Everyone wants to be more productive, this is tricky when you work at home, so you need a good home office setup to boost your productivity.
We can’t change how many hours are in the day, and most of us will always need at least seven hours of sleep. As a result, often, the key to being successful is finding a way to make the most out of the hours you do have.
In general, a lot of things go into this, and most of them have to do with your personal habits. Determining yourself so that you can close Facebook or shut the TV off is the key to getting everything done on your to-do list.
But productivity is not all about soft skills. You can do some things to change your environment so that it’s more conducive for productivity. Yet most people, especially those who run a business from their home, haven’t spent the time for a proper home office setup so that it can boost their success, and if this is you, then you’re being held back. So to help you get the most out of each day, consider the following ways to set up your home office.
How to do your home office setup to boost productivity
Choose the Right Spot
The first thing to consider when doing your home office setup is its location. It’s important you choose a room with the right lighting. Most people do not think of this, but it can have a huge impact on how you work.
In fact, people who work in offices that are mostly lit with natural light tend to be more productive than those stuck in a space with nothing but artificial lighting.
Another thing to consider is how much the sun will affect the room’s temperature. Spaces with lots of direct sunlight can get warm in the summer months.
No one likes working in a hot office, so this will either cause your A/C bill to rise or your productivity to drop. The temperature of the room is important when considering your home office setup.
The best thing you can do is choose rooms facing north, as these get enough light to brighten the room but not enough to significantly affect the temperature.
If you really can’t avoid the direct sunlight and it’s affecting the atmosphere in the room, then invest in some quality blinds and curtains to help give you more control over the light in your office.
Make sure it has a Door
This one is especially true if you have roommates or children. You’d always be disturbed by them because there’s nothing that says “I’m working. Don’t bother me” like a closed and shut door.
If you do have children, you may not be able to be as strict with this, as you need to be attentive to them even though you’re working. But if they’re old enough to be on their own, you can use this to establish a boundary so that they know not to disturb you when you’re working.
In your home office setup, apart from keeping distractions away, having a door in your office is also an important way to get yourself into a more productive mood. Think about it.
If you go into your office and can still hear the TV in the other room or your roommates talking in the kitchen, then you’re going to remain connected to whatever is going on outside. However, if you have a door you can shut, this helps close you off, putting your mind in a position to focus solely on the task or tasks at hand.
If you don’t have an office with a door, start thinking about which room in your house could be cleaned out and converted into a workstation. You may want to consider some mild construction for those who don’t have an open room.
It may be a bit expensive, but if you’re planning on working from home for a good period, the expense will be well worth it. And if it’s your primary place of business, then you may be able to claim it on your tax returns, helping to soften the blow of a renovation project.
Pay Attention to Ergonomics
In our home office setup, we often use whatever furniture we have or can find. And while this is a good way to set up an office without having to spend a bunch of money, you need to make sure you’re paying enough attention to how this furniture will affect your body.
Bad chairs, poor computer placement, and a lack of motion can cause uncomfortable strains and pains, quickly hindering your productivity. It’ll either become too painful to work, or you’ll have to get up so often to stretch that you won’t get into a good groove with your work. In your home office setup, comfort is essential.
Ergonomics is a whole science, but follow these general guidelines to make sure your office is set up correctly:
Simple ergonomics tips
• Make sure your computer screen is at eye level. Having to look down at it for a long period will cause neck pain that will make it uncomfortable to work.
• Sit so that you can put your feet firmly on the ground. If you’re too high or too low, your body will be forced into uncomfortable positions throughout the day, which can grind on you.
• Set yourself up so that you can sit back comfortably in your chair and still reach everything on your desk
• Use an ergonomic keyboard, and make sure your mouse is located as close to your keyboard as possible so that you don’t need to reach for it
• If needed, invest in a second or larger monitor, as this will allow you to see what you’re working on without too much effort.
Keep the Clutter Out
Your office needs to be used mainly for work to promote productivity properly. If you use it as the place to do everything at home, watch a movie on your laptop, chat, watch TV, etc., it’s going to be difficult to stay focused when working. You may see something that will remind you of something else, and this will cause your mind to drift –distraction.
As a result, it’s important to keep your office as de-cluttered as possible. If you absolutely must use the space for other things, consider getting some filing cabinets or folders to keep this stuff out of sight or mind when working on something else. Sanity is important in your home office setup.
Follow a Strict Routine
Another way to balance is to set up a schedule. If you need to go through and pay bills, mark off a few hours on your calendar to do so that you can forget about it while you’re working and stay focused.
You’ll also want to try and keep the space as clean as possible. No one likes to work in a dirty office, so make sure the windows aren’t streaky, the floor is clean, and the desk is dust-free, as all of this will help make it easier to lock in and get done what you need to get done.
Tap Into Your Most Productive Self
Your home office setup alone won’t make you a productive person. But if you combine these tips with a dedicated effort to develop more productive habits, you’ll soon find that you can get more out of the time you spend working, making it much easier to accomplish everything on your to-do list.
About the Author:
Kevin is the founder and CEO of Vast Bridges, a customer acquisition and lead generation service based in Jacksonville. Fla. His passion is helping business owners connect to new customers and grow their companies by developing and implementing a strategic vision. And in addition to Vast Bridges, Kevin also runs Broadband Search, a service dedicated to helping people find the best internet service provider in their area.
