Lessons from the Pandemic - Lesson #1 Your Home Office Matters
We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and our work habits in the last year. Most of us know that as work from home continues, so does the search for the ideal home office.
Initially working from home was thought to be short-term, so many home offices became a “this will do for now” solution. As the months went by, some organizations decided to permanently close offices. And now, some companies that are re-opening offices are permitting employees to spend time where they work best. For many, this makes finding a long-term home office solution more pressing. It is time to quit living (or working) out of a suitcase, and to invest in your home office.
What to look for in a permanent home office space?
An area free from distractions. Put enough distance between you and the television, running appliances, and busy street noise. Space limitations make it difficult to isolate? Pick up some noise-cancelling headphones to help you stay focused throughout the day.
Invest in comfort. A chair and desk that fit your work style and keep you in good shape are the most important tools in your home office. Ergonomic solutions will help to prevent fatigue or injury, ensuring that you’re comfortable during those long video calls. Speaking of video calls…
Lighting is key. Proper lighting helps prevent eyestrain and provides a better appearance for live video calls. Best practices for lighting and framing are easy to implement and just an internet search away.
Reduce clutter. More clutter means less productivity. Being able to grab what you need when you need it is important. Being able to grab what you need without flooding your laptop with coffee is critical. Small shelves, multiple hooks, and overhead storage are all helpful here.
Bring the outdoors in with window access and bit of nature or green plants. Better yet—take work outdoors! Mobile devices make it possible to include your outdoor living spaces as part of your home office.
Make your space known. Your kids and partner didn’t use your desk at work to make crafts or mix up a marinade. Ask that your home work space be respected as an office.
And finally - this is a two-part tip - invest in plenty of cords. No more moving cords from room to room or for various uses. Once you have a permanent home office space, hide those cords and keep them tidy with creative solutions.
You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your home office, so make sure you can feel a difference between that space and the spaces you go “home” to at the end of the day.