The WoW Style

Many companies are moving toward remote work structures in order to cut down on office space costs, encourage more work/life balance, and compete with other industries. Working from home is pretty ideal, but it can definitely have its flaws. Sometimes your WiFi cuts out, your neighbors are loud, or maybe you’re trying to get work done from the comfort of your queen bed with no avail. The good news: there are plenty of ways you can combat the WFH struggles and even increase productivity and work quality.

If you need help leveling up your WFH strategy, check out these gadgets and tips that make working from home a breeze.

The essentials

There are a few things you simply need in order to get your work from home operation up and running:

• A reliable computer: This one is pretty obvious. In the modern age, you need a computer to do practically anything in your personal and professional life. But here are some things to think about when investing in a computer for work from home days.

– Look for something lightweight and easy to travel with
– Pair your laptop with a display screen to maximize your view
– Make sure your computer can process multiple programs at once

• A cell phone: Staying up to date with progress, changes, and projects oftentimes happens over text, phone calls, and FaceTimes when you work remotely. Make sure you have a reliable phone and phone plan that allow you to stay connected any time you’re on the clock.
• A printer: You never know when you’ll need to sign a contract, preview a print project, or take a red pen to a piece of work. Invest in the smallest portable printer you can find so that you can maximize printing capabilities without sacrificing the office space.
• A strong internet connection: There are few things worse than a dodgy internet connection. Consider what programs you’ll need to run on a daily basis and ensure that your WiFi is capable of connecting without an issue.

For communication

Communication is key to succeeding in a remote work environment—without constant contact between team members things can fall through the cracks or get miscommunicated. Consider adding an internal messaging platform like Slack to your tech stack to foster greater connection and collaboration between colleagues.

And for those client calls that require some face to face interaction or screen sharing, you might want to use a conference calling service to help you host a more productive, more successful meeting.

For productivity

Staying productive when you’re in your pajamas is no simple task. It’s all too easy to get distracted with household chores and external distractions, but using a task management program is a great way to keep you on track for deadlines.

Some of the most popular project management tools include:

• Trello
• Asana
• Jira
• Workzone

In addition to refining your productivity process, it’s also important to address other distractions that can mess with your workflow. A pair of noise-canceling headphones can work wonders for loud neighbors, aggressive typists, and other offenders of work from home distraction.

For your workspace

Speaking of limiting distractions, it’s time for us to talk about your workspace. If you’re trying to work day in and day out from a dark bedroom without a real desk, chances are, you’re not getting much done and you’ll be over the WFH life in no time.

Set up a space (separate from your bedroom if you can) that’s dedicated to getting things done. Invest in a proper desk and chair to create a place that’s designed for productivity. If there’s a space in your home that has a lot of natural light, consider moving your office here as natural light can improve mental focus and clarity. Order some plants online from The Sill for your desk space to promote an uplifted mood and energy. And finally, be minimalistic about your design to minimize distractions as much as possible.

If working from your house isn’t going as planned, consider migrating to a coffee shop, library, or maybe even join a shared workspace to improve your WFH flow.

Key takeaways

Working from home can be a huge perk for employees, but it comes with several challenges. Use these gadgets and tips to help you drive success from the comfort of your living room.