CJC Realty Group

Work from Home

Work from Home

Work from Home

Designate a Workspace

An ideal long-term home office setup should be a designated area in your home that’s fully equipped for your daily tasks. Since many don’t have a dedicated office, consider converting an available space like a spare bedroom, flex room, attic, or basement into a productive workspace. Even an enclosed porch or large closet can work if it’s quiet enough for calls, video meetings, and focused work. It’s essential to keep your bedroom and family room reserved for rest to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Whether you’re setting up for occasional or full-time work from home, ensure your workspace is functional, organized, and free of distractions.

Equip Yourself for Success For Work from Home

Equip Yourself for Success: Work from Home

Once you’ve established a designated workspace, it’s essential to set up your environment for optimal performance. With your well-being in mind, ensure you have the following essentials to set yourself up for success every day.

Appropriate Desk: Your home office desk should be large enough to accommodate your computer, store essential supplies, and provide space to work comfortably. Options range from standing desks and writing desks to L-shaped and corner desks. Whatever style you choose, make sure it’s the right height for your needs and works well with your office chair.

Ergonomic Chair: Comfort is crucial when selecting an office chair. Choose one that suits your height and offers good support for your back and arms. Ideally, the chair should have adjustable height, be able to roll, provide lumbar support for your lower back, and include armrests for added comfort.

Monitor: While you likely already have a computer, such as a work-issued laptop, it’s important to invest in a monitor with specifications that match or exceed your computer’s capabilities. For optimal video quality, choose a monitor that supports HDMI 2. x, DisplayPort, or USB-C connectors. Position your monitor so that when looking straight ahead, your eyes are around 25% to 30% below the top of the screen. This helps maintain a neutral posture, preventing shoulder strain and back hunching, both of which can lead to injury.

Other Equipment: Ensure you have a functional keyboard and mouse or trackpad. For online conference calls, you can use your computer’s built-in audio or a speaker, but if there’s background noise or for clearer sound, a headset is ideal. Additionally, if you need to print regularly, a wireless multifunction printer is a convenient solution.

Reliable Internet: A strong internet service is essential. Aim for speeds of at least 50 Mbps, or higher if multiple people are using the internet at once. Consider your home’s bandwidth as well. The best connection is through a wired Ethernet cable, which ensures a stable connection, especially for video calls or other bandwidth-heavy tasks. If wiring isn’t possible, Wi-Fi will work for general office tasks.

Set the Tone

Setting the right tone in your workspace is essential for productivity and staying focused on your daily tasks. Fortunately, there are many simple and affordable ways to create an optimal work-from-home environment.

A woman stretching her arms while sitting at her office desk with plants around

Declutter & Organize: Keeping your workspace neat and organized is crucial for maintaining productivity. Remove any items you don’t need and arrange the essentials within easy reach. Use a desk organizer or drawers to keep supplies in one place, and store important documents in a secure filing system. If you’re on video calls, consider what your clients or colleagues will see behind you.

Inspire Yourself: Personalize your workspace with things that inspire you, creating a positive and uplifting atmosphere. Add colorful accents, hang some wall art, or display photos of loved ones and pets on your desk. Incorporate a candle or diffuser for a calming scent, and create a playlist of your favorite music to play softly in the background. Your home office can be a comfortable, motivating space that feels like home.

Brighten It Up: Proper lighting is essential to avoid eye strain and fatigue. If possible, set up your workspace near a window to take advantage of natural light, which can boost focus and improve your mood. If a window isn’t an option, ensure adequate overhead lighting, and consider adding a desk or floor lamp to avoid glare and balance light sources.

Incorporate Plants: Office plants are not only visually appealing but can also improve your well-being. They help purify the air by removing indoor toxins and have been shown to reduce stress and enhance concentration. Adding flowers or bamboo can bring a peaceful vibe to your space, while low-maintenance options like succulents are perfect for those with a busy schedule.

Stay Focused

One challenge of working from home is dealing with distractions like kids, laundry, or the TV. The key to staying accountable is being intentional about your work time. Schedule everything—from meetings to breaks—using an online calendar, daily planner, or whiteboard. This helps you stay organized and on top of deadlines, meetings, and tasks. Creating a daily or weekly to-do list will keep you focused and productive throughout the day.

Take Care of Yourself: Mind & Body

Take Care of Yourself: Mind & Body For Work from Home

While some people enjoy working from home in their pajama pants, others miss the structure and in-person interaction with colleagues. Whether you love or dislike it, the lack of routine in remote work can be stressful and make it easy to overlook your body’s basic needs. That’s why it’s important to incorporate stress relief for your mind, body, and soul during your workdays at home.

Be Playful: A playful workspace can offer moments of relaxation throughout your day. Keep a fidget spinner, Rubik’s cube, or stress ball nearby to occupy your hands while your mind processes ideas. You can even swap your chair for an exercise ball for a fun and active seating option.

Move Your Body: Pay attention to how much you move during the day. Try to schedule time for a walk or a yoga session to get your blood flowing and clear your mind. If that’s not possible, set a timer to remind yourself to get up and stretch every few hours.

Get Some Sunshine: Studies show that exposure to sunlight improves sleep, reduces stress, and boosts energy levels. Sunlight regulates hormones and neurotransmitters, impacting everything from immunity to mood. Try having lunch outside, taking a walk, or simply opening the windows to let in daylight and fresh air.

Feed Your Soul: Don’t forget to take regular breaks to nourish your body. Prepare healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, cheese, nuts, or olives to keep your energy up, and avoid processed foods that can leave you feeling sluggish. Keep your favorite teas, coffees, or drinks on hand to enjoy a refreshing pick-me-up throughout the day.

Establish Work-Life Boundaries

Establish Work-Life Boundaries: Work from Home

The lack of structure in remote work can make it easy for work and home life to blur together. To prevent this, establish clear boundaries to keep these areas separate. Set specific office hours and stick to a consistent routine, helping you stay productive and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Once you’ve created a quiet space with the right equipment, set the right tone, prioritized your mind and body, and established clear work-life boundaries, you’ll be well on your way to long-term success and productivity while working from home!

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