The Home Office Productivity Guide

How many of you wish your work life was different? Imagine not having to drag yourself out of bed to make that daily, time-consuming commute every day. But needs must, and so that’s what people do for most of their lives. But does it have to be like this? No, not anymore it doesn’t. Many employers are starting to realize the true benefit of having remote personnel as part of their workforce.  Up until recent times these dreams remained illusions in the minds of most, but times are changing and change is happening fast. It doesn’t matter if you’re an employee working from home, a solo professional, or a freelancer; the mobile work concept is becoming the new norm.

The Home Office Space

The reality today is that a lot of people no longer work in the conventional 9-to-5 system. This new wave of more independent workers includes people from all walks of life, not only millennials. They can be employees and self-employed professionals. There are also those who exploit their talents and take the freelance route. Others join forces and embark on new startup ventures with like-minded other people. Whoever you are, moving away from the traditional work pattern is becoming the new normal in societies around the world. For those going it alone, money is often tight at the start of forming a new venture. For this reason, many decide to use the home office as the place to conduct their business. It’s often a good location to begin with too, but is it ideal?  Keep reading to find out.

The GOOD points about working from home include:

  • No more dragging yourself out of bed to prepare for the daily commute
  • Time and money saved by not having to commute
  • No more reporting or answering to those above you (in the case of independent workers)
  • Far fewer interruptions
  • Money saved by not eating out so often (lunch times, after work drinks etc)
  • A flexible schedule based on more your terms

The list above could go on. The pros and cons depends what you do and your individual circumstances. There are, however, some misconceptions about working alone from home that need addressing. One is that you can sit at your desk all day in your pajamas if you want to. It’s true too, you can, but it’s not advisable. You have to treat your work from home like a proper job. If you don’t, your chances of succeeding are slim at best. You need self-discipline, and lots of it. You also need focus and direction. The most important thing of all is the ability to follow through without having someone there to push you.

The BAD points about working from home include:

  • Socialization skills can start to degrade over time
  • Distractions like TV, food, internet, visitors, family life, etc
  • Stress on family relationships (interruptions, noisy kids, nagging for you to finish work, etc)
  • Broken regime (routines), loss of momentum because of the above
  • Loneliness, isolation, missed banter with your fellows

Like the previous good points, the bad points can also vary depending on you and your individual circumstances.

Co-working Spaces

There is a growing demand for affordable co-working spacesfor people just like you. These fully-equipped centers that offer unique settings to work from. They include respectable and ultra-modern shared working environments. Such places are buzzing with activity while at the same time remain respectably quiet. They not only get you out of the house, but you get to interact with like-minded people too. This helps to keep your mind stimulated and your ideas flowing. There is also a good chance that you will make valuable contacts. We’ll look more at the virtual office solutions shortly. For now, let’s return to the home office and look at a few things you can do to make that space more productive.

Setting Up Your Home Office

It’s crucial that you reserve a space in the home that is just for work. If you live in a family setting, you need to make this space out of bounds to others. You must treat your home office seriously if you’re to be productive as you build your new business.

Here eight quick tips to consider as you set up your space:

  1. Create your own style, a space that you find comfortable to work in
  2. Own this space, dedicate if to your work and only your work
  3. Position your desk and other furniture carefully (it can make a BIG difference)
  4. Decorate your space with earth colors (browns, tans, warm grays, and especially green tones)
  5. Make sure there is plenty of natural light as it stimulates productivity
  6. Get a standing desk if you can and switch between standing and sitting positions
  7. Keep your home office free from clutter at all times
  8. If necessary, improve the air quality

The above points are not just the ideas or suggestions of a few individuals; they are the result of studies. They have come about by research from the following bodies:

Every person’s needs and situation is unique to them. All the same, the suggestions in this article are the result of various studies into what contribute toward the most productive home office. 

Stay Plugged In

In our experience, the home office works well in the short term or as a part-time arrangement. Our experience also shows that the “full-time” home office is far from the ideal setting. Most of the people who walk through the doors at Office Evolution Hackensack, NJ began their independent work life from home. Almost everyone will tell you that being home alone full-time is not a good thing. It’s fine some days, but certainly not all the time. It’s important to stay plugged in, and that’s exactly what the virtual office can offer. Aside from coworking spaces, there are many other services and facilities to choose from. And what you don’t need or use you don’t pay for. It’s a perfect solution for remote employees, solo professionals, and ambitious freelancers.

Here are a few of the other things you can find from Office Evolution coworking locations:

Want to learn more about how we can help you to grow your business or improve your remote work, telecommuting, or home office situation? Contact us today. You will be surprised at what we have to offer and at what costs. 

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At Office Evolution Hackensack, we provide virtual office, coworking, and private office solutions. We offer meeting rooms, offices, a coworking lounge, a shared reception, a business address, and virtual receptionist services. We have many options and price points, and all terms are flexible. Plus, you become part of a community of like-minded professionals.

Whether you live in Teaneck, Bergenfield, Maywood, Teterboro, Hasbrouck Heights, Moonachie, Little Ferry, Rochelle Park, Dumont, Bogota, River Edge, New Milford, Hackensack, Englewood, Paramus, Tenafly and other communities nearby in Bergen and Essex counties, choosing Office Evolution Hackensack in New Jersey will help you be more professional, productive, and profitable.

Learn more.