Productivity Hacks for WFH Setup

Working from home has become increasingly common in recent years, so getting distracted especially when you’re at home. Keeping away from distraction could be challenging in such a scenario. You’d always wanted to have Netflix in the background, maybe working in a bed, on the kitchen counter or even multitasking with your regular chores which eventually makes you more tired and decreases your attention span leading to reduced productivity. But there are certain things that could help one to increase productivity and efficiency. However, it's important to have the right setup and tools in order to maximize your productivity. Here are some things you might consider for your work from home setup:

A comfortable and ergonomic workspace:

Starting with picking up a space at your home where you can set up your work desk. Dedicating a space for work at home will create a work vibe. Every corner of your home has its own vibe. For example, most of the brilliant ideas come in the shower, or serious talks are often done at the dining table, or gossip are often done in the kitchen, living room by fireplace is the place for nostalgia, your lounge is used more for laying down and less for sitting and more. We never noticed but yes, every space carries its own vibe. So, when you’re trying to work in the living room or bedroom, the original vibe will get compromised with work vibe which leads to distractions. It's important to have a space where you can work comfortably. Initially, it will be difficult, but after a while the efficiency and focus will increase. For setup, you could start with getting a desk and chair that are at the right height for you, as well as proper lighting and ventilation.

A reliable computer and internet connection:

Your computer and internet connection are crucial tools for working from home. Make sure you have a fast and reliable computer and internet connection, as well as any necessary software or tools for your job. You may check for the internet speed & data that matches your work requirements. Make sure you have your dedicated chrome profile on your work email and block any entertainment sites so as not to get distracted while working. This is my personal favorite. Make sure your device is up-to-date and has updated softwares for better efficiency.

A good pair of headphones:

Working from home can be noisy, especially if you have kids or pets. This could be used for multiple other occasions as well but as far as we are concerned about work, this could work 2 ways. If your work demands regular conversation over a call/meeting, it is recommended to pick headphones that have mic included. Also, based on your use, you can go for either wired or wireless headphones. In case your job does not involve too many meetings or calls to work on, you can simply go for noise cancellation headphones to stay focused (especially if you have kids or pets or noisy neighborhoods). Invest in a good pair of headphones to help block out distractions and focus on your work.

A planner or to-do list:

This is the KEY to productivity. Whether its work from home or work from office, having a planner or to-do list have a major influence on your performance. Not only will it keep you on track, but help you envision your progress as well. Keeping a to-do list will help you not miss out on any task, keep up with deadlines, better prioritizing your tasks and timeline. There are many tasks we carry forward and keeping a planner will be a great tool for the same. I generally keep a spiral binded note where I write down my tasks but there is so much softwares and tools (paid and free) for the same. Based on your preference, you can pick a planner or to-do list. One more pro-tip for this point, when you have all the tasks in one place, start with easy and less time consuming tasks because doing so will make you feel like you’re made some good progress and keep you motivated. When starting with a difficult and time consuming task at first you will have a psychological reaction that you hardly did something for a day. (proven technique for productivity).

Adequate storage:

Make sure you have enough storage for all of your work materials, whether that's a filing cabinet or a set of drawers. This will help keep your workspace organized and clutter-free. You do not need to have a large store unit, but an even smaller rack would be good enough to keep important work materials handy. Make sure you only keep work material to keep up with the work vibe. You can have some batteries, additional mouse, microphone, stationary etc. You should have anything and everything in that storage unit to make sure that you do not have to leave your work area even for a while because doing so will easily get you distracted.

A separate work phone or phone line:

This is one of the most important things to consider. In most of the work from home settings, there are certain apps people use to keep in touch with their fellow colleagues and such apps are available on desktop and mobile devices. Keeping it on your personal phone will disturb you during your leisure time and get you easily distracted during work time. Work life balance is at the core of performance. If one is at work all the time, he/she will always be tired - during and after their work hours. If you need to make or receive phone calls for work, consider getting a separate phone or phone line for work. In today’s world, many smartphones have a function for work-life balance and focus mode which will restrict certain apps during different times of the day. This will help you keep your personal and professional calls separate.

A good office chair:

The increased number of back pain and neck pain in working individuals is the body needs movement. In today’s time when most of the job can be done on laptop/PC, one is less likely to even leave the chair for some physical work. But picking a chair that gives support to your back and neck, has comfortable sitting, and adjustable height might give you some relief. A good office chair can help you stay comfortable and avoid back pain while you work. Look for a chair that is adjustable and provides good lumbar support.

Overall, the key to a productive work from home setup is having the right tools and resources to help you get your work done efficiently and effectively. By investing in the right equipment and setting up a comfortable and organized workspace, you'll be well on your way to increased productivity.