Are you still working from home due to COVID concerns in the workplace? One major change we've seen in society since the beginning of this pandemic is the shift in employer mentality regarding remote workers and what they can do for business. More and more business owners are realizing that many, if not all, of their employees and staff can efficiently perform their job responsibilities from home, without the overhead of renting office space, paying for utilities and office supplies, etc. If you're one of these employees, working from home probably seemed grand for the first few weeks.
Until, it wasn't.
If you weren't prepared for, or accustomed to, working from home, it's a big change, and it isn't always easy. Many people don't have a home office set up as a regular part of their layout. If you have children, your work days might be more than a little chaotic as you balance conference calls, reports, and dealing with clients while shielding your computer from PB&J sandwiches and a game of football toss. Even if you don't have kids at home during the work day, simply not having a space to designate for work can be draining. You feel like work never actually ends, as your kitchen table is now your desk and workspace as well.
The best solution would be to add on an office or two, right? As much as we support that decision, it's just not a likely option for many families. While not everyone can add on or designate an entire room to be an office, there are ways you can make an in-home workspace possible without spending a fortune on materials or furniture. Where should you start?
Spare rooms. Do you have a guest room that is currently empty? What about a walk-in closet that doesn't get much use? Look for any spare areas in your home that could be "loaned out" as an office for you. Small, modular desk systems are easy to customize for small spaces, so you could fit a corner workspace into that guest room, or turn that closet into your own office hideout. Thinking creatively is the best way to start.
Getting creative with furniture. If you don't have a spare room, putting a new spin on pieces of furniture is another great option. Look for a hutch or writing desk system that closes up. Placing something like this in a dining room, kitchen area, or even bedroom allows you a place to store work computers, materials, and more, but doesn't leave it strewn about at the end of the day. You can closet the doors or lid, and visually "end" your work day.
Collaborate and share the load. Do you have local friends or nearby neighbors also working from home? Perhaps you could coordinate to take shifts, letting your home be the "hangout" for everyone's kids for a few hours each morning, and then trading off in the afternoon. That allows each household to have a window of quiet, uninterrupted time each day to take care of conference calls, client consultations, and other tasks that are nearly impossible in a busy, noisy home.
Check on your timing. If balancing kids and work is a struggle with your limited space. consider your schedule. Is there a way you could pack in more work hours early in the morning before your kids are awake and rolling? Could you create a designated "quiet" time that serves as a power hour for your job? Coming together as a family and working as a team where everyone is heard is the best way to make working from home go more smoothly.
Newton Peach Marketing works with some of the best business owners in the greater Polk County area, and we've seen them admirably rise to the occasion during the COVID crisis of this past year. They have altered schedules, worked around their employees' needs, and shown, once again, what a WONDERFUL place Winter Haven can be. We are excited to see them continuing to grow and thrive in spite of all the unexpected events of this year, and are thankful to be part of that growth. Is your business blossoming in the midst of 2020? If not, Newton Peach Marketing would love to come alongside you and help you formulate a plan to get your name in front of the customers and clients who need to see it most. Our goal is to help you meet YOUR goals. Call for a consultation!