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With the ushering in of 2024, our home offices have become more than just makeshift corners for work; they are the hubs of our professional life, no matter where we choose to log in. Whether you have a dedicated room or a multipurpose space, it's time to revitalize your home office and make it a bastion of productivity and inspiration for the new year. Here are actionable steps to elevate your work-from-home experience.
Eliminate Tolerations
Many home offices sprang up as a swift response to the pandemic, often cobbled together hastily. And they have remained that way since 2020. Now is the perfect moment to address those small annoyances, the 'tolerations,' which subtly sap your energy. Use this three-step method to banish them from your workspace:
- Identification: Your home office likely harbors several nuisances that have become background noise to your day-to-day. Take a moment to survey your space; you might be surprised at what's been flying under your radar.
- Prioritization: Not all annoyances are created equal. Assess which issues impact your workflow and mood the most. Tackle these first, especially those that are quick fixes. For instance, a weighted cord holder, like the 'cord brick,' can effortlessly tidy up that jumbled mess of cables that are creating a hazard and a lot of visual clutter. It’s a weighted cord holder that won’t move from your desk unless you want it to.
- Execution: Once you've listed and prioritized your tolerations, set about rectifying them. Some fixes will be swift, while others may require professional help. Either way, the goal is to create a workspace that feels less like a compromise and more like a command center.
Make Your Office Zoom Ready
In a hybrid work world, your office doubles as a personal broadcasting studio, and your online presence reflects your professional brand. Focus on these key elements:
- Lighting: Good lighting is non-negotiable. If you're not fortunate to have consistent natural light, invest in quality lighting solutions to ensure you're seen in the best possible light—literally. These light panels will do the trick.
- Sound: Audio clarity can significantly impact the effectiveness of your communication. High-quality microphones or headsets are vital tools for ensuring your voice carries with clarity and authority. These mics and headsets can also reduce ambient noise that could interfere with your message.
- Background: Your backdrop during video calls should complement and enhance your personal brand. If it doesn't, it's time for a change. A green screen offers versatility, allowing you to tailor your background to the context of each meeting, and with today's portable options, it won't cramp your style or space. When you do upgrade what sits behind you, be sure to avoid these backgrounds.
Office Mobility for the Digital Nomad
For those who embody the digital nomad lifestyle where your home office moves over time, creating a productive, portable office is key. Ensure that you have easy access to your digital workspace and tools, whether you're in an airport lounge or at cruising altitude.
With the rise of remote work, there's an array of gadgets designed to keep you efficient on the move. From foldable keyboards to wireless chargers, the market is ripe with innovations that cater to the nomadic professional. Be strategic in your choices—opt for tools that are lightweight, durable, and enhance your mobility without sacrificing functionality. Carrie Spaulding, a coach and artist in her seventh year of a nomadic adventure across the United States suggests, "As a nomad, every single object you purchase goes through a stricter vetting process, because you have limited real estate and carry everything with you. Rather than thinking you need every gadget under the sun and creating a stressful logistical hurdle for yourself with excessive belongings, invest in high-quality versions of the absolute essentials, and simplify by choosing easily portable tools."
One helpful part of your kit should be luggage that gives you easy access to your laptop, like this one from Level 8. Tai Bendit, who traveled the country while working as a product manager at LinkedIn said, "We created makeshift offices in each location by bringing portable monitors, keyboards, and cameras, and used VPNs to have access to our digital tools."
Your home office, wherever it is, is a reflection of your professional self and with the right adjustments, it can be transformed into a space that not only meets your needs but inspires your best work. As we embark on the year, let's create spaces that support our ambitions, foster our creativity, and reflect our professional dedication—no matter where we choose to plug in.
William Arruda is a keynote speaker, co-founder of CareerBlast.TV and creator of the 360Reach Personal Brand Survey that helps you get candid, meaningful feedback from people who know you.
