And here we are nearly eight months later - you're working remotely from home, and your back is feckin killing you, your neck is feckin killing you - your other half is ready to feckin kill you. Working at the kitchen table or in the bedroom is not a long term solution.
Working from home can be a pain - in the neck and back.
Now it's time to change.
It's time to sort out your work environment for the long term - hopefully. Because when you do go back to the office, it probably won't be five days a week. Remote working should become part of your new work culture. So now we are going to do home working the right way.
And unless you want to become best friends with the local Physiotherapist, it's time to up your game.
So here are some tips and suggestions - based on my experience.
Best pals with your Physio? Time to change.
Get out of the house.
Or get a place that is exclusively for your use as a home office. But in my opinion, if you work within the home don't be surprised if you get distracted with home duties. I think the better option is to get your own space out of the house - like a garden office. I got a great one from these fantastic people, and I love it.
Your own space. Peace and quiet.
Overload
I had reached the point where I occupied a bedroom and the dining room and the kitchen. Both rooms were full of servers, PC's Mac's Hard Drives, broken computers and other crap - I knew what was coming - the writing was on the wall (No I hadn't begun writing on the wall- are you mad - that's what kids are for.)
It was time to get out.
I find the simple process of walking out of the house to your own space is transformative.
My home became a computer dumping ground.
Moving in
So once you have your workspace, if possible out of the house, you are ready to optimise your environment.
Desk and Chair
My Physio recommends everyone try a yoga ball as well as an office chair. Alternating between both (see this article) It ensures good posture and gives your core a workout. Just make sure you don't kick back and relax as this could result in an embarrassing fall. Another alternative is to put a wobble cushion on your office chair. The cushion still works the core but without the danger of space hopping into A&E.
When choosing an office chair, get a good one with adjustable height and good lumbar support.
Get a desk with enough real estate to comfortably contain your PC, monitor (preferably two), mouse and keyboard, desk light, phone holder and charger. Also, consider an Amazon Alexa or Google Home for internet radio as company and to help out with spelling, maths etc. Consider a standing desk (all the rage) which allows you to alternate your working position. (When sitting back down on the yoga ball, make sure your aim is true!)
Alternative office chair?
Internet and WiFi
Good internet access is vital - if your office is out of the home powerline adapters are a great way to get broadband to your home office see here. Powerline adapters deliver internet access over your mains cables - you plug one in beside the router and one in your office and bingo you have internet in your office.
Good WiFi is essential.
Zoom/Teams
With most meetings going online, you will need to ensure you are ready to participate in your online video calls. Get a good quality full HD webcam for your PC, if it doesn't already come with one, and ensure you have the window to one side of your desk. If the window is behind the monitor, you won't be able to see it. If it is behind you will silhoutted like an anonymous victim in an undercover report - if you go this route why not add a voice changer to get the full effect!
Online meetings are the new norm.
That’s all for now folks. Keep an eye out for Part II - coming soon. And while you are here why not check out my other blogs here?