As we enter an entirely new era of working life, and working from home has become the norm not the exception, here are some tips and tricks for making the transition as successful as possible.
There are a whole lot of positives to working from home, apart from the bonus of not having to get out of your jammies on a rainy day. As much as we all will miss the chitchat, the energy and the camaraderie of being in an office environment, the daily commute can take a big hunk out of productive work time. With our choices now limited to staying in, let’s look at all the pluses.
Time saver
The time it takes to get to the office has increased dramatically as roads have become more and more congested. What else could you do with the 1.5 to 2 hours (sometimes more) per day by working from home? Get into an exercise regime, meditation, a creative hour to learn an instrument, sing, dance…everything is now available on line so the possibilities of what you can do with an extra two hours a day are endless. Even enjoy a lovely sleep in every now and again…
The best you
What time do you work best? Do you naturally wake early with ideas and vision and energy that need to be downloaded, and then become of a bit a sleepy bear in the afternoon? Or do you do your best work later in the day?
As long as the work is completed, there is no need to clock on and off when you work from home.
Ka-ching ka-ching
Two coffees per day at $4.00 per cup. Petrol, parking, store bought lunches. It all adds up.
Make your coffee and lunch at home AND you can also write off a portion of your home office expenses on your taxes.
To make it work, to make you work productively, you need to plan ahead and create a work zone. A place you can concentrate, be organised, a place you can step away from at the end of your working day.
52 Flintlock Dr, Harrington Park. Having a designated work zone allows you to leave work at the end of the day- even if you are just walking down the hall! To see more of this stunning home click here.
Speed will be your best friend
Get your download speed sorted – and fast. Go wireless if possible to save having a maze of leads taking over your floor and power points.
Space maker
Having a lap top means you can set up shop all over the house, but to be truly work efficient, make sure you have a designated space for your files and office equipment. Having these potentially messy items in one particular area will help with keeping the rest of your home feeling like home.
12 Crescent Rd, Mona Vale. We just love this work space! The storage, the colours and the natural light is a real bonus. To see more of this home click here
Save your back
You may occasionally switch from the kitchen stool to the lounge but your back will thank you if you invest in a good quality office chair. Or better still a stand up desk or even a balance ball will ensure you are really looking after your body even while you’re working.
Step away from the refrigerator
Yep. Working from home can decrease your travel time but can also increase your waistline.
Set yourself allocated times for morning tea and lunch- just as you would do in an office environment, and if possible, don’t have your work space too near the kitchen- out of sight out of mind will limit those snack attacks!
7 Middens Whard Rd, Killara. Tucked away in a little alcove off the main bedroom, this home office is a divine, quiet and no where near the kitchen, space to work. To see more click here
Size doesn’t matter
You may not have a whole room to dedicate as an office, but even with just a small space you can have all that you need. Check out these 30 home office ideas from houzz- https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/87831369/list/best-of-the-week-30-sensational-study-spaces
It’s going to be tough in many ways for a while, but if you can get your work, and work space sorted, it will create a much more positive environment.