Stay productive and organized while working from home
I’ve been working from my home office exclusively since 2009. In those four years, I’ve learned a lot about managing home and work life, staying productive while cozy at home, avoiding distractions, and more. Based on these experiences, the following are my ten tips that keep my work on track when I’m at home.
Before I delve into my list, I should define “home worker.” It certainly includes telecommuters, freelancers, and those running a business from home, but that is not where the definition ends. Anyone who runs a household definitely works from home. Also, the number of people who spend 9–5 in an office, school, or at an off-site job, but then take additional tasks home to work on, is increasing. When I was young, I knew one family who had an “office” in their home, and I thought it was the oddest thing. Today, it’s pretty much the norm.
Now that we’ve got that sorted, on with the tips.
- Define a workspace. You needn’t have a dedicated room to be a productive home worker. A corner of the kitchen, back porch, or garage will do, as long as it accommodates the tools and space you need. I have an IKEA desk in my bedroom that is my office. Occasionally, I want a change of scenery, so I’ll move my laptop to another part of the house. Other times I’m forced out entirely, which brings me to …
- Have an emergency backup office. There will be times when the power is out or your internet connection is down. Or, perhaps, a construction crew is working on The World’s Loudest Project right outside your window. When this happens, you’ll need a backup site to go to. My default remote office is the public library. It’s clean, well-lit, quiet, and has free Wi-Fi. The employees don’t care how long I stay and there are electrical outlets everywhere. Good thing I travel light.
- Define a lightweight office-to-go. Figure out the bare minimum of tools you can get away with and remain productive. Something you can fling into a bag and go. Will your computer do? An iPad? A camera? Figuring this out ahead of time will save you a lot of aggravation when you need to vacate your home office pronto.
- Make your home office efficient but also pleasing. You’re going to spend a lot of time in your office, so make it a pleasant place to be. I have LEGO projects on my desk, Star Wars toys, and a pencil holder that my daughter made for me. Since I am at home, I need not comply to corporate decorating policies, and neither do you. Find things that you love and make you feel good and add a little style to your space.
- Adopt a system you trust. Unless you’re in business with your spouse, partner, or housemate, you likely don’t live with a co-worker or superior. That means that you are both the worker and the supervisor. Conquer the latter role by devising a system you trust. I follow David Allen’s Getting Things Done system and, in effect, that system is my supervisor. Trust is the critical factor here, as that’s the only way your brain will stop nagging about all of your undone tasks.
- Don’t be too informal. This one applies mostly to those who are earning their living from home. Since you are in the house, it’s easy to adopt a casual attitude about your day. In my experience, adding a bit of formality helps draw a line between work time and leisure time. I always shower, shave and put on nice clothes. I make a cup of tea and begin the day in the same routine one might in a traditional office. When I’m done with work for the day, I turn my computer off, kick off my shoes and join the family downstairs. That routine also helps me feel like I’m truly “off the clock” when the workday ends.
- Get your own inbox. This simple tip has vastly improved my marriage. My wife and I shared an “inbox” (an end table by the front door) for years and it made both of us crazy. My stuff mingled with hers, she liked to store things one way and I another. Now, I have an inbox on my desk and she has one on the end table. I process my inbox items on my schedule and according to my system, and my wife does the same her own way. I cannot recommend splitting this up strongly enough if you live with other people.
- Take Breaks.I alternate between work time and break time all day. A great Mac app called Breaktime lets me alternate between 25-minute work times and 5-minute breaks all day. This practice helps me maintain a productive streak and is also a luxury I wouldn’t have in an office.
- Take advantage of working from home. You work at home and that means you’re at home! Take advantage of this opportunity that many aren’t able to experience. Sit on the porch, eat lunch in your own kitchen, and never miss an event at your kid’s school.
- Be flexible. This lesson was the hardest for me to learn. I’d make a plan for my day, only to see it fall apart thanks to a sick kid, malfunctioning computer, flooding basement, and more. Understand this might happen, and don’t get too stressed when it does. Try again tomorrow.
Brando 4-in-1 desk lamp
When I first read about the multifunctional Brando 4-in-1 desk lamp I was intrigued. I like it when I find items that have utility and can complete more than one task. But, then I studied the product details, and I was underwhelmed. It is hectic and distracting. And, a desktop fan is useless to me. (When was the last time you used a desktop fan?!) It felt like the fan was thrown in just so it could say it had four functions. I also have no use for a webcam or a microphone since both come installed on my laptop.
