As of January 2021, more than half of all American adults were working from home at least part of the time, according to a Gallup poll.
Working from home isn’t without its challenges. However, the right technology can make a big difference in helping to ease the transition and help you to be more productive while working from home. Ready to master working from home? Keep reading to learn a few tips to help you do just that.
Start With the Basics
There’s no shortage of smart home devices being advertised as the ultimate tool to help you master working from home. But before you invest in a fancy new headset, make sure that you’re set up with the right basics.
A desktop or laptop that runs quickly and without issues is a must-have. So are a keyboard and mouse that are comfortable for you to use. And don’t forget a strong and reliable internet connection — without it, you’ll suffer through downtimes that can wreak havoc on your productivity.
Keep in mind that different technology requires different kinds of internet connections. Just because your internet was fast enough to keep up with streaming and web surfing before doesn’t mean that it can handle the increased demands of remote work. If you’ll be using any additional tech beyond a laptop, or you need faster internet, you may need to upgrade your plan to prepare for moving to working from home.
Eliminate Distractions
Speaking of drains on your productivity, while tech can certainly enhance your ability to work from home, the wrong tech can stand in the way of it.
One downside of working from home versus working in a traditional office is that your favorite distractions are often just a few steps away. From your big screen TV to your favorite video games, make sure that any potential tech distractions are powered down and out of reach — or even better, out of sight — while you are working to reduce the temptation to use them.
Consider Your Job’s Unique Demands
Depending on the duties that you’ll be fulfilling while working from home, or the type of work you were doing before you left the office behind, keep in mind that you may need some specialized tech in your home office to get the job done.
For instance, if you frequently participate in video calls, you’ll want to make sure that you’re ready to do so from home. You’ll not only need to invest in new equipment, but you’ll want to practice ahead of time to learn how to do video calls seamlessly and without issues.
Give Your Security Measures an Upgrade
Spending more time on the internet also means more chances for cybercriminals to prey on you and your sensitive information. So if you know that you’re likely to start working from home soon, take the time to give your current internet security measures an upgrade.
Choosing better passwords, and changing them frequently, as well as running all necessary software and tech updates can help you to stay safe on the web.
Creating an Effective Remote Work Environment
Creating a more effective, productive, and distraction-free workspace can make all the difference when working remotely from home. Put these tips to work today as you transition to working from home or work to improve your work from home experience.
