The COVID-19 pandemic really changed our view of remote work and the levels of productivity that can be achieved without having to come into the office. While many were happy to return to their office and see their colleagues once again, there are those who chose to remain in their home offices.  To some, the benefits of working from home simply outweigh those of working in a corporate office setting, like the lack of commuting, more flexible hours, and the option to work while wearing their favorite PJs and snacking on their favorite food.  However, there are downsides to home office setups that simply aren’t present in a corporate setting, and those are almost exclusively distractions that impede our productivity. To prevent this, we’ll discuss how you can organize your home office setup for productivity.  Choose a Designated Space While there are those who can focus on work anywhere and at any time, like at a café or in their living room, not everyone has that level of discipline. The distractions are everywhere, from the TV to entertainment access to your smartphone.  That’s why it’s important to choose a designated space inside your home to be your home office. Organizing this space to minimize distractions is the first step towards better productivity, as it helps you better concentrate on your work and accomplish tasks more efficiently.  Further organizational optimizations to your workspace will only further enhance your focus and productivity. Just look at Linus Torvalds’ home office; the father of Linux maintains a minimalist office that helps him eliminate distractions and maintain focus and productivity.  Invest in Ergonomics It’s really hard to work if you’re uncomfortable. Sure, sitting on your couch might seem like a good idea until your neck, back, and bottom start to ache. Believe it or not, investing in an ergonomic chair can boost your productivity by as much as 20%.  So, it really makes sense to invest in an ergonomic chair, and a monitor arm that would raise your monitor to your eye level—or a laptop stand if you’re using a laptop. This will prevent you from slouching and keep you motivated throughout the day. We also suggest buying a coffee table—like the one made by Patio Productions—so that you can rest your coffee while you relax in your home office during your break. Additionally, it’s a good idea to invest in some ergonomic peripherals. Computer mice are great, but they’re not really designed with ergonomics in mind; the same applies to keyboards. So, it’s a really good idea to invest in an ergonomically designed mouse and keyboard that would keep your wrists in a neutral position while you click and type. This will prevent the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.  Embrace Natural and Ambient Light The lack of natural lighting can make you feel drowsy and tired, thus impeding your productivity. Fortunately, you can organize your home office how you see fit, so try to find a spot where there’s plenty of natural light. This will increase your alertness, improve your mood, and enhance your productivity.  If you’re working at night, you should avoid working in dimly lit spaces, with monitor light shining in your face while the rest of the room is dark. This type of environment will only strain your eyes and damage your eyesight. Consider adjustable lighting to brighten your work area, help you stay alert and productive, and help you maintain healthy eyesight.  Upgrade Your Tech This is really important for anyone who spends long working hours in their home office. Stream Deck, though widely popular among streamers, is a completely configurable piece of tech that allows you to run scripts and macros during your work. If you’re working with multimedia, investing in a good, color-accurate monitor and high-quality noise-canceling headphones and microphones can make a massive difference in your workflow and help you not just maintain your focus but also enhance your productivity further.  Declutter Your Workspace More is less when it comes to home offices, and this plays well with minimizing distractions. The more stuff you have scattered and lying around your home office, the more distracted you’ll be simply because the mess demands attention and impedes workflow. Imagine going through a pile of papers and documents spread on your desk just to find that one thumb drive buried beneath.  Being organized can help you maintain productivity and reduce your workday by up to an hour. It’s a good idea to invest in organizational tools and items, such as baskets, drawers, and vertical storage, for your home office. Additionally, while it may be difficult to take another 15 minutes after a long day’s work, take the time to simply return everything to its rightful place and clean around your workspace. Entering a clean working environment has beneficial effects on your productivity.  Summary Organizing your home office for productivity can help you perform more effectively and do more work in a shorter amount of time without hindering your comfort. Note that staying organized is a process that requires careful optimization of both space and workflow to prioritize staying as productive as possible.  The post How to Maximize Your Home Office Setup for Productivity appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.