Tips to Make Your Home Office a Productive Space

Whether you're an office purist, or go to work in your pajamas, everyone needs a home office. The home office is a place where you can get away from the office cubicle and still get work done in a comfortable place.

If your home office is a place where you can focus and stay on task, it can be a great asset to your work productivity. If it is a cluttered mess that lacks organization however, it can be a major hurdle holding you back from taking that next step in your professional life. These simple tips on home office organization and simplicity can help you keep the comfortability of working from home, without sacrificing your productivity.

Everyone loves their pajamas. How could you not? They're so comfortable. They could be holding you back however in your productivity level at home. Instead of waking up and going to work a mess, act like you're actually going into the office and dress for success. This can get you off on the right foot to start out your day.

Dressing for success to start out your day can be the key to success. If you wear your typical office attire, you are automatically holding yourself to a higher standard, which will transfer to the quantity and quality of work you put in. Once you get to work however, your office organization can set your productivity back in a major way if all of a sudden you can't find that project file you've been slaving over for weeks. Keeping things where they need to be and keeping your supplies neat and organized will help you get a quick start and stay on task.

Another important key to being able to get work done in your home office is having a schedule to stick to. If you set out goals to accomplish throughout the day, you will be more motivated to stay on task and get things done. It can be too easy to get distracted at home by surfing the internet, focusing on things you could be doing around the house, and a myriad of other natural distractions we deal with on a daily basis. If you give yourself a schedule for the day with tasks to accomplish, you will be more likely to not be distracted and focus on getting your work done.

Working from home can be a luxury that many of us can take for granted. Take advantage of your precious time at home and get ahead on your work. Find a place where you can focus, without dreading the fact you are having to do work perhaps on the weekend. Give yourself strict tasks and deadlines and follow them. Stick to your schedule and keep your home office organized and free of clutter. Follow these tips and you may be surprised what you can accomplish!

Staying Productive in the Office

Whether you're working in a cubicle or from your home office, everyone has fallen victim to office distractions. You took one break on social media and all of a sudden, three hours have gone by and you're way behind on your work. Here are a few tips to help you stay on task and get the most productivity out of your time at work.


Limit Multitasking

Everyone thinks they can talk on the phone, complete an order form, and eat that sub they brought for lunch. The fact of the matter is, studies show multitasking is actually not possible for full productivity. Sometimes multitasking has to happen, but as much as you can, try and stick to one task at a time to access your full productivity. For other tips, go here.

Make a To-Do List

Some people love them, some people loathe them. Either way, to-do lists can be essential tools to keeping you on task and accomplishing as much as possible. Order the list with however many tasks you want, but be sure to be realistic. Finishing everything on your list will give you a sense of accomplishment and can inspire you to take on more. For more ideas on being productive, check out this article.


Avoid Procrastination

You always come through in the clutch. When your back is against the wall and you have to get the job done, everyone can always count on you. However, do you want to limit the stress in your life and increase your productivity? Then avoid procrastinating whenever you can. Work on projects in incremental parts as far ahead in advance. That way, when you do get down to crunch time, you've only got the finishing touches to take care of, rather than brewing a gallon of coffee and pulling an all-nighter. Check out this link for more tips on avoiding procrastination.

Stay Organized

Is your office space at work or home a complete pigsty? Keep your workspace clean and organized. If everything you need is easy to find, you'll spend less time searching for your items and more time on your project which will lead to more quality work. Start by organizing files, keeping project items together, and keep your supplies stocked. For more office design tips to help productivity, check out this link.


Keep Your Body Energized

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In all honesty, any meal is important when it comes to your work productivity. Keeping a full belly will contribute to a mind of full thoughts. Instead of running to the vending machine and grabbing that bag of chips, go for the almonds, fresh fruit, or other healthy alternatives. These foods will give you the real fuel you need that won't lead to your afternoon sugar crash after that candy bar. For more tips on keeping focused, go here.

Preventing Injuries in the Office

Often, people think of workplace accidents as occurring on construction sites or in factories. However, just going to work in an office causes you to run the risk of incurring a workplace injury. Many of the injuries are due to things like poorly maintained equipment, or objects that people can trip over. Just sitting at a desk, working at a computer or talking on the phone can cause damage to the eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome, and pain in the back or neck. The longer people work, the greater the likelihood of injury. Let’s talk about various types of injuries and how to prevent them.

Falling

Falling is the most likely accident to occur in an office environment. Falls typically occur when a worker slips on a wet floor, trips over an object, reaches for something while occupying a chair that is unstable, or uses a chair as a ladder. To avoid falling in the office:

•    Clean up spills as they occur

•    If you see an object that’s out of place, move it

•    Get out of your chair when reaching for things

•    Report tripping hazards like loose carpet to the person responsible for fixing them

•    Don’t stand on chairs – use a stepladder

•    Watch where you’re going.

Remember, a fall is the type of injury that’s most likely to result in a disabling injury. You could end up being off work for a long time after a bad fall.

Colliding with Objects

Frequently, workers bump into things like file cabinets, copiers, desks, open doors, and of course, other people. They may also get hit by things that get dropped or fall from the tops of cabinets. Then there’s a danger of jamming your fingers in paper cutters or drawers, or getting caught in machinery. To avoid being injured by objects in the office:

•    Keep your fingers away from machinery and drawers

•    Keep your hair and jewelry away from machinery

•    Open doors carefully – someone could be standing on the other side

•    Stay alert and watch what you’re doing.

You can also enlist the help of your office manager in ensuring workplace safety. Suggest that he or she outline a policy for proper storage of objects, and make sure that machinery is equipped with safety guards.

Lifting

Lifting, if done improperly, can result in injury. Your shoulders, neck and back are very vulnerable to injuries caused by lifting. To avoid lifting injuries:

•    Lift by squatting, and lift with your legs, not your back

•    Put things down the same way, using your legs instead of your back

•    Keep your back straight

•    Pick up smaller objects using your whole hand, not just the fingers.

Keep in mind that even small amounts of weight can cause injury if you don’t lift properly. If you’re in doubt, get someone to help you.

Ergonomic Injuries

If your workstation isn’t compatible with your body, you could develop problems with your shoulders, back and neck, and could also develop carpal tunnel syndrome or eyestrain. It’s important to make sure that your workstation is properly set up, and also to get up and move around for time to time. To avoid ergonomic injuries, you have to make sure that your workstation is set up properly. To do this:

Adjust your chair in such a way that your thighs are parallel with the floor, your feet rest comfortably on the floor, and your lower back is supported.

Make sure that when you’re typing, your wrists are straight, and your forearms are at a 90-degree angle.

Make sure that the top of your computer monitor’s screen is at eye level.

Ensure that the computer screen is glare-free.

Use as little motion and force as possible when stapling or typing.

Most injuries in the office, second to falls, are due to poor ergonomics. Make sure you’re not running the risk of repetitive stress injury or other issues due to a poorly designed workstation.

Personalizing Your Workspace

Whether you have an actual office, or you’re a cubicle-dweller, or even if you work in an open play office, it’s important to feel that you have your own space. Most