To get the most out of your digital work hours, creating an ideal work-from-home environment is essential. It can help you increase your productivity, avoid interruptions, and reduce stress. Here are some ways to make working from home much easier.
Make Sure You Have the Internet Speed You Need
If you’re wondering, “What internet speed do I need?” you’re not alone. It’s a good idea to choose the fastest speed possible if your company expects you to participate in video calls or upload large files. If any of your family members play online games or stream movies often, you likely have enough speed already. If you plan to use a laptop with Wi-Fi, test your signal in the room where you plan to work. You may need to use a signal extender or move your router.
Put Together a Long-Term Office Space
Find a place for your home office that’s far away from distractions like loud noises, pets, and family members. For example, buying a desk and setting up in a guest bedroom could make working much easier than sitting at your kitchen table or another high-traffic area.
After you pick out your room, set up your work area with everything you’ll need for your meetings and work. Creating and maintaining a comfortable area and routine is a must for working from home long-term. If possible, only use your workspace for work. Let your family members know that when you’re in that spot, they shouldn’t disturb you.
Set a Schedule That Lets You Work and Live
Schedule your work hours carefully, and include breaks and a bit of extra time in case you need to do additional work. Let supervisors and team members know that you don’t want emails or phone calls outside your work hours unless there’s an emergency. Before and after each workday, spend about an hour relaxing or doing something fun. People working in offices use this time to commute. Choosing another activity can help you transition mentally between work and home.
During work, avoid procrastination. Falling behind is often easy, and many companies use webcams or tracking software to make sure that people work during designated hours.
Add High-Quality Audio and Video
The right music can set the tone for your workday and get you into a productive psychological space. High-quality speaker setups are fairly inexpensive, and you can easily connect one to your netbook or PC. You can get a good pair of noise-canceling headphones as well. Find reviews of hot products for your audio needs at Bring in the Noise.
It’s also a good idea to invest in a monitor or television that can connect to your primary work device. With a larger screen, you can sit further away from the display and still view small details. That way, you can avoid the dry eyes that often come with using a smaller screen. A quality camera and a good microphone can help you make a much better impression during video calls or conferences.
Choose Comfortable, Ergonomic Furniture
You’re going to be working in your home office a lot, so make sure that your seat is comfortable. However, you should avoid furniture that’s so relaxing that it makes you want to take a nap. Choose a keyboard and mouse with ergonomic features as well.
Follow these tips to make your home office comfortable and productive. You can also reduce stress and make your work easier.
