When a business crisis strikes, employees can suddenly find themselves having to work remotely for long periods of time, and being unprepared for such an ask. Working from home can sound simple; get up, don’t commute to the office! But the reality is very different, and doubly so when other members of your household are also in the same boat. The closure of schools, either forced or in the holidays, for example, also makes space at home a premium and is not conducive to the kind of environment you would need to get work done. Some of us have limited space at home, so how do you set up a home office with limited space available?
Luckily, Self-Storage Can Help to Set Up a Home Office
If you need to quickly and cheaply save some space, putting items into a suitable and secure storage unit is the quickest and easiest thing to do.
You can upgrade or downgrade the storage room size when you want.
Although we take payment in advance, you end up only paying for the days you actually use. So if your job suddenly recalls you back to working away, it won’t cost you anything.
There is no limit on the time you can hire a self-storage space for. When you’re
ready to leave just give us 14 days notice and we’ll refund any unused days.
Once you have cleared yourself some space, here are 6 top tips for working ‘well’ at home
1. Routine is key
Do as you normally would by getting up on time, and getting showered and dressed. This will help put you in the right frame of mind, and not allowing the boundaries of home and work to blur. In order to stay healthy and productive while working remotely, you will need to ensure there is as little disruption to your internal clock as possible.
2. Set your hours of work clearly
It will take discipline, but working for the same hours you would normally can be a huge help mentally. Don’t get distracted by morning TV or whatever home improvement show is on after the news, or worse, whatever Netflix show you started bingeing the night before. It’s a slippery slope to starting your shifts later and later and eventually working into the evenings.
3. Stay active and get out
The act of taking time away from the screen is one we could probably all do better at, especially in this hectic day and age. Getting out and about, out of the house, either for a walk or a gym session can work wonders for helping you maintain the barrier between work and home-life, especially if you are not commuting. If you don’t get out during the day, you may not get out at all once evening rolls around.
4. Don’t close off communication
Home-working can be a lonely business on times, so make sure to stay in touch with clients and colleagues, and pick up the phone every now and then. Talking to your pet, as much as you love them, is no replacement for human contact. Try not to hide behind email. Being sociable in this manner can also help strengthen the bond with your team.
5. Take regular breaks
One of the most crucial things to do when working from home is to get away from your screen at regular intervals. By law we should take a 20-minute break every two hours, so use the time at home to get into this good habit. If you want to stay fresh and on top of things, try the ‘Pomodoro Technique’, which involves working solidly on something for 25 minutes, then taking a five-minute break. You can have a wander around, make a cup of tea, or call someone.
6. Have a dedicated workspace
Having a dedicated and comfortable area to work means your brain can associate this space with work, and allow you to “punch in” and “check out” when you’re off the clock. This does not mean the couch or bed! In trying to put as much distance mentally between your home and your home office, you will find it easier to concentrate and not get disrupted as much. Having a dedicated work office where you can close the door and leave distractions behind will help your productivity enormously. It may mean shifting some items around but could prove to be the most important decision you take.
You can read a bit more about how to work well from home here.
So, if you find yourself having to work from home for the first time and quickly need to set up a home office with limited space, get in touch with Metro Storage – we have the space you need and are here to help!
