Working from home (WFH) is here to stay. Whether you love it or hate it, chances are you will be given the option to embrace this trend more often than ever before, as the aftereffects of the pandemic keep teaching us valuable lessons about productivity.
If you expect to continue doing your work from home, it's high time to create a proper home office. This is a space that you'll enjoy and that will be a healthy nook to spend your working day in.
Let's explore some tips.
Divide and Conquer
First, separate your WFH space from your living space. Working from your bed may be a very comfortable solution, but you'll soon start to find it rather frustrating.
Your mind needs to be able to associate certain areas with relaxation and others with productivity. If you keep sending it mixed signals, you can't blame it when it can't focus when you want it to.
Something as simple as a designated desk area (or even a specific spot at the dining table) can be all you need.
Invest in the Desk
As you will be spending a lot of your time at this desk, it needs to be a great one. Ideally, you want to get a standing desk, as it will provide the option of not sitting around all day.
We all know how detrimental a sedentary lifestyle can be. Something as simple as spending an hour or so standing while working every day can improve your health.
If you are getting a regular desk, make sure the height is perfectly aligned with your chair and that you feel comfortable while typing. You don't want to keep straining your wrists.
Make Sure It's Lit
When choosing the location of your home office (or home desk), make sure you settle on an area that gets as much natural light as possible. Ideally, you want the desk to be facing a window. It's also wise to get a nice set of curtains that will block you from your neighbor's view but still let plenty of daylight in.
If you can't secure window access or prefer to work in the evenings, invest in a couple of lamps. You need a bright overhead lamp that will ensure you don't have to squint and a desk lamp as well. The latter will throw some additional light, plus it will provide a bit more of an ambient feel.
Keep Your Space Tidy
If you are not a fan of the "tidy house, tidy mind" saying, I'm sorry to have to inflict it on you again. In short, if you do your best to keep your working space tidy and clean up after yourself every day, it will become a much more pleasant space to spend time in.
This means not only dealing with any empty mugs and plates but also filing any papers and moving your pens, chargers, earbuds, hand creams, and the like. Lastly, make sure that no dust settles on your tech.
Let the Air in
A stuffy space will not help your focus, so ensure there is a window nearby. If it's too noisy outside, make sure you open it when you get up from your desk to take a break.
If you can, open your windows for an hour or so before you get to work. That way, you'll step into a fresh space and dive right into your most productive self.
Remove Distractions
Finally, you also want to make sure none of those pesky WFH distractions are readily available and within arm's reach. If you can see the TV from where you're sitting, make sure it's off and place the remote as far away from yourself as possible.
The same goes for any books, the fridge, your phone, the dishes, and everything else that can distract you. Organize your breaks so that you can spend time with some of these distractions, but when it's work time, stay clear.
Erect a little curtain around yourself if you need to. It may sound absolutely ludicrous, but it can help.
Final Thoughts
Creating a space that is healthy to work from doesn't have to be time- or energy-consuming. Aim for that balance of productive and pleasant, and you won't go far wrong. You'll be able to take your career to the next level from the comfort of your own home.
This guest post was authored by Sarah Kaminski
Sarah is a life enjoyer, positivity seeker, and a curiosity enthusiast. She is passionate about an eco-friendly lifestyle and adores her cats. She is an avid reader who loves to travel when time a llows.
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.
