Are you aware that the way you set up your home office can have a significant impact on your ability to stay productive? When the connection between home office atmosphere and productivity is made, it’s apparent that you might need some tips for increasing productivity by simply rearranging your home work space:
- If at all possible, keep your home office completely separate from the rest of your home. If you don’t have an entire room to dedicate, be sure that there is a definitive separation between anything else in the room and your work area. For instance, if you need your work space to be part of your living room, take a quarter or so of the space and clear out any entertainment storage, children’s toys, or anything else associated with your home life and only include items pertinent to your work. This makes you feel more like you’re working and less like you’re trying to get work done while at home, with distractions constantly in your line of sight.
- Have you ever tried to work while you were sick or in pain? It seriously cut down on your productivity, didn’t it? You may be tempted to purchase the cheapest office furniture that you see in the store, but keep this in mind before you buy: cheap office chairs lead to back pain, and consequently lower productivity. The same can be said about keyboards that aren’t made for long hours of typing. Invest in a good quality, ergonomic chair and keyboard, and they’ll pay for themselves through increased productivity.
- Choose your home office space wisely; studies have shown that using natural light instead of artificial lighting actually works to boost your mood and increase your productivity. Try to place your desk by a window so that you will be facing the window while you work. This decreases the possibility of glare on your computer screen, and having your computer in your line of sight may help you avoid stealing glances outside too often.
- Open up windows so you don’t feel stuck inside and the air doesn’t become stuffy. If it’s cold outside, even opening the window just a bit will help you feel more refreshed, leading to better productivity. To increase air flow even more, use a fan. Stale and humid air can cause you to feel drowsy quickly; if you live in an area where the outside air tends to be humid, using a dehumidifier can help you have a more comfortable work space. Just be sure not to make the air too dry, which can cause congestion and a cold-like feeling.
One of the most important factors in keeping your productivity high while you earn money from home is making your home office comfortable, naturally lit, and specifically geared towards your work life rather than your home life. Make more money in less time by completing projects faster in an ergonomic chair in your designated home working space, and be sure that you have plenty of natural light filtering in through a nearby window.
