For many of us, lockdowns provided a fantastic – albeit short-term – solution to improve our work-life balance, work in our undies and escape the horror of the daily commute.
But, as the global pandemic rages on, many of us find ourselves working from home on a more long-term basis.
Perhaps you’re kicking butt working from home and have no problems staying focused and productive.
Or you could be a permanent resident of struggle street – dealing with distractions, staying motivated or even ‘clocking off’ once beer o’clock rolls around.
We’re in your corner! We know the struggles are real.
So, we’ve knocked up some productivity tips to help you stay focused and plough through your work day like a boss.
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The design of your office has a massive impact on your productivity in the workplace.
First, start with your desk. A centrally-positioned desk is way more enticing than one shoved up against a wall or whacked into the corner.
Next, add some beautiful things to lend a glamorous vibe (if that inspires you) – fresh flowers, a vintage reading lamp, an antique writing desk or colourful, vibrant artwork. Personalise your office space with things that make you feel good.
If you don’t have room to create an office in your home, find a quiet, private space where you can concentrate on work projects.
Also, ensure you create a place to store important documents or files to prevent sticky fingers from getting a hold of them and destroying them.
Natural daylight helps to boost your mood and overall well-being.
It also reduces eyestrain, headaches, and drowsiness. Plus, exposure to sunlight in the morning helps regulate melatonin, the hormone responsible for our sleep and waking cycles.
So, place your desk near a window to enjoy the best natural light levels.
However, as we’ve all experienced, the afternoon sun can sometimes be blinding, making it difficult to see the computer screen.
If that happens to you, consider installing adjustable window treatments that you can tilt as the sun moves while maintaining decent natural light levels.
Not lucky enough to have sunlight streaming in through your windows? Or perhaps it's just a miserable, rainy day outside?
You still have some fantastic options!
Consider circadian lighting, colour-changing accent lights, light therapy lamps or fairy lights to keep you motivated and boost productivity in the workplace.
Devices pinging, neighbours calling, Jehovah’s witnesses knocking, and dishes piling up.
Yes, some distractions require attention; others do not. So, it’s essential you prioritise responsibilities when working from a home office.
One way to do this is to remove distractions where you can. For example, disallow phone notifications, put a “do not disturb” sign on the door and get daily chores out the way before you begin work for the day.
DO NOT be tempted to switch on the telly to ‘see the score’ each time you walk past it.
Set a daily schedule. Ideally, one that starts and finishes at the same time each day.
Not only does this help you stick to a routine, but it lets everyone in the house know when you're working and not to be disturbed – unless it's an emergency.
Set boundaries and your work schedule will flow more efficiently.
Regular breaks from work offer relief and boost engagement upon returning to your tasks.
As part of your schedule, define blocks of time to check in with managers and colleagues.
But also make time to call loved ones and walk the dog.
Exercise equipment, such as a treadmill or resistance bands, are great ways to break up the day, re-energise the mind and get a quick workout in.
Did you know plants in the office increase productivity?
Create an uplifting working environment infused with colour and life by scattering a few house plants around your office.
If you’re prone to a brown thumb, start with succulents such as aloe vera or cacti. Give them loads of sunlight and a little drink once or twice a week.
You may also want to take office design cues from nature if you're going to paint your home office. The calming effects of nature-led colour schemes can help boost productivity in the workplace and reduce fatigue.
Let’s face it, we all have way too much screen time.
We’re not meant to be staring at an artificial light source all day, focused on minuscule text, switching screens and tabs throughout the day.
The result of all this increased screen time is digital eyestrain which lockdowns and remote work have only exacerbated.
But, the good news is that you can help reduce digital eyestrain and invest in some blue light-blocking glasses.
These special glasses filter blue light, allowing you to work longer without strain and help regulate your circadian rhythm. By reducing your exposure to blue light, your natural rhythm of fatigue will kick in, helping your body unwind when it’s time to sleep.
If blue-light glasses aren’t your style, avoid eyestrain by remembering the 20-20-20 rule.
Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen for 20 seconds, focusing on an object 20 feet (6 metres) away.
If you're spending six to eight hours a day on your butt, it's worth investing in a quality chair with a supportive design.
Doing so will improve your posture, reduce back pain, minimise hip pressure and increase your productivity in the workplace.
What qualities do you look for in an office chair?
Office chairs should swivel, be height adjustable, offer lumbar support and be on casters.
Look for a chair height where your feet can rest flat on the floor with your hips parallel to your knees.
Never underestimate the power of music to heighten your productivity in the workplace and reduce anxiety.
Tap on your favourite music streaming app and select some invigorating tunes to set the mood.
When you’re performing mindless or repetitive tasks, singing along to the hits of your favourite decade is a cracking way to stay alert.
But, songs with lyrics can often be quite distracting, so switch to acoustic tracks at around 60 bpm to get in the right headspace.
When that mid-afternoon slump hits, switching it up to more upbeat tempos at around 121 bpm will help to increase performance and maintain motivation.
A top-quality air conditioner is essential for many homes and businesses.
It keeps our spaces cool, provides delicious relief from the hot sun and fosters an increase in workplace productivity.
What’s more, an AC can make your home office feel like a more professional space.
And it also keeps your computer from overheating.
Need a new air conditioner? Browse the Hello Breeze range of titan air conditioning systems built to tackle the Aussie climate. We love to talk about all things air conditioning to anyone who listens. So, contact us for a quote today on 1300 712 732.