The post-COVID-19 workplace is about elasticity, agility, and resilience, and this is why remote work setups are predicted to stay for good. But there remain challenges when it comes to working from home. For one, most homes are not configured to be offices. There are different technologies, accessories, furniture, and habits that need to be acquired to match the conducive workplace environment.
Whether you will be working full- or part-time remote shifts, you need a reliable work setup at home. Here are some ways you can optimize your home for professional use.
Comfort is paramount to productivity
Ergonomics is crucial. It’s difficult to be productive if your back is aching because you don’t have a good chair. You’ll eventually get muscle pains if you have to crane your neck to look at your monitor, or headaches if the lighting isn’t bright enough. In the long run, these minor inconveniences will put your health at risk.
If you want to reach peak productivity, start by making your workspace as comfortable as possible. Invest in an adjustable chair that supports your spine, get a bigger monitor so you don’t have to squint, or purchase noise-canceling earphones to avoid distractions. If you can’t afford such luxuries, make do with what you have: increase the height of your desk by stacking books on top of it, choose a bright area as your workspace, and use boxes to rest your feet on.
When your body is comfortable, your mind has fewer distractions, and you can better focus on your work.
Form new habits to drive success
Different contexts require different habits and behaviors. For instance, communication with colleagues in the office was mostly done face to face, but in a work from home setup, you can’t do that anymore. You have to rely more on technology and leverage new ways of communicating, using messaging and video conferencing apps for daily check-ins, if necessary.
But perhaps the core of new behaviors you have to form has something to do with managing work-life balance. The most productive workers are those who feel satisfied with how they manage both the professional and personal aspects of their lives.
While it’s challenging to work and live in the same space, optimize your home setup by physically delineating the work area from the living area. Do not work on your bed, because that is counterproductive. Instead, pick a quiet spot where no one can disturb you, or an area in the house that you don’t frequent. The former mimics the privacy of office cubicles, while the latter simulates the act of going to work.
To avoid burnout, take breaks during work hours and unplug after your shift. It’s more difficult to do so when remote working, because you might be using the same devices for professional and personal purposes. Have coffee breaks just as you would in the workplace, and turn off your phone after work hours. Allowing yourself to breathe will reduce stress and will actually make you a more productive employee.
Reliable and secure technology is a must
Various cloud-based technologies enable you to access apps and files, and communicate with your team. When they don’t work as they’re supposed to — your Wi-Fi connection grinds to a crawl, for example — you face bottlenecks and productivity dips.
IT leaders can avoid technology-related interruptions and malfunctions by partnering with a managed IT services provider like Midwest Data Iowa. Our wide array of IT solutions will ensure that your technology will stop breaking down once and for all.
On top of this, our experts will take care of endpoint security. Security outside the office is considerably weaker than security inhouse, making remote workers more susceptible to data breaches, phishing scams, and malware. What’s more, should you encounter any IT incidents, our support service is ready to help you 24/7.
By combining reliability and security, you can have the peace of mind that your technology will work unfailingly.
Midwest Data Iowa helps you optimize your remote workers’ technology, so they can kiss IT breakdowns and unexpected downtimes goodbye. When technology works perfectly, productivity improves. Contact us today to start making the most of your IT.
