With the Coronavirus pandemic, came a never before seen need to work from home. Large numbers of people have had to work from home for as long as is needed to mitigate the risk. Businesses small and large may be beginning to think about re-opening but nobody knows the true scale or length of time the unprecedented healthcare crisis we face will limit our lives in one way or another.
Flexible and remote working has been on the rise for many years now, since technology and legislation have developed to a point that facilitates this lifestyle well. Home working reduces travel time and costs and improves employee wellbeing because it provides a less stressful environment and improves work-life balance.
The current health crisis may be the worst we have yet witnessed as a planet in living memory but it’s not the first and the fear is that it won’t be the last, with rising populations and ever-increasing global interconnectedness. With the blessing of technology that facilitates it, it may be the time for people to seriously consider home working as a viable long-term option, whether in an employed or self-employed capacity.
How can you create an effective workspace in your home?
Many people struggle to work from home because there are so many more distractions, from kids running around making noise to the temptations of home comforts including the TV, sofa and the lure of the fridge.
The key to working effectively from home is to create a dedicated space as free of distractions as possible. Your workspace should be set up in such a way that promotes productivity, with the right equipment and technology to do your job effectively.
It is helpful to have a set work schedule and stick to it, making sure others in your household do not disturb you during these hours.
Garden rooms are becoming an increasingly popular way for people to work from home because they provide a beautiful workspace which is separate from the main house and all it’s distractions.
The great thing about a garden office is that you can design it to meet your working needs, so you’re not just making do with the inadequate space you have available indoors. If you run your own business, garden rooms often provide a space adequate to meet people’s entire business needs which dramatically cuts the cost of renting space elsewhere.
[adsense]Many types of business can run effectively from their garden, from internet ventures to beauty salons, art studios and personal training gyms. Much of what you can imagine can be facilitated in a garden room and they can be designed to scale and be future proof too.
For example, many people start their venture working alone from home but design their garden room to facilitate another three desks so they can employ staff easily when the need arises.
Having a garden room promotes a work mindset far more than using a room inside the main house because, even in some small way, you are still leaving the house and going to a different environment to start your working day. You get the best of both worlds, by travelling home from work each day in literally seconds.
Future proof your career now with a dedicated workspace at home
There’s never been a better time to create a lasting workspace in your own home. Getting the perfect space set up now, whilst you have the time to design and facilitate the installation, will set you up for many years to come.
If you’re an employee, you will be able to enjoy greater freedom by asking for flexible working rights from your employer and being able to demonstrate your capacity to work in this way.
If you’re self-employed or thinking of starting your own business, now is the time to take the plunge or take your business to the next level.
We don’t know what the future will hold or how things will change as a result of the current crisis. All we can do as individuals, is use the time we have wisely to rethink our habits and routines and restructure our lives to prepare as best we can for an uncertain future – working from home may just become the new norm.
