Working from home: some love it, some despise it, but right now, many companies have had to make the shift to keep employees safe.
The transition was quick – one day back in March you were in the office, and the next thing you know, you’re setting up a makeshift desk in the corner of your bedroom, on your kitchen table, or even from your couch…Your laptop is propped up on a stack of old books, your wireless mouse’s battery is running low, you ran out of snacks: it’s safe to say many of us were unprepared for this transition.
With more than 42% of individuals now working from home, we have had to put quite a bit of effort and imagination into our new “home offices” in a short amount of time. Investing in a computer desk that doesn’t double as the family dinner table, and maybe even a desk chair as opposed to your couch are good places to start. Even making sure you have some snacks and coffee on hand will help to get you through the day.
With that mindset, some have tried to recreate their office space at home, as best as possible. This might include a second monitor, and Post-it® notes to keep thoughts organized. A monitor stand can also be beneficial; however, I think my book set of the complete series of Harry Potter stacks up just fine.
Some may go for the more minimalistic approach, only having the basic necessities… and while the waterfront view may be hard to come by, the wireless mouse is definitely an essential. Another necessity we (myself) tend to forget about are batteries, so do yourself a favor and stock up, so your mouse or keyboard doesn’t die mid-sentence.
For others, this could mean investing in a sit-stand desk to stay active and still reach your standing goal by the end of the day. There are also added benefits of working at a standing desk as opposed to sitting. Standing desks can boost productivity, reduce back pain, and can help improve energy levels, which is something we could all use being stuck at home.
As we all continue to navigate these uncharted waters of working from home, it is important to make sure you have a space solely dedicated to work. With the added distractions that come with the WFH lifestyle, such as kids and pets, make sure to communicate these added factors to your team, just in case they make an un-scheduled guest appearance on your next call.
Looking for more resources to help make working from home easier? Check out these articles:
6 Helpful Tips for Working Remotely
Adjusting to the New Normal — Parenting While Working From Home
References
Anderson, Cindy, and Dave Zaharchuk. “COVID-19 Trilemma Tradeoffs.” IBM, IBM, 2020, (www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/report/covid-19-trilemma) Accessed 27 July 2020.
Leech, Joe. “7 Benefits of a Standing Desk.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 18 June 2017, (www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-benefits-of-a-standing-desk) Accessed 27 July 2020.