It is USB powered, which takes away one of your computer’s USB hubs, but it does provide a LED light, fan, webcam, and microphone. I’m not excited about this product, but maybe it’s just me. I’m interested in hearing from our Unclutterer readers in the comments section. Are there other multifunctional items that you had high expectations for and then were disappointed by the reality of the product?
(via Engadget)
Wi-fi printer on sale now
The Brother HL-2170W is now on sale for a very reasonable $99.99. You can get rid of that clutter-inducing USB cord that you currently have attached to your printer. If you are in the market for a new printer, this is a very affordable option that gets rid of cable clutter and streamlines your workspace.
CNET has a pretty decent review of this wireless printer and the Amazon customer reviews are rather positive. For just a penny under $100, you could do a lot worse.
Workspace of the Week: Briefcase office
This week’s Workspace of the Week is Chuck_Notorious’ Gig Bag:
I’m not convinced that a soft-sided briefcase is the best solution for electrical equipment, but I really like the inspiration behind Chuck_Notorious’ design. In one bag, Chuck has assembled everything needed for his job, and the bag is where the equipment permanently lives. He’s not pulling things out of the bag, he’s using the bag as is. Genius! If you have a job where travel is an integral aspect of what you do, consider building yourself a gig bag or briefcase office. Make it so you don’t have to pack and unpack everywhere you go. This is efficient and well organized. Great job, Chuck!
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Workspace of the Week: The non-office office
This week’s Workspace of the Week is TheHappy1′s non-office office:
I like this office because it can fit into any living space of a home. The design elements might not be your style, but the concept can work for anyone. It has a few office items — stapler, pen cup, computer, paper shredder, filing basket — but otherwise it’s just a small table and a chair in a room. The wireless printer sits in another area behind a cabinet door, out of sight. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a whole room to devote to an office, this is a great, uncluttered alternative. Thank you, TheHapp1 for your submission!
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Workspace of the Week: Eames inspiration
This week’s Workspace of the Week is Xtremetothemax’s mid-century Eames office:
One of the things that is unique about this office is that it is completely void of a computer. The Eames desk and storage unit, in combination with the other design elements, work to create a mid-century, clutter-free wonderland. There are so many unique touches in this space, like the game board on top of the filing cabinet and the vertical and horizontal book shelves. Maybe its my love affair with 20th century design, but I look at this office and can’t stop imagining how much I would love to work here.
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Workspace of the Week: All about zen
This week’s Workspace of the Week is Normaniac’s zen office:
Filling his space with greenery and glass, Normaniac’s office is tranquil, free of clutter, and awe-inspiring. This office looks like a place where it would be easy to keep your mind focused on the big picture and calmly move from task to task. A space like this makes working from home a very appealing option.
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Workspace of the Week: A transformed room
This week’s Workspace of the Week is AimeeRoo’s transformed office:
The area has purpose, structure, and space to move and be creative. What is best of all, is that it used to look like this:
AimeeRoo committed herself to shaping up the space, and even did it without spending a single dollar on the redesign. Other angles of the room include a dedicated arts and craft space and her washer and dryer. Before, it was a disorganized room, and now it’s a wonderful, transformed office. Great work, AimeeRoo!
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Workspace of the Week: Repurposed artist’s studio
This week’s Workspace of the Week is Vitamin Design’s artist workbench:
I particularly appreciate how Vitamin Design has repurposed an Ikea kitchen island into a standing art desk. The stainless steel that is helpful in a kitchen is fabulous when working with paint. It’s nicely organized, to boot!
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Instant workspace
Design Within Reach currently has a promotion where you can get all of the furniture for a home office for $2,018 until February 26. This initially sounds like a lot of dough, until you look at the items in the package:
If you’re just starting out or are interested in redoing your office and you’re into the look that Design Within Reach offers, this is actually a decent sale price. You get a Tavola table, Panton chair, Leaf light, a Cubits Shelving unit, and a file cabinet on wheels. Plus, it comes with free shipping. Not too shabby.
As a final note on this specific topic … I own a Panton chair and should warn you that it carries quite a big static charge during winter months. If I sit in it, the next thing I touch gives me a shock. I even run a humidifier full time in my home. It’s not a deal breaker in my mind, but annoying enough that I thought I would share the information.
