The right space is essential if you’re going to get a job done. Knowing you’re set up with the right tools in the right setting can help you work in a space that works for you instead of against you.
Here are a few tips for making your home office all that it can be.
Remove Distractions
As much as possible, keep your personal life out of your home office. This isn’t necessarily completely possible, as we’ve all been in moments where personal lives and professional lives clash. But some practical steps are possible. This means that you should hide the bills. Keep the book you’ve been reading hidden away. Don’t let yourself watch TV or eat at weird times. The more you can remove distractions, the more you can keep work at work.
Get Comfortable…but Not Too Comfortable
Pay attention to times of the day that are harder for you to work. Maybe you get tired at 2 in the afternoon or get antsy after your morning coffee. The trick here is to not feel like you’re stuck in your chair while also not giving in to the temptation to wander aimlessly. Remember that if you were going in to the office, there would be times that you’d get up and walk to a colleague's office or to the break room. There would also probably not be a television playing in the background or pajamas being worn.
Take a Lunch Break
Not much else to say on this one. Take the time away from your workspace. It will make a difference in your engagement levels throughout the rest of your day.
Commute
Be sure that “going to work” is part of your day. That doesn’t mean you have to drive around the block and then clock in, but it should mean that you intentionally start your work day and end your work day.
Invest in Your Space
Having a space that feels like you is important. It doesn’t have to be a massive spend and you don’t need to paint it a different color or put up cheesy inspirational workplace art. It just means that a space in your home where you’ll be spending several hours a day should get some attention. We impartially and enthusiastically recommend something like this.
As long as you’re working from home, you may always have to fight the temptation to go wash your car or take an afternoon snooze. You might always be tempted to get up and stare blankly into the refrigerator. But if you can make a few steps to make your space work well for you, you may find your space works for you…instead of against you!