Have you found yourself working from home for an indeterminate amount of time?
Are you still working from your dining room table or off the corner of your kitchen counter?
Does your current home office space work for you for the long term?
Work From Home Series
The ongoing global pandemic continues to keep many of us at home and the future continues to look uncertain. What will our offices look like in 3 months, 6 months or a year from now?
What we do know is that working from home is the new reality.
For employers, working from home can boost productivity, reduce turnover, and lower organizational costs, while employees enjoy perks like flexibility and the lack of a commute.
So now is the perfect time to create a super organized and highly productive home office space to set you up for long-term success.
Here are my proven organizational and productivity methods to help you get organized, stay productive and create a balanced routine to crush your work projects all from the comfort of your own home office.
Read on if you want to transform your work from home office into an organized, functional and highly productive space that inspires you!
Organizing & Productivity Solutions: Your Physical Space
Set Up Your Physical Space
If you don’t have a home office already set up, pick a location in your home that is the most conducive.
If possible, it should be a private space dedicated just for work where you can have peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the household, kids, TV, and where distractions can be kept to a minimum.
Proper lighting is also critical. Access to natural light during the day is best but if you are working where there are no windows or at night, good overhead lighting with a task light for your desk work surface is critical to avoid eye strain.
Having a clear desk or table surface to place your computer or laptop on plus a notepad and a few basic supplies close at hand is all you need on top of your work surface.
Basic Ergonomics
Your work from home space needs to be set up so that you will be physically comfortable working in this area long-term.
Arrange your workspace with proper ergonomics in mind so you don't end up experiencing back, wrist or neck issues.
Reducing the chance of injury and being comfortable allows you to stay productive and focused.
- The weight of your arms should be supported at all times.
- Your monitor should be at eye level with the top of your computer screen to keep the weight of your head supported.
- Your monitor should be at least an arms length away.
- Minimize glare on your computer screen and give your eyes a break periodically by looking away.
- Use proper lumbar support to avoid slouching.
- Avoid leaning and reaching to get close to your work.
- Use headphones or your speaker when talking on the phone.
- Your feet should reach the floor with your legs at a 90 degree angle. If not, use a footrest or lower your keyboard or chair.
Declutter
If your work environment is disorganized and cluttered, declutter your workspace.
Solid productivity practices rely on creating an environment that is favourable for efficiency and effectiveness. When your space is cluttered, this actually hinders your brain from functioning at its best.
Start with removing any obvious trash. Clear away any unnecessary clutter from the top of your work surface and only store on top of your desk what you use daily.
Start with removing any obvious trash. Clear away any unnecessary clutter from the top of your work surface and only store on top of your desk what you use daily.
For organizing your papers set up 4 file folders or boxes - 1 for important & urgent, 1 for important & not urgent, 1 for not important and 1 for agonizing.
Keep a notepad handy as you sort through your papers and write down any to-do's as you go so you don't get sidetracked.
Group similar items together then put them away.
Group similar items together then put them away.
Daily items go on top of the desk, items you use several times a week go in a desk drawer close by, items used once a week or once a month can go in a cabinet close by, items used a few times a year can go in the least accessible cabinet and rarely or never used items can be archived.
Tidy, clean and disinfect your space regularly to keep clutter and germs at bay.
Tidy, clean and disinfect your space regularly to keep clutter and germs at bay.
This will keep you happier and healthier while working long hours in your home work space.
Supplies
Invest in your home office. Request or purchase the equipment you need - monitor, keyboard, mouse, a good chair, printer, software, dedicated phone line, internet connection, stationary supplies, etc.
Find out if your company has a budget for WFH equipment? Do they require you to have a separate computer for work versus personal?
As this is your home office, add pleasant scents, plants and motivating images to make it a space you enjoy and are inspired being in.
Work from Home "Homework"
- Declutter your space!
- Set yourself up with all of the supplies you need.
- Check your ergonomics to prevent injury.
Work From Home Plan
We offer a personalized and professionally prepared Work From Home Plan for only $497+GST!
Your Work From Home Plan includes:
- 60-minute virtual "in-home" workspace assessment
- Personalized 10 point organizing & productivity plan
- 90-minute virtual implementation session
- 30-minute virtual evaluation call
My Gift to You
Click HERE to download our FREE Making Work From Home Work guide.
More Work From Home Blog Posts
The second blog in our Work from Home Series focused on Your Digital Space.
The third blog in our Work from Home Series focused on Managing Distractions.
The fourth blog in our Work from Home Series focused on Getting It Done.
The fifth blog in our Work from Series focused on Routines for Success.
Book Your Discovery Call Today!
Click HERE book your FREE discovery call directly in my calendar to see if we are a good fit to work together.
We promise your personalized Work From Home Plan will transform your spaces from frustration to freedom!
Find your freedom.
Live your life.
Noreen