Remote work can be a difficult transition for many people; the lack of structure and excess of distractions play a pivotal role in plenty of workers finding the situation challenging. But there are ways to improve your home office to retain focus, increase productivity, and keep your motivation throughout the day.
Consider what you’re already doing and think about how your methods have been working thus far, including where they fall short and what practices need to be eliminated.
Get Organized
Before anything, you need to take stock of the organizational situation in your office. If you have adequate desk space, drawers, and filing cabinets, keeping a clean area may not be a problem. But for those workers who have found themselves with no such tools to help facilitate organization, a buildup of clutter is more than likely.
Keep Documents Together
Organization doesn’t have to involve large filing cabinets that take up space you don’t have; it can mean small folders, documents stapled together, or cleaning off accumulated clutter that has nothing to do with work. Cleaning up can make your work seem less daunting by getting rid of the excess items you don’t need and properly arranging what you do.
Stable Connection
Remote work is predicated on an internet connection; without that, you won’t be able to work. Downloading documents, uploading files, and logging on to video meetings all put a strain on your bandwidth, and if there is too much stress on the system, you’ll experience severe slowdowns.
Determine Your Best Connection
Outside of upgrading your internet package with your ISP, there are methods you can take to have a more stable connection. Think about installing an Ethernet cable to your computer; while they may not be the most convenient, they do offer faster speeds than what Wi-Fi is typically capable of.
Determine What Is Most Convenient for You
Or, if you’re not willing to sacrifice the convenience of a wireless connection, look into ways to boost your Wi-Fi signal for a more reliable connection. Wireless signal has trouble penetrating solid walls and objects, and if your router is separate from your computer, you may see a decrease in performance from your internet.
Focus on Lighting and Color
Often overlooked, the light fixtures you install and the paint you choose can affect how you work and your mood throughout the day. Colors like yellow, blue, and green all tend to help people focus on their work and provide a calming atmosphere. As for lights, LEDs emanate a smooth and even glow that doesn’t strain the eyes. This stress on the eyes, which is common with older bulbs, can lead to headaches and other physical distractions.
Don’t Hold Yourself Back
Many of the ways you can improve your home office are things you can implement yourself relatively quickly. Don’t wait to fix distractions and irritants that can result in loss of productivity or motivation. The sooner you make the necessary changes, the faster you can enjoy your work and free yourself of a lot of stress.
