In early 2020 who would have thought so many of us would now be working from home! WFH can give us a better work life balance if we get it right but can also work against us if we get our home office set up wrong. Here are some ideas to help you get it right and get the most from this new way of working:
From the outset you need to designate a workspace that is comfortable and free from distractions. This will help you to stay focused and productive. It needs to be yours and only for home working or household admin. Don't spread your work materials across multiple rooms. The whole house will feel like an office if you do that! If you're sharing your workspace with your partner, make sure you respect each other's privacy.
Keep your workspace tidy and organised. A messy space can be distracting and make it difficult to focus on work-related tasks. By keeping your workspace clean and organised, you'll be able to concentrate better and be more productive.
Ensure that your workspace is well-lit. Take advantage of as much natural light as you can and use artificial light in as many ways as you can. Use well angled desk lamps; these don't need to be boring old school styles. There are plenty of quirky options available now.
Make your workspace your own. Add some personality to it by incorporating things that make a difference to you, like plants, artwork or pictures of the family and pets. This will help to make your workspace inviting and functional, as well as fun and personal.
In this new world working from home can give us a whole new approach to juggling work and the family. Make the most of the opportunity!