Since the onset ofCOVID-19, most of the companies are providing work from home option as the social distancing needs to be maintained. It was a very difficult situation for the Companies and especially employees as they were not prepare for it.
Now the companies have adapted the work from home and it is very important to set up an efficient home office. So that there will be no impact on productivity, creativity, and efficiency.
Since every job is unique in itself, it is not suggested to have the same home-office setup for every scenario, having said that there are few basic rules of thumb that you can consider while planning your dream work-from-home setup.
Setting up Hardware
You may need some hardware to work efficiently just the way your office has.
The very first thing required is Working Space even though this is not hardware, but without working space, setting up the things will not help.
A good working space is as much important as the earplugs to listen to music or Silence during the seminar. So that you will not get distracted and focus on your work. It is always suggestible if you have a separate room for a workspace. If you don't have extra space, try to find a place as far as away from the kitchen and TV panel. Because the sound of the TV is very tempting and distracting. This will reduce the work capacity.
Proper Internet Connection
If you are working online then the Internet connection must be stable. So try to get the best router and a good Wi-Fi signal. If you don't have Wi-Fi earlier then this is the important part of the hardware. This will help you to keep online and connect with your colleagues for continuous communication. Avoid connecting all the laptops and mobiles to one connection so that you will get smooth connectivity.
There are so many brands available that are providing Internet services. In India, most people are using Tata Sky, BSNL, and Airtel connections. Few local brands are also there which are providing the services at very low prices. So it is very important to check the price and range before going ahead with any brand.
Headphones/ Earphones
This is also very important hardware which will help you to communicate with your colleagues without any disturbance. It will be very irritating for you or your peer if there will be any kind of extra noise comes. These days many good companies are there which have good and classy earphones like MI, Sony, JBL, Boat, Noise, etc. Keep the volume level in mind and avoid increasing the volume beyond the suggestion.
Printer
The printer is not very much essential hardware. It is completely based on your job. Like, if there is any need to print a lot of documents, faxed or scanned, then Printer plays a great role in your job and is important to install in your workspace. Personally, I would recommend a printer from Brother Company as I am using the same for 10 years flawlessly. Please check the reviews while selecting any printer.
Chair and Table
These are the most important hardware for the sitting jobs. You should choose a comfortable and balanced chair and table. So that your sitting posture, eyesight, or health will not be compromised. Because everyone knows without good health, it will not be easy to manage any kind of job.
Table and chair height is extremely important for good posture as the bad posture will lead you to many health issues like back pain, spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration, rounded shoulders, etc.
Proper Working Timings
Once you have done with the setup, you need to make sure you prepare a proper working schedule and stick with that. As you are working from home, many people think you have saved the travel time and work more. But working from home doesn't mean you should work whenever you want as this will completely change your lifestyle. If you have done the proper setup as mentioned above you will be able to complete your work on time without any frequent issues. It is also important to understand you should not sit in front of your Laptop immediately after wake up. Do your workout, breakfast, and then start your work with a fresh and tension-free mind. Also, along with this, there is a liability to wear comfortable clothes. You should not be worried about the clothes. But many people feel like if they are wearing different pants and shirts, they are in the office. If possible buy a treadmill and take a 10 mins walk intermittently. Also, keep stretching yourself. With this take breaks frequently you will not feel you stuck with a chair.
And the Takeaway
Proper working space, hardware, and daily routine will help you in living a healthy life. Whenever you are working you should avoid unnecessary thoughts and sounds. This will helps you in increasing productivity. It is really challenging but not undoable. Also, keep a balance between work and life. Health is wealth. As you can work only if you have good health. For Example, we don’t like anything if we are having a headache. A Hindi Metaphor is so famous “Jaanhai to Jahaanhai”. Keep this in mind and enjoy your life and work.
Stay Healthy! Stay Safe!