How much time or thought have you put into creating a happy and productive home office? So much of the time we are so busy in the throes of work that this sort of consideration is put on the back burner. But imagine what it would be like to have your home office be a place where you’re happy and productive! If you’re going to work, it may as well fit into those parameters! There are some simple solutions you can work on to increase your happiness and your productivity while working.

The first tip for a happy and productive home office is to create an environment that you will actually want to work in! If you can create a peaceful, aesthetically pleasing space you will be much more likely to be productive and happy while you’re working! In order to do that, you will want to design a space that sparks joy, that helps you focus and that is functional so you can efficiently do what you need to do.
In order to create the perfect working environment, you’ll want to declutter and organize your space. If there are items in the home office space that do not belong, remove those. Then decide what tools and items you truly need to do your work. Keep the items used most frequently in the easiest places to access. Next, put the items that get used less often but are necessary for your work in the drawers or cabinets that are a little more work to get to. Remember, the less stuff you see, the more likely you’ll be able to focus. A tidy office will require maintenance and discipline, so be sure to plan keeping it tidy into your workday.
At this point, you should have a pretty clear canvas. That gives you the ability to add in some items that spark joy. This may be a plant, a lamp or even a motivational poster of some sort. It may take time to find the right items or you might already have them. The idea is to create an office space that you’re looking forward to walking into every day. You might also consider adding equipment that helps you physically as that too will help you be productive. This might mean a great ergonomic chair or a switch to a standing desk.

Creating a workday routine will help you be productive and help your brain transition from home life to work from home life. One key component of the workday routine is what Michael Hyatt calls the “Workday Start Up Ritual.” This ritual is a container for you to get ready for a productive day. It can vary with every person, but may include previewing your calendar, reviewing your to-do list and clearing your inbox.
The startup ritual can also include sensory habits such as your warm cup of coffee, starting a diffuser and opening blinds. You might also create a music playlist for your workday. Ambient noise is known to help you get work done, though you might experiment with the type of music or noise that gives you the optimal level of focus. Tying your transitions to sensory habits can also really help get your brain on board for what you’re about to do.

“The idea is to create an office space that you’re looking forward to walking into every day”

Your routine might also include the different types of work you do in blocks throughout the day. Having an ideal schedule for your work that you aspire to each day can help boost your productivity. Breaks are also a great thing to add into your routine. If possible, a walk in your neighborhood is a great option for your breaks. Not only are they good for your health, Stanford University also proved that they boost creativity!
You can also include a Workday Shut Down Ritual. This is the time of day where you can include things to help you end the workday well, set yourself up for success in the next day and clearly transition to being present while at off work. Your shut down ritual might include reviewing tomorrow’s to do list, reviewing your goals, closing out any communications and tidying your area. Cal Newport, author of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World even recommends having a phrase that you say such as, “I’m outta here,” or “Shutdown complete.” Other successful people have been known to take a moment to pray or meditate at the end of their workday.
One final tip to consider is to accept that distractions are definitely going to happen. With that in mind, plan for them. Consider ahead of time what sort of distractions might happen including other people or pets in the home, doorbells and even laundry. Decide ahead of time how you want to handle them, what your process for getting back to work can be and have a ground-rules conversation with family members.

Pick at least one of these tips to implement this week and see how it improves your workplace productivity and mood.

Blog

Tips for a happy and productive home office