Many people work from home, and while some can get away with wearing PJs all day, others like to dress the part. If you’re in your jammies most of the day, you might not realize how unproductive your home office is. Fortunately, there are ways to maximize productivity when working from home so you feel more professional than ever.
1. Make sure it has a door
Just because this room is devoted to work doesn’t mean that anyone should be able to saunter in without knocking first. A door will help keep out distractions and even give off an aura of professionalism (at least that’s what I tell my husband).
2. Keep it clean
It’s only natural to keep a few things lying around. But you should try to use as much space as possible for work and storage so that your home office doesn’t feel cluttered. Put items that you don’t need on a regular basis in cabinets or closets where they can be easily stowed away.
A messy desk is just asking for trouble. If you’re having trouble keeping things organized, consider investing in some desktop accessories like file holders and paper trays. If the mess is out of control, move excess items out of your office into another room where they’ll be easier to manage.
3. Make use of organizational tools
The best way to stay productive when working from home is by using good organizational tools. If this is done, you will be more efficient and have less clutter on your desk. Also, make sure that all documents/files stored are in accordance with your company’s standards.
A big part of keeping yourself organized at work involves thinking carefully about what you bring into the office with you every day. You can do this ahead of time, or as they become necessary throughout your day:
For instance, you should organize your accessories. It might not mean a lot right now, but a week or two going through your home office and getting rid of any accessories that are broken or lost their luster will go a long way towards keeping things organized.
4. Invest in Good Furniture
A big part of proper workplace organization is having the right furniture. If you’re working from home and don’t have a desk to call your own, then it’s time to invest in one. Make sure to get one that has enough space for all of your daily essentials and can be easily accessed without creating clutter.
Then once you have the perfect desk, try adding some decorative touches like family photos or potted plants to create a more personalized feel.
It is also important to have comfortable chairs that are adjustable so everyone who works there will be able to sit comfortably at their desks when they need to.
It is important that you choose good quality office furniture because this will increase productivity.
6. Keep Other People Out
When you’re working at home alone, you might want to put up a ‘do not disturb’ sign on your office door. This way people will know that when the door is closed, it’s best not to walk in and interrupt you. After all, trying to get work done with other people around can be distracting and frustrating.
7. Create a Distraction-Free Environment
Since there are fewer distractions in the comfort of your own home than in an office building, make sure that there aren’t any sources of distraction hanging around when you need to buckle down.
Try turning off electronics like TVs and radios, locking up pets/children outside or sending them out for a play date, and avoiding social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to help cut down on distractions.
8. Go Natural for a Better Mood
There are some very simple and popular tricks for keeping your mood up and making sure you stay productive even when working from home. Try taking a walk outside, starting a home-based workout or gardening session, or catching up with friends and neighbors over coffee to make the time more enjoyable.
If you work at night, try opening the blinds and getting some natural light in your office space. It will make you feel better throughout the day.
9. Make sure it has good lighting
No one wants to work in a dark cave all day long or squint to see what they’re typing. Take some time to assess which areas of your home office are getting the appropriate amount of light, and then adjust as necessary. Are you sitting in front of your window? Marlow & Finch roller blinds are just one type of product you can use for this exact issue.
Roller blinds allow you to block out the sun and focus on work, but also don’t dim your room so much you can’t focus. They’re the easiest and cheapest way to achieve optimal brightness.
10. Get Your Family Involved
If your family is included in your daily ‘home office’ activities (maybe they play an integral part in conducting business operations), then why not try finding a good workspace that the whole family can use? This way everybody will know that this area is for work and it won’t be so easy to turn into a playroom.
11. Set Reasonable Hours
Since you’re working from home, you might find it more difficult than usual to set boundaries and stick with them. To help keep yourself accountable, try scheduling regular check-ins throughout the day with yourself (and your boss) as well as sticking to a reasonable number of hours between waking up and heading to bed.
Conclusion
Working from home sounds like the perfect situation, but it isn’t necessarily for everybody. If you can work well independently and don’t mind shutting yourself up inside an office for hours on end, then working at home might be right for you. But if you feel that your productivity is taking a hit or that your tiny home office is too distracting, then it might be time to consider an office space that’s a little more conventional.
