Our homes are not naturally the most productive spaces, let’s be honest. Homes are our comfort hideaway. There are sofas and beds with our name on them: how can you be productive when they’re almost seducing you? You can’t.
Working from home is a blessing, sometimes in disguise. There feels like more work-life freedom, and you don’t have to get dressed unless you’ve got a Teams meeting, in which case you can be in pajamas on the bottom and business on top.
Despite the perks, many suffer from productivity issues. Stanford University even produced statistics stating people working from home were 10% less productive (thanks, Stanford).
With that in mind, we’ve got 5 surprising tips for your home setup to put you above the Stanford statistics.
Stop Making Things More Difficult For Yourself
Sometimes, we’re not helping ourselves. There’s a saying that says, Tidy desk, tidy mind. That saying applies to office workers. Imagine your home. If you have in the back of your mind that you need to put a clothes wash on, do the vacuuming, empty the dishwasher, and iron some clothes, your mind is cluttered.
Surprise, surprise, make things easier for yourself and be prepared. Get your ironing board out and do the most tedious tasks the night before so you’re ready to go in the morning. The difference it makes to your productivity levels when you have a tidy home is incredible.
Organizational Systems
These will be your best friends. And there are two sides to this. There are organizational systems available both online and in physical formats for your home.
You’ve got platforms like Trello and Monday.com that help you stay on time and organized with your tasks. Not a lot of at-home workers use it unless their company does. There’s no reason why individuals can’t use it.
For your home, create organizational systems around your workspace that make life easier (if you need them). A small bookstand for notepads, accessories, and any company paperwork next to your home, for example.
Personalized Workspaces
Personalize your workspace for you and watch how your productivity improves. A personal desktop calendar, photos that feel special to you, and a productivity-boosting plant like a peace lily or snake plant.
Don’t make your workspace feel like a 90s-style office cubicle with no life or character. Let natural light flow, but minimize the space for distractions. There are enough distractions in your home as it is.
Ergonomic Furniture
This will also be your best friend. Ergonomic furniture is so amazing to help with productivity levels. And if you haven’t heard about it before, the fancy name essentially means furniture designed to optimize comfort and healthy posture and reduce the risk of any injuries.
Essentially, it means you aren’t sitting slouched on your couch every day; you’re in a real desk chair with back and neck support. People usually refer to chairs, but you can get ergonomic desks that let you sit or stand.
Find Your Comforts
Find your comforts, but don’t be too comfortable. Even offices are trying this approach. They’re buying fancy coffee machines, having chill-out areas, and investing in ergonomic furniture.
Workspaces are becoming more about helping employees want to come to work and feel comfortable when they’re there, and you should do the same at home. Cuddle your hot water bottle if it’s cold, wear your cosy slippers and dressing gown (remove for video calls), and have your emotional support Stanley Cup always filled. Work shouldn’t always feel like a chore.
Some of these might not have been that surprising. What’s surprising is that people working from home don’t try to make themselves feel more productive. Nothing beats working from home, but we can’t deny that it’s easier to fall off track!
Featured Image Credit: unsplash.com/photos
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