Working from home can be both a blessing and a challenge, it’s all about your approach, and of course your attitude.
To help you make the most of remote life, let’s explore 10 ways to improve your remote working setup.
1. The right equipment
To improve your work from home setup you’ll need to ensure that you have the right equipment. You’ll want a powerful laptop or computer, perhaps a second monitor.
If you don’t have a second monitor but you do have an IPad, you can use this device and the SplashTop app. If your machine is running slowly, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting to fix the issue. A few of the common reasons for a slow running Mac include:
- There’s minimal space left on your hard drive.
- Your RAM is low.
- You’ve got too many desktop files.
- Your Mac is infected with a computer virus.
2. An ergonomic workstation
To protect your health, you’ll need to invest in an ergonomic workstation. An ergonomic chair is specially made to support the spine in its natural position, and stop you from obtaining an injury.
Ergonomic chairs include features such as adjustable seat height, seat tilt, lumbar support and backrest, back recline, and armrests.
Alternatively, you might prefer a standing desk. Using a standing desk has many health benefits. A few benefits include lowered risk of weight gain and reduced back pain.
Research has also suggested that standing desks can reduce your risk of heart disease, and weight gain while lowering your blood sugar levels. For more info about standing desks, check out Ergon Life.
3. Consider a separate space
Working remotely can be a challenge when you’re using a leisure space, for example, if you’re working from your living room. If you have the means, consider creating a workspace that’s separate from your living space.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many people create backyard offices, building a large shed or summer house, to use as an office space.
A backyard office can be a helpful way to separate your work life from your home life and increase your work from home productivity.
4. Organizational tools
There are plenty of organizational tools that you can use to make remote working life easier. These are a few of the top organization software tools for 2021:
- Trello
This tool is a project management tool that teams can use together. The software uses Kanban boards to represent different projects. It has many features to help you communicate, collaborate, and check on project status. PM tools are a fantastic way to get organized and stay on top of your tasks. - Evernote
With the help of this note-taking tool you can take digital notes, and track your various work tasks. You can take notes in any format that you prefer whether it’s video, audio, pictures, or text. Another cool feature is that you can scan any document you like, and share these with ease.
5. Improved cybersecurity
If you’re working from home, you’ll want to ensure that you have robust cyber security systems in place. Cybercrime attacks rose dramatically throughout the pandemic, and we can only expect this to continue. To secure your home network, there are plenty of things that you can do:
- Homework Network Security
Using a home network security system can help you to protect your network. It’s both a device and a software that screens network traffic for security risks. It stops breaches on smart devices, IoT devices, and keeps bots away from your network. - Antivirus Software
To secure your network you’ll want to invest in antivirus software and anti-malware software. With robust protection, you’ll keep your work and personal data safe.
6. Healthy adjustments
Making a few healthy adjustments is a great way to improve your work-from-home setup. You might like to invest in an air purifier to remove pollutants and toxins from the indoor air.
Another great addition to a home office is house plants, these are a great way to raise endorphin levels and increase productivity.
7. Regular communication
When you’re working from home it’s important to keep up regular communication with your team. You can do this with the help of video conferencing software, or project management software.
Schedule time for one-to-ones, and team check-ins. Not all members of your team will thrive working from home, and so it’s important to support one another.
8. Productivity gadgets
There are plenty of productivity gadgets that you can use to improve your work-from-home setup. One example is the ‘Thunderbolt 3 dock’, with the help of this device you can switch your mouse, storage, Ethernet and display, from one device to another computer.
All you need to do is switch one cable, and you’re away. An under desk bike is another great gadget that can help to boost productivity levels. Research has shown that light exercise while working can improve both energy and productivity.
9. Working week self-care
To improve your work-from-home week it’s important to practice self-care. The concept of self-care can be practiced in many different ways. Here are some ideas you might like to use:
- Take regular breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout.
- Include micro-self care moments in your day, (from yoga to meditation or reading a book).
- Prep your meals for the week including lots of healthy snacks and lunches.
- Take yourself away from the house during your breaks, (even just for a quick walk outside).
10. Set boundaries
When you’re working remotely you’ll need to set boundaries to help you succeed. These boundaries could relate to the other people you live with. For example, you might set rules about when it’s okay for your spouse or your kids to disturb you, (and when it’s not).
You might also set boundaries for yourself. Working at home comes with many distractions, (you might have to stop yourself from taking quick breaks to put on some washing, or watch TV)!
Using these ten ideas you’ll soon improve your remote working set-up and reach your productivity goals. From software tools to ergonomic desks, there are plenty of ways to thrive when working from home.
