Written by Higson

Working remotely? How to get your workspace in shape

25th March, 2020   •   2 min

Being in the right environment is essential for productivity. This is no exception when working remotely. Here are four tips on how to create your remote workspace to increase productivity and engagement.

1. Keep a dedicated work-space

Everyone has a unique work style. Some prefer working in a busy and lively environment, while others favour a peaceful and quiet space to better focus.

Setting up a permanent or at least a semi-permanent area is vital when working from home for extended periods of time. Your area could be a whole room or just a small desk and chair.

Coming back to a workspace in the same state you left it, provides a sense of continuation and helps with planning and executing tasks. It can be helpful if others avoid interacting with or moving your work-related items. This way, you can just pick up where you left off without wasting time.

2. Create your workspace

The physical workspace you choose and shape is critical for your engagement and performance while working from home. What works best for you? Dedicate a whole room, or just a table.

A reliable internet connection is very important; find the spot with the best signal strength in the house and set up your workspace there. You can also consider using an ethernet cable to avoid any Wi-Fi related issues. If your daily tasks include several video meetings and calls, make sure to consider your background and room acoustics.

If you share the space with others or work from home at the same time your family or housemates are around, make sure that your workspace is still somewhere you can focus on your own.

3. Take advantage of natural light

One of the advantages of not working in the office is you can substitute the cubicle and halogen lights for an open workspace that is located near a natural light source.

The ideal setup is to place your desk parallel to a window to benefit from the natural light. This will encourage you to turn around, ,,look away from your computer screen and rest your eyes by looking outside.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule, for every 20 minutes you spend looking at your screen, look away at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, as it takes 20 seconds for your eyes to relax. Following the 20-20-20 will help to reduce tiredness and improve concentration.

4. Boost your well-being with flowers and plants

Did you know that houseplants have positive effects on your happiness and health?

Plants produce more oxygen and clean the air by filtering airborne toxins. Adding a couple of houseplants to your workspace,, can also increase productivity and creativity by 15%. Try a mint or rosemary plant as their smell is proven to help increase motivation and memory.

Personalising and shaping your workspace when working remotely has positive effects on engagement and productivity. Make sure that you follow these four steps to have a rewarding remote working experience.

Higson is available to answer any questions you have on how to stay productive and engaged during this time.