Teleworking Improvements Part 3 - Workspace Improvements

Posted by: Neil Callanan

We've touched on improving your productivity and your communication channels, but many teleworkers neglect to focus on their physical workspace. I find I am most productive when my home office feels like a real office. A few ways I've worked to improve my space:

1. Be frugal on everything, except your chair - My chair cost more than twice as much as everything else in my office, and that's fine by me. A high end desk chair can improve your energy, posture, and productivity. I use an Aeron by Hermin Miller, worth every penny at $700 bucks. 
2. Keep your wires under control - I use the binder clip trick to keep all the wires in an orderly fashion. It goes a long way toward making my desk neat. 
3. Use a desk lamp rather than overhead lights - Desk lamps are cheap, but can make a big difference on the amount of eye fatigue you will experience. 
4. Use an external monitor - If you are working off of a laptop, do yourself a favor and buy and external monitor for your home office. You'd be amazed how much time is wasted switching between windows and programs. 
5. Segment your workspace from your living space - If you're not careful, your work and living space will spill into each other. To the extent possible, make sure you (and your family) treat your work area as a place to do work.