What’s The Secret to Being Productive Working from a Home Office?
My name is Leah.
I’ve been a training specialist for three years. Working in a top company has been an excellent experience for me, mainly because my colleagues and I have access to the best resources in the world.
But that hasn’t always translated to happiness and job satisfaction on my part. I have had my fair share of sharp dips in performance and productivity, which have somewhat derailed my career progression.
That was until my senior and ever-smiling colleague, Caroline, shared her secret recipe for staying happy and motivated at work.
I asked Caroline a few pointers on how to build a space where I could enjoy working again; her tips were life-changing! How can I create a productive home office? In case you, too, are struggling to find enjoyment at work, here is a part of the conversation I had with Caroline that I think might help:
How do you enhance your emotional connection to your work?
By personalizing my workspace– tailoring it to my taste and for my visual appeal. One thing you will never lack on my desk is a framed photo of my family. They are three photos: my pet’s, my husband’s, and my kids’ photos.
I also have this plant on my desk that I love and care for, like family, a personal desktop calendar for easier scheduling, and this motivational book that inspires me to be productive. Of course, as you can see, I don’t allow these personal touches to clutter my space because that would be counterproductive. I do everything in moderation.
You mentioned your desk plant. Do office plants help with job satisfaction? Isn’t it tedious to care for an office plant?
For me, plants do help in a big way. It makes my space feel a little more alive, if not for anything else.
Seeing it full of life and determination to grow motivates me to be more energetic and creative. I also have read extensively on the positive effects of green plants on our mental wellbeing- the benefits are too many to ignore.
As for the second part of your question, I’d say no. I’m very passionate about plants and green spaces, so caring for plants comes naturally to me.
If you aren’t experienced with indoor plants, I recommend investing in a small, portable grow tent that will help you create an ideal environment for your plant. That will make your work a lot easier.
How do you manage to stay fresh all day?
I’m privileged to have an employer who cares about the ergonomic standards of the furniture we use in the office. On top of that, I always make serious ergonomic considerations when arranging my workspace in the morning.
I don’t want my muscles in the neck and back to start aching in the middle of a workday, so I ensure that my computer screen is at the most appropriate height. I also confirm that my desk is well organized so that everything I need for any task is well within my reach.
As you can see, I always keep my space clean to ensure that nothing gets in my way. I also trained myself to prioritize tasks and manage my time well so that I’m never too rushed to lose my head and disorganize my workspace.
A workspace that’s too comfortable encourages sedentary living. Doesn’t it?
Yes, it does, and that’s why I’ve decided to move a lot during my workday. Also, consider the approach where you work for 25 minutes and than take a break for 5. This is sometimes called the Pomodoro approach to time management.
I rarely sit at my desk for more than two hours without taking a short break. I also keep my phone away from the workspace, forcing me to stand up and walk up to it whenever it rings. And to spice up my days, I have requested a stand-to-sit desk that I hope will give me even more reasons to move and change positions.
Anything else you would like to share?
Well, you are what you eat.
You must stay hydrated and eat healthy, nutritious food daily to stay energized, focused, productive, and happy all day. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables at work and limit your access to processed foods. If you can, don’t eat at your desk – go out or sit in your kitchen.
Do you have anything more to add to Caroline’s pointers for a productive home office? Please share them in the comments to help workers like you build workspaces where they enjoy working.
Leah Collins is a passionate writer who appreciates everything about her profession as a training specialist. Aside from writing, she likes reading, listening to music, and wandering in nature.
Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash
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