10 Tips for Organizing Your Home Office Workspace for Remote Work
The office of a flexible employee or remote worker is not the typical cubicle or a small window office. Since COVID-19 hit the world, most employees were forced to work from home. Today, it’s becoming more common to see people working from home. Most organizations have employees who have no space on the premises. The ability to work away from the office has led to digital nomadism. This is where employees travel to different parts of the world as they work.
While remote work has lots of advantages such as freedom of movement and flexible schedules, it comes with a few disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the lack of boundaries between work and life since there is no physical workplace. If you work from home, it’s important to have a home office workspace. By having a specific location to complete your tasks, you’ll minimize distractions, have a healthy work-life balance, and boost your productivity. In this article, we are going to discuss ten tips for organizing your home office workspace for remote work.
1. Invest in the right equipment
To work from home in a professional way, here are some of the equipment that you’ll need:
- Ergonomic chair
- Desk
- Good lighting
- Calendar
- Stable internet connection
- Organization system
- Plants, candles, or other calming elements
- Notepad and pen
- A compact all-in-one computer
Adjusting to your home office workspace can be difficult if you were used to the office environment. However, things will be easier if you are motivated and strategic and get the support that you need from your manager. Your environment plays an important role in helping you transition to telecommuting. You need to start by creating a conducive environment that boosts your productivity and performance.
2. Create a routine
One of the best ways to ensure that you get the work done at home is by creating a routine. A routine is a system of repeating specific behaviors until they become habits. Once you’ve formed a habit, you won’t have to think about whether you’ll do it or not. In short, it’s all about automating specific habits. As you set up your remote office, ensure that you get help from CV writers to get time to choose a location that is free of distractions. Having a routine will help you save a lot of time and energy in the long run. And you’ll achieve your career goals quickly and easily.
3. Organize your space
To avoid work-life imbalance, you need to keep your workspace clutter free and organized. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by clearing your desk in the evening before you check out. Failing to do this will interrupt your flow the next day. How you start your day greatly determines whether you’ll achieve your goals or not. You should also eliminate distractions in your environment. Put away your phone, dirty dishes, and toys that are left on the floor. Doing all these in the evening will help you start your next day well and stay focused in the long run.
4. Good lighting is key
One of the leading issues affecting remote workers is loneliness. If you were used to working in the office, it can be difficult to adjust to the silent environment at home. Due to this, you need to make your home workspace as pleasant as possible for you to enjoy staying there. You can make the most out of natural light to improve your space and health. Natural light has been proven to improve mood and productivity levels. Exposing yourself to sunlight relieves stress and prevents you from damaging your eyes. If you need to work in the office, you should spruce up your resume apply for your dream job.
5. Invest in a distraction-free phone
While it might seem like a waste of money when you already have a smartphone, an office phone can help you in many ways. Investing in it is one of the best ways to separate your work and home life. If you spend a lot of time interacting with clients and colleagues, it’s better to invest in an office phone. Your smartphone is a huge distraction. Therefore, staying away from it during work hours will pay off in spades in the long run.
6. Take a break
One of the hardest things that remote workers do is take short breaks regularly. As you work from home, it’s easy to work for extended periods without taking a break. And this is not good for you. Your body and mind need short breaks to rest and recover lost energies. During your breaks, you can consider doing fun things such as chatting with a friend, watching your favorite TV show, meditating, or taking a walk.
7. Stick to office hours
You need to set office hours and stick to them. While it can be tempting to start working in the afternoon or complete a project after dinner, sticking to office hours will help you avoid overturning your life upside down and keep you sane. Ensure that your co-workers and clients know when you’ll be answering their calls and responding to messages. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean that you are always open to anything.
8. Invest in a standing desk
Various studies have shown that investing in a standing desk boosts productivity and provides other health benefits. If you spend a lot of time in your home workspace, a standing desk is a great investment that will serve you for years. Another great alternative is the exercise ball. You can strengthen your core and avoid sore feet by investing in a large exercise ball. These two pieces of equipment will boost your productivity and improve your health.
9. Create a playlist
Most workspaces have a playlist to improve the focus and productivity of workers. Thanks to rapid technological advancement, you can easily create a playlist in the comfort of your home in a few seconds. Choose tracks that you enjoy listening to but aren’t distracting. You can always add or remove some songs from your playlist to boost productivity.
10. Wrap cables and cords
If you have electric outlets in your home workspace, you should consider wrapping cables and cords. Failure to do so can lead to serious accidents and damage to gadgets. You should wrap all cables and tuck them out of your way. You can also consider investing in wireless gadgets to minimize clutter or at least consider buying or making a charging cord organizer.
Conclusion
One of the easiest ways to boost your productivity and performance is by organizing your workspace. If you were used to the office environment, it can be hard to adjust to your home office. However, following all the tips that we’ve covered in this article will help you enjoy your workspace at home and live a balanced life.