Working from home is the dream workplace; you just wake up, take a shower, have breakfast, and start working. The idea of working remotely has become more of a necessity at a time when the world is facing a pandemic. Schools are closed, sports suspended, and companies are beginning to consider remote offices to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Here are the necessities you need to set up your remote office:
Office
Working from your bedroom or living room might seem viable, but in reality, it’s not. There are so many distractions from your kids and partner, to your TV and games. You’ll probably work for an hour, take a rest for 3 hours, and continue working for two hours and then go back to gaming.
You need a room that you can convert into your home office space. Furnish it with what you need and come up with rules to reduce the disturbance.
If you don’t have a room to spare, you can always dedicate a corner of one of your rooms. Turn the corner into your workspace by placing a desk, a chair, and any other necessities you need. Preferably, choose a room with fewer distractions and where you can limit access. Ensure that you can lock the door, making it harder for your kids to access the room when you’re working.
You want a place where you can focus and self-motivated to get the tasks completed in time. Remember, you have no manager to oversee your work constantly; thus, you need to push yourself and find the right schedule for you. Being in the right space will affect how you work, and the frequency of your procrastination.
Electronics
You need a laptop or desktop, noise-canceling headphones, and a good sound system. Laptops offer flexibility, while desktops are more affordable. The noise-canceling headphones will help reduce distractions when you’re working. They will also help you communicate with your colleagues when making video calls through the microphones.
In case you’re working from home, some good music could help you relax and concentrate on the task at hand. Listening to music is a matter of preference; some see it as a distraction, while others see it as a tool to help improve their concentration levels.
High-Speed internet access
Working from home typically means using your computer to get the work done. You’ll need high-speed internet to communicate with your colleagues and employers. The internet will also help you complete the tasks. It’s also vital when you need to send completed tasks, or your boss calls for a virtual meeting.
Since you’re working from home and you don’t have the same cybersecurity measures as your company, you need to prioritize cybersecurity. A remote office is an easy target, especially if you have access to the main system.
A remote workspace is more than just the right space and the tools; it’s also your ability to function and complete tasks while in the remote environment. Having a stable internet connection ensures that you can synchronize data with the main office. You also have access to information when you need it.
Backup
When working in a remote office, you might not have access to the systems or power supply you had at work. In most cases, if there is a power outage, the company has a generator to keep the lights on. However, at a remote office, you might not have a generator; thus, you need to increase the frequency of your backups.
You can have a local hard drive or cloud service where you back up your data. Remember that backups aren’t just for power outages, they’re also for system malfunctions or data breaches.
Schedule
Remote working is just another excuse to enjoy your freedom without supervision; that is if you don’t have a strict schedule. The reason why working from an office is effective is because you have a schedule to follow and a supervisor to ensure you adhere to the schedule.
When working from your home, you don’t have a supervisor or a schedule to keep you in line. It’s up to you to ensure that you complete the tasks on time. You don’t want to rush against time trying to beat the deadlines when you spent your day procrastinating. You also don’t want to spend the entire day working and trying to squeeze in more work even at night.
The idea is that you find the perfect balance such that you don’t overwork yourself or under deliver. You need time with family, friends, and some time alone. Create a schedule that allows you to maintain your productivity and still enjoy time with family, friends, etc.
Review your daily schedule and figure out what’s reducing your productivity. It could be social media, family, or the good old procrastination. Whatever it is, figure out a way to improve your productivity.
Conclusion
Remote working might seem easy, but it’s not, you have so many distractions, and if you’re the type to lose focus easily, you’ll have a hard time getting work done. Therefore, you need to create an environment that reduces these distractions and improves your concentration levels.
