Thoughts On A Home Office
For most of us, the idea of working from home has always been something we’d plan for, not something we’d just suddenly have to do. Heck, at least we always thought it would be voluntary. Now COVID has thousands if not millions of Americans suddenly finding themselves in the position of having to work from home.
With this new reality firmly entrenched, at Glickman/Design Remodel Build, we have been writing stories over the past few months on the best ways to design and build your “perfect” home office. But what about your approach to working at home. Yes, you may build a space that reflects your creativity and personality. It’s comfortable and convenient, but what about actually going to work there? You know, using this new, fabulous space to make some money!
Here are some personal thoughts from 10 professionals from across the country who have encountered the different challenges working from home offers and ways to overcome them.
Across the board, people advised (a) finding a dedicated space, (b) trying hard to impose structure on yourself, and (c) working to ensure you don’t become isolated–and that you don’t let your work life or your personal or family life overwhelm each other.
Stay calm
“Staying home can be very lonely. … Try and remain calm. Listen to music, play a funny movie in the background–in the early years of launching my own coaching practice, old episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000, literally saved my life and allowed my business to thrive. But, do whatever it takes to create a warm environment.”
–Carlota Zimmerman, career strategist
Build a stress-free zone.
“Make sure you have a stress-free zone, at work (yes even your home office). … Look for a break room.. No need for a fancy setting. All you need is some soft lighting and something comfortable to sit on. Put together a nice relaxing playlist and listen to it.”
Dr.Tasha Holland-Kornegay, author, speaker and mental health professional
Get up
“Don’t work from bed. You want your bed to be a place of peace and calm, not work stress.”
Liz Grossman Kitoyi, co-Founder and CEO of Baobab Consulting
Get some green
“If you work from home, especially in cold-climates, you can go days without going outside. Getting a snake plant, money tree or areca palm can make a big difference for your work space.”
Michael Alexis, CEO of Team Building
Set up a place not to go
“Not everyone has an office, so it’s all right [to work at] your dining room table or couch. My advice is to … try and create some space between the places you are working and the places you are relaxing, even if it feels a little silly to be on two different sides of the couch.”
Hailley Griffis, communications lead at Buffer and podcaster
Get ready
“Wake up and get ready just like you’re going to work. If you stay in your slippers all day you will not be as productive.”
Elijah Schneider, CEO & founder of Modifly
Close the door
“The most important thing is to have dedicated office space where you can CLOSE THE DOOR and have set office hours. … I did the opposite and allowed work to swallow my home life for a while. … Stupid mistake.”
Kathy Kristof, editor of SideHusl.com
Create routines
“Establish a pre-work routine and an after-work routine. Working in the same place where you wake up, eat, and sleep can make anyone go crazy without proper boundaries in place.”
Marissa Owens, Opportunity Business Loans
Stay connected
“Keep a team chatroom open. There is nothing more important in a group remote project than casual communication. Not just official emails and work updates, but the ability to sit back and chat.”
David Rabin, VP of Global Commercial Marketing, Lenovo
Don’t forget about security
“Hackers will be exploiting the security vulnerabilities that come with remote work. When people are scared and isolated, it’s much easier to target them because they are not using good cyber hygiene–it’s the last thing they’re often worried about in a panic.”
Aleksandr Yampolskiy, CEO of SecurityScorecard ?
We encourage you to research, ask your friends and family and noodle a bit over how you would enhance your home to truly make it “Your Home For Life”. Then call Glickman/Design Remodel Build. We’ve been helping homeowners just like yourself in the DMV for over 40 years with creative design and premium quality construction.
Please contact us or call us at the numbers below.
Maryland: (301) 444-4663
Virginia: (703) 832-8159
Washington, DC: (202) 792-7320