Are you moving to working from home because you’re starting a business from there, or is your employer switching you to a remote worker? Either way, there are a few things that you need to set up to get started. It isn’t overly complicated, but it’s still necessary to be happy as a home worker. So, let’s dive right in.
The Sticky Point – Who Will Pay for the Setup?
The sticky point is, who’s paying for your home office setup? If you’re a remote worker, then perhaps your current employer will do so, but that’s not always the case.
If you lack the savings to do so but you’ve worked at the company for a while now, then maybe looking at short term loans from lenders like BingoLoans will solve the cash shortfall?
You’ll need to figure out what you’ll require and how much it will cost. That’ll give you a good starting point.
Do You Have a Windows System Already?
Maybe your employer has supplied a laptop, or perhaps you prefer to use your own. It’s recommended that you use a separate widescreen LED monitor – perhaps even a dual monitor setup – to make it a better viewing experience. Productivity is said to improve with multiple monitors. Some are even ultra-widescreen and curved to see multiple desktops on a single enlarged screen if you prefer that approach.
Here are some reviews of recent monitors with a UBC Type-C connection to use on a Windows PC or laptop (there are even some Mac compatible ones, if you really must).
What Environment Makes Sense?
Your office chair should be comfy enough to support your back – especially the lumbar area – without being too relaxing. After all, you’re there to get work done! Go for ergonomics, lumbar and head/neck support as the priority items when picking out an office chair. Consider how many hours you’ll be using it each day; it’s worth splashing out on something a bit more upmarket.
Add a fan or AC unit to deal with warm summer days. Consider the direction of the sun in the afternoon and whether a pull-down blind will be needed to avoid eyestrain.
When planning a productive space, focus on less is more. Don’t overstuff your office and make it feel claustrophobic. Go a bit more minimal and only include what’s required.
Should You Have Fixed Office Hours?
To create a better division between your work and home life, it’s useful to create fixed office hours. This might not have been necessary before with an office job that you got dressed up for and went to the office, but when working from home, it’s a different matter entirely.
Also, be careful about email, chat apps and other communication forms that can demand your attention out of office hours. When working this way, your brain never gets to rest and recharge properly because you’re never truly “off work”.
A home office provides a great deal more freedom – especially by skipping the daily commute! As long as you get set it up correctly, it will ensure you can be maximally productive too.