The idea of working remotely has been slowly picking up speed for a long time, with remote workers often being perceived as being more productive than office-based workers due to their ability to be able to easily focus on the essential task at hand. This is due to having a dedicated workspace, which helps people set aside any distractions and focus on work. However, just about anybody can benefit from having a functional workspace when managing tasks or working on a creative project.
Where you work
The room that you work in can offer a level of professionalism more than anything else. Whether you are working from your bedroom, kitchen table, or have turned the spare bedroom into an office, this all conveys different levels of professionalism to your colleagues. For example, working from your bed may give off the wrong signals if you are conducting interviews with potential clients or having an important meeting with your boss.
Your work set-up
It’s no surprise that one of the most important items when working from home is your laptop or computer. Your laptop is both a work and a communication device, and if you’ve got this down then you are already on the way to success. However, your work set-up encompasses more than just your laptop, such as a good keyboard and mouse, decent-sized screen, working internet, and a webcam that doesn’t turn you into a mess of pixels.
Posters and pictures
Are you someone who likes to surround themselves with photos and posters? While it can be nice to show off family photographs in the background of Zoom meetings, having too many can prove a distraction. If you are contemplating how many photos are too many, just remember that less is more.
Your background
What you have in the background says a lot about you as a person, from how organized it is to the kinds of books you like to read. While it’s true that you can generally learn a lot about a person by the books they read, it’s probably best to keep any controversial topics out of your Zoom background. However, if you wanted to keep some of your favorites in view, this could lead to topics of conversation and make everyone feel a little more relaxed.
Thankfully, if you have only got the laptop down, most online retailers will be able to help you find whatever else you need. From showing product stock levels, suggesting next day delivery, and offering a range of payment methods, being unprepared is a thing of the past. However, it’s not just office suppliers that offer these incentives, as more businesses, for example casinos with real-money bonuses and bookshops, add in new ways to help customers with their purchases.
Working from home has meant many people have realized what does and doesn’t work for them. If you are in this position, then it’s always worth choosing a place where you want to work, and then making a list of what you need. You should be able to become a lot more productive working remotely, while giving off the impression that professionalism comes naturally.
