The world of work has changed considerably over the last decade. The Great Recession, COVID pandemic, and the rapid pace of technology improvements have caused drastic shifts. Today, more people work from home than ever before. It’s to the point that nearly 20% of companies across the globe are now completely remote.
You are one of the individuals that work from home. Needless to say, what you require to maximize productivity is different than what’s provided at a business office. To determine if you have the right items, here are 5 things you need when working from home.
1. Products That Prevent Eye Strain
A big problem while working from home is eye strain. Looking at a computer screen for several hours a day makes your eyes tired. In some cases, it leads to an increase in headaches or problems sleeping.
There are products to prevent this. A screen filter helps reduce glare that irritates your eyes. Blue light glasses also minimize strain. Companies like INMIX sell these items. They contain a blue light blocker that reduces headaches and keeps your eyes strong.
2. Ergonomic Materials
The science of ergonomics is critical when working from home. When your desk and chair have improper support for your needs, you end up with several issues. Among them are headaches, eye strains, and back pain.
Thus, you must invest in ergonomic chairs and desks. The latter should be adjustable to accommodate your height requirements. The former has to be designed to properly support your shoulders, back, and spine. If you feel comfortable, then your productivity increases.
3. Multiple Screens
Your single desktop or laptop screen is normally fine for everyday use. However, if it’s utilized for your entrepreneurship or working remotely, then a single place to see everything is inadequate. Especially if you are employed as a customer service representative. Then, one screen hampers your ability to thoroughly troubleshoot an issue.
Multiple screens are the solution in this scenario. One or two monitors help you separate windows and applications for quicker data retrieval. Normally, a docking station allows you to hook all of your equipment together so it performs seamlessly.
4. A Solid Internet Connection
Working from home is great if you have a strong internet connection. When this is in place, you don’t worry about frequent disconnects or sluggish speeds. Thus, you remain productive throughout the day.
On the other hand, a poor connection to the internet results in frustration by you, your customers, and your employer. So, it’s imperative to choose an internet service provider (ISP) with a proven record of strong signal strength. If it’s difficult to find one in your area, consider purchasing a signal booster. This improves the internet connection when the modem or router is located in an area far from your home office.
5. A Virtual Private Network
Computer security is critical when working from home. The personally identifiable information (PII) of your customers and employer is regularly utilized. Without the necessary precautions, it’s also available to cybercriminals.
Minimize the risk of data extortion with a virtual private network (VPN). This is a method that allows you to enter a secure network where items like your IP address and hostname are hidden from the outside world. Furthermore, with most VPN services, your activities aren’t logged. Therefore, all transactions remain anonymous.
A VPN isn’t only utilized when dealing with sensitive material. It’s used for any type of upload or download of data. Thus, you can stream videos in a private area.
The 5 things mentioned are a small percentage of what you need when working from home. Generally, you want to make your environment as comfortable as possible. Additionally, it should be conducive to productivity.
Therefore, make sure the space you designate as your office is free of clutter and other distractions. Plus, it must have adequate lighting, natural or not, and proper ventilation. Your resources should be within easy reach to avoid delays with customers or your employer.
In the end, your home office must be as organized as your business space would have been. Actually, it should be even better. If you still work for an employer, the way you arrange your office encourages them to maintain your remote status.
