Lucas Noah Thanks in part to the impact of the COVID pandemic, remote working opportunities are far more commonplace than they have ever been. While that is good news for workers, who typically have more time for important tasks, as well as employers, who retain staff better, remote work situations have to be conducive to productivity if they are to succeed. Here are just a few tips that could help you be more productive in your home office environment.
Choose the Right Tools for the Job
There is nothing worse than waiting ten minutes for your email application to open when you know you have a busy workday ahead of you. Not only do these delays impact the time you have for tasks, but they also leave you open to distractions while you wait. It is for this reason that having the right equipment in your home office is essential if you want to make the most of the situation. Consider the needs of your job carefully and evaluate if your home desktop or laptop is up to the task of being a workhorse when you need it.
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The Right Lighting Is Key
Lighting is an often underestimated factor in productivity as not only does the right light illuminate your workspace but it also plays a major role in determining a person’s mood, well-being, and even enthusiasm levels. Natural light is the best option, so make full use of any windows in your home office. Just make sure that you are positioned well so that the setting sun doesn’t blind you in the evening, or cause glare bad enough that a desk move is needed. If natural light isn’t possible, blue light is considered the second best choice as it not only causes less strain on your eyes, but research has also shown that it can help improve alertness levels, mood, and even lower fatigue levels in workplace environments.
Treat Clutter As the Enemy
While a bit of clutter may not seem like a terrible thing, studies on the impact of the physical appearance of our workplace on productivity have proven inconclusively that clutter can not only make us less efficient but also has several negative psychological impacts. Clutter has been shown to increase stress and anxiety among workers, as well as have a direct effect on cognition, emotions, behavior, and even on our decision-making capabilities. So, make it a habit to declutter your desk each morning, even if there are only a few pieces of paper on it, and start your workday off the right way.
Working from home can be a wonderful, productive experience if you go in with the right attitude and are set up for success. If you are finding your attention span waning during the lull of midday, it may be time for a change, so always be open to new ways to improve your productivity in your home office.