How to: Best Upgrades You Need When You Work from Home
How’s your home office looking these days? A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the best home office upgrades, but couldn’t finish it because of no light. Ok, it was a couple of months ago, but who’s counting? Here, then, are some real upgrades.
Ergonomics
So my office isn’t perfect, but it is ergonomically in the Pretty Good arena. There are lots of 90 degree angles, although I’ve had to use a book to keep my legs at the correct angle. I found this article about how to set up an ergonomic workstation helpful.
Printer and Shredder
Printer and Shredder
Now a shredder is something I have had since my days as a professional organizer. At the time, Staples still had a lot of shredders sitting around, and I tested all of them to get the quietest one. Yes, really. Spend a little more to get a quiet one, preferably a cross-cut one.
The printer is nothing fancy: a four-in-one HP printer. Occasionally, I’ll have to stop everything and run to the store to get printer ink. Us entrepreneurs are so lucky that way.
Giant Calendar
Giant Calendar
If you do a lot of speaking or have lots of different events for your business, a giant calendar helps remind you of what you’re doing when, and whether you have too much or too little down time. Don’t forget to schedule vacations, too!
Lighting Backdrop for Chats and Video
Lighting Backdrop for Chats and Video
Yes, I’ve got special lights for Google Hangouts, especially if they’re recorded! You might as well do the best job you can and try to look as good as possible while doing it. Unless it’s a podcast with no video, that is. In that case, you can hang out in your bathrobe and nobody will care.
Music – Spotify
Having some white noise or quiet music is so important for stress reduction. As an introvert, absolute quiet is good, too. By the way, if you missed this article about introverts, here you go: Six Facts About Introverts and Social Media That Will Impress Your Friends.
What Helps You Work From Home?
I’m sure I’ve forgotten something! Does your dog sleep on your desk, for instance? Do your kids help you with office chores? Let me know in the comments! And thank you.
Hello Carol,
I may need to review the ergonomics but since I stand at the desk most of the time, I shouldn’t have too much to change.
Such a good point about backdrops for videos and chats. I’ve giggled a few times at what was in the background of some or even wondering what the distracting items were in the backgrounds.
Hi Patricia!
When you’re standing, it’s probably much easier to be ergonomically correct, although people probably manage to slump when standing, too!
My cat would sometimes walk in while on a video. Those were the best times. Sometimes things in the background distract from the video entirely, though. Like that one time the kids crashed their dad’s teleconference and it went viral!
Happy times!
Carol
+1 for Spotify. Great idea on the lighting. Thanks
Thank you, Andrew! I appreciate your stopping by.
Carol