Working from home can be very efficient and maximize productivity when you have the office space and equipment needed to be effective. In the case of an unexpected shift to working remotely here are a few quick tips to help make do and increase success in any space you have available.
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How to Set Up a Home Office
Typically transitioning to working from a home office comes with time to plan. As we face the pandemic of the coronavirus changes to many policies are happening very rapidly. By taking some time to plan you can be successful at juggling the changes and maximize productivity!
Knowing that unplanned decisions to shift to working from home is in the best interest of public health we must recognize that the set-up likely won’t be perfect. It may not even be optimal, but with a little thought, you can still make it work while maintaining professionalism!
Discipline is key to making a successful change and creating a new habit. Begin by establishing boundaries like when will work begin and end. Using the same hours that you are already accustomed to working from a traditional office may work well.
If kids are unexpectedly around due to school or child care cancellations while it’s time to work you may have to shift to doing more work early in the morning or later at night. Know that many people have been doing it for years, it is not easy, but you are not alone!
Designate A Home Office Space
We can all picture a perfect home office out of a fancy magazine or off of Pinterest. Here’s the reality, I know a lot of people who work from home and I haven’t seen a single one of us with a perfect space. So let’s think through and address the things you can control and don’t worry about the rest!
When I began a small business where I work from home nearly full-time creating a CLEAN space was critical to my success. It doesn’t matter how much your furniture costs you can be sure that it’s clean.
A clean space helps clear the mind and eliminate the distraction of clutter. I’ve always been more comfortable using clean equipment too. I’ve always wiped my workspace down weekly with a dishrag with hot, soapy water and my technology tools down with disinfectant wipes.
Take some basics steps to give yourself peace of mind and eliminate distractions. Some of my friends sit in the corner and face the wall in an effort to focus. Others that may have to jump on video chats frequently sit with their back close to a wall.
You may have to try multiple locations until you find a spot that minimizes distractions and works best for you.
I have converted a typical dining room space into my home office. I move the table around as needed and have a desk in the corner. When my kids are at school and in childcare sometimes I take my laptop and move around throughout the day to other areas in my house.
Even a small 10′ x 10′ area can be used to make due if necessary. I have a friend who has worked for a long time in a corner of her bedroom like this, and she’s super successful! She does professional video calls daily and no one is the wiser. People only know what you show them and what they hear.
If you like this article you may also find my notes
on Virtual Meeting Etiquette helpful.
Equipment Needed To Work From Home
Internet, a computer and cell phone are critical to my success as a remote worker. I’m making the following recommendations assuming you already have these tools. Here are some additional supplies that make my home office work well for me.
Order a computer monitor stand to lift the height of your computer screen. I have two and they help my posture, help prevent hunching over and squinting my eyes. A stack of textbooks or box that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of your computer can work for a short time too.
If funds allow getting a supportive and ergonomically designed office chair can greatly improve comfort and productivity. I have one very similar to this chair that works great for computer work and video chats or virtual meetings. Are you be able to borrow a nice chair from your regular office if the situation is short term?
I know it may seem so last decade, but I keep a notepad (with the spiral on top) that I handwrite summaries of all of my business calls, including date and time. Writing the key points helps me to reinforce the key points and action items. This can be done electronically if desired. Tracking phone calls also helps me track productivity over time.
A weekly planner is always in my workspace. I write down my priorities and to-do list at the beginning of each week and each day and I like to physically cross them off the list when the items are done. I can look back and know what was accomplished on what day.
When background noise is a possibility, invest in a noise cancelling headset. I prefer to purchase a new Blue Parrot, but refurbished versions work fine too if you are unsure how much you will really need the tool. I have been doing Virtual Farm Tours with farmers who are around loud equipment and animals and this headset does well to block out that noise as well as the wind outside.
A regular pair of headphones with a cord may help prevent others in your home from hearing the people on your computer video chat, but they are unlikely to be noise canceling and block out any of your background noise.
I have always worked in the past to arrange child care when I have professional phone calls or Zoom video meetings, but global pandemics are rapidly changing school and childcare schedules. So if you don’t have kids, please extend grace to people who are trying to learn how to work from home and balance child care.
Establishing Boundaries
Think about others who may be affected by your change in workspace. Be sure to share your boundaries and expectations with others who may be in your home.
Regularly communicating your schedule both verbally, in writing and electronically may be needed as well. My husband and parents are farmers, so they will occasionally pop-in the house throughout the day….or stick their head in the door and yell. Knowing this I try to put a note on the door to give them a warning if I have a video call planned.
Sometimes I send my husband an electronic calendar invite when I have an important meeting. When he gets the invite it generates reminders on his phone so he is in the know to be quiet when he comes in the house and to avoid calling during that time.
Notes on the door may also help prevent unexpected delivery of people from ringing the doorbell which can be embarrassing mid-video call.
When plans change last minute I turn cartoons on a couple of rooms away for our preschooler and give her a snack and fresh cup of milk before the virtual meeting begins. I always hope that she doesn’t yell, “I need WIPED,” while on a call. But you can’t prepare for everything.
Of course, I communicate a plan and expectations to others prior to virtual meetings, but young children often forget what you tell them or get bored before the meeting ends. Again please extend grace to people who are trying to learn the ropes. We’re all juggling new and unexpected challenges right now!
As you wrap up work for the day be sure to step away from your office and make some Taco Meatloaf or an Amazing Chocolate Cake. Hopefully, drive time can be replaced by cooking some of our Farmhouse Favorite Recipes!
Trial & Error
There is a learning curve with every new activity. Since we may not have choices about changes in our lives right now the best we can do is keep a positive attitude, jump-in and give it a try. The journey will not be perfect, we will struggle and make mistakes. So make a choice to control and improve what you can and keep moving forward.
I have made mistakes on my journey of beginning to work from home, but I have always made a commitment to continual personal and professional improvement. With an attitude like this we are sure to find opportunities for success!
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