Making Home your Office

Making Home Your Office

It's very likely that many of us are going to be spending a great deal of time at home. For those fortunate enough to be able to continue working through isolation or "Social Distancing" by staying home it is important that we make an effort to replicate those aspects of office life which allow us to be productive.

Get a space
It all starts with having a space. For those limited, it doesn't have to be a large space, but a space none the less. Something you can call your literal "Home Base" within your home. This place becomes the office and you, and everyone around you must follow the "office rules" when you are in your office. 
No TV, no loud music, no fighting with your brother or sister! (Good luck managing that during holidays).

You will need some essentials
A good computer or laptop; Depending on your work systems your old home PC that the kids use may not be sufficient from either a security or performance perspective.
A good internet connection. NBN is great, if not hopefully you have a good mobile phone signal and lots of mobile data, simply hot spot your phone. For those without NBN and still on ADSL, your phone is faster!
If your work is primarily on a computer, and working from home it probably is, you should not settle for just a laptop. The smaller screen, keyboard and touch-pad are fine when you are moving around, but most likely in your real office, you have a docking station, a full-size keyboard, mouse and most importantly a second or even third monitor.  You need a good chair, a webcam if you don't have one on your laptop and a microphone headset.
I haven't mentioned a printer, I am not a huge fan, wastes paper, time, ink and most of all money and space. We are working from home remember, in 2020 things may be tight. If you want to outlay for something you are simply going to read from, spend the money on another screen or a tablet. 

Hint: A Computer Monitor turned on its side in portrait mode is an amazing thing to use as your reference and management screen for Todo lists, documents and quick notes. 

Get into a routine
You are at work. Start each day as you would on a normal day, get up, shower, get dressed.  Now you probably don't need to go to the extreme of putting on your work uniform, but you should also avoid spending the day in your pyjamas or worse, underwear. 
Set yourself goals for each day. Work un-interrupted for blocks of time. Still use your calendar for appointments and online meetings will now be a real thing.
You may find you are getting more done providing you are somewhat disciplined and without impromptu interruptions or ad-hoc meetings, there will be little to stop you.

Lastly, while we can't go out, you can still get out. If you have a laptop, perhaps sit in the backyard or on your balcony to do mundane jobs like checking your email or when you have reading to do. Get exercise, even if that is jogging on the spot. There are many in-home fitness programs coming online every day. Most of all, find reasons to enjoy the experience.  I have already found, I am spending less, doing more, seeing my family (too much)  Break things up and avoid cabin fever. 

Stay well and good luck.

Neil

Making Home Your Office

Your Cookie Settings

Cookie Categories

Essential

Analytics