Tips for working from home effectively
Whether your working from home situation is temporary or permanent, it’s normal for anyone to take time to adjust to their new surroundings and adapt to the lack of colleagues walking around. In fact, working from home over the past few months has opened a doorway for many people, allowing them to have a better work-life balance. Recent research found that Australians are not as career focused as they used to be, with 80% of people (of 5000 questioned) wishing for more time with family and friends as a priority.
On the other hand, business owners as well have realised that jobs they previously thought would be unmanageable remotely actually do work – which could see a change in the way businesses operate in general.
Working from home isn’t without its challenges and it can be difficult when starting out to manage your time, and limit distractions. If you can master the initial setup and get control of your working hours, working from home has plenty of advantages.
Benefits of working from home
If you’re working remotely, or if you’ve started your own business, working from home doesn’t have to be a struggle once you find the benefits of working from home that can truly change your life.
Flexible: The best part about working for yourself from home is you get to choose your hours. You can take a break whenever you want and if you want to head to lunch with friends or you need to stop to pick the kids up from school, you can. You can work on weekends or at night and have the weekdays to yourself; or you might choose to completely switch off every afternoon for quality family time. Not only that, but you also have more flexibility when it comes to looking after yourself, something 83% of Australians have stated is a priority.
You can decorate your own office: When you work in a large corporate building, the layout has already been set up before you arrive. And usually, you can’t do much with the desk space you have. Many workplaces don’t even allow you to have family photos. At home, you can do whatever you want with your space. You don’t even have to work in an “office” at all. Why not take your laptop out and sit in the sunshine on the deck for your 10am meeting? Even better, why not consider building your very own garden office? These buildings can be constructed in your garden and provide your very own secure and personal office space in your own backyard. Designed to let in light from outdoors and provide a relaxing atmosphere these offices can not only provide a solution but give you maximum control over design and customisation.
You’ll save time and money: Around 16% of Australians say their commute to work negatively impacts how they feel about their job and on average Aussies spend between 1-2 hours commuting to work every day. Working from home doesn’t waste your valuable time. Wake up, grab a coffee, start work, take a break, work some more, and when you’ve met the day’s deadlines you can shut the computer down and watch some TV. No more time wasted on trains and buses.
More money: Not only do you save time when you don’t have to commute, but you also save money. Aussies on average spend around $11,000 per annum on commuting to work. Imagine the holidays you could have with that extra money?! You will also save money on clothes and shoes, because all you’ll need is a tracksuit and slippers; and you’ll save money on food and drinks if you’re living from your pantry and fridge.
Less stress: Working in an office comes with a lot of stress, particularly when it comes to office politics. There’s always someone gossiping about someone else; someone being told off by the boss for not washing up their cups in the office kitchen; someone whining about their rate of pay; debates about who was the best PM; arguments about which coffee to buy. At home, you make all the decisions and you can steer clear of any grumbling from co-workers.
Tips for a home office setup that works
If these benefits have convinced you, the next step is to create an environment that works. When working from home, you need to be prepared for long hours behind the desk, and to do that you want to maximise comfort. Here are some of our recommended must-haves:
- Natural lighting will brighten your office space and boost your vitamin D, increasing productivity
- A good desk with shelves will help keep your space tidy
- A quality office chair with sciatica cushion that’s designed for the number of hours you’ll be using it will prevent back and neck pain
- A quality office chair that’s designed for the number of hours you’ll be using it will prevent back and neck pain
- High speed internet is a must if you’re working online; contact a provider like xfinity internet to find the fastest options available in your area
- A surge protector will ensure your equipment is safe if there is a fault in any of your equipment
- Investing in a quality commercial printer / scanner will save you running to the local library, you can also include fax if you are working with old-school clients or employers
- Effective storage space, such as organiser carts or bookshelves, will help you keep your desk free from clutter, allowing you to focus more on work and less on mess
Protecting your home office equipment essentials
Now that you have all your equipment set up and you’re prepared to start working, there’s one last thing you need to consider: security. To protect sensitive corporate data when working from home, don’t forget to secure your internet. You can easily secure your internet connection and home network by yourself with the guidance from Stay Smart Online.
In addition to protecting data, physical security for a home office is essential. Make sure your office desk is cleared after work and sensitive paper documents are placed in locked cabinets. If possible, try to avoid having your office setup where outsiders can look in. Keep the house safe and stay one step ahead of potential criminals by putting sufficient security measures in place. It’s a good idea to check your insurance policy in case something was to ever happen.
While insurance when working from home won’t cover the print outs you’ve made, documents you’ve signed or reports you’ve written, it can cover all the equipment you use. The last thing you want is for something to happen and you lose all your hard work.
Contents insurance covers your furniture and equipment for a wide range of things, including accidental damage, natural disasters, theft or fire, even vandalism. For the home office, general contents insurance will cover your computers, printers, scanners, desks, chairs, phones and other furniture.
How to deal with working from home
Working from home can be highly productive, and the flexibility it offers can make life much easier and more enjoyable. Stay motivated, minimise distractions, create a comfortable space, and protect your equipment.
If you’re prepared, working from home can change your life.