Along with the idea of an instant office, Reader Chris brought to our attention the Apartment-in-a-Box. Quite interesting!
Preparing for tomorrow’s work day
Years ago, when I was in my first year of teaching, I was in constant fear of getting sick. Kids would cough near me in the hallway, and I would rush to my desk to apply hand sanitizer. I wasn’t afraid of germs, instead I was afraid of missing work.
Missing a day of school for a teacher is actually a lot of work. If you’re a decent teacher, you prepare lesson plans so that teaching and learning can still take place in your absence. Getting ready for a substitute teacher can take a good chunk of time, and doing this while running a 101 degree fever isn’t fun.
I poured out my fears of getting sick one afternoon to a veteran teacher and she offered me advice that has proven to be valuable even in my professional life since teaching.
She suggested that at the end of the work day I do two things. First, I should clear my desk. Papers should be filed, my stapler stored in a drawer, coffee cup cleaned and returned to the kitchen, etc. Then, for my second task, I should make a stack of all of my photocopied handouts, materials, and lessons for the next day and put them where no one could miss them. By doing these two simple things, which usually took me no more than five minutes, I only had to call in my absence and then fall back to sleep.
Even though I’ve been out of the classroom for years, I continue to follow this procedure. At the end of the work day, I clean off my desk and then I organize everything that I need for the next day. For example, if I were to have a morning meeting, I’d have my agendas photocopied and in a labeled folder at the center of my desk. This way, if I were to be stuck in traffic or sick and attend the meeting over the phone, it’s easy for someone else in the office to grab the agendas and pass them out in my absence.
A clean desk and organized materials also are worthwhile if you do make it to work on time and healthy. This preparation allows you to hit the ground running when you arrive at work. Five to 10 minutes of organization at the end of the work day will have you on your best footing tomorrow morning.
Workspace of the Week: Winter white wonderland
This week’s Workspace of the Week is Accolady’s office in white:
Accolady’s office is tidy and serene with splashes of color for interest. One of my favorite aspects of the office is her corner where she stores notebooks and her Kodak camera collection:
Be sure to check out her other picture in the flickr pool to see wonderful details like the small hook she has under the desk for her purse. The space is truly fantastic.
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Workspace of the Week: Black and white class and glass
This week’s Workspace of the Week is Cramerica’s office in white, black, class and glass:
What speaks to me about this office is that the choices of white, black, and glass objects make it so that the work, in this case the computer monitors, are at the center of attention. There isn’t anything visually cluttering up the space or distracting from the work. A person could really think in here. Additionally, with the desk and light both being Ikea pieces, I like knowing that other readers could recreate this design without feeling too hefty of a hit in their pocketbooks.
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Workspace of the Week: Brian’s studio office
This week’s Workspace of the Week is Brian’s studio office:
Brian is one of Unclutterer’s programmers, so I was excited when I found his office posted in the flickr workspace pool. You can see in the photo that his small home office is used for much more than just sending e-mail. I particularly love his microphone on the boom swing and the acoustic baffle that has a functional purpose and is also a design element. His Les Paul guitar even acts as artwork when not being played. Brian’s attention to organization allows him to do a lot with this room with very little space.
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Home office in a box
If you are strapped for space and you need a workspace for your house or apartment, you may want to check out the CI Desk from Creative Industrial Objects. Its small design and compact storage drawers offer a welcome alternative to a space-hogging desk.
The CI Desk looks a bit like a storage unit on wheels, but it is more than just a way to store your office supplies. The top flips out to supply you with a solid place for your laptop to rest, instead of using your lap. From Creative Industrial Objects:
A multi-functional home office on wheels, in its handy size and elegant shape, adapting to the flexible working habits of the individual at home or in the office. Through a 180-degree turn of its top, it unfolds into a small workstation for laptop users. The smooth contours of the desk cube in fact reveal the delicately inbuilt wooden drawers that open to the front and sides. CI desk provides mobility and a practical working space for any busy individual.
If one was to go this route in a home office, you would more than likely have to keep all clutter out of your streamlined desk. There just isn’t enough room for a junk drawer or desk top toys and trinkets … which is probably a good thing.
(via Apartment Therapy)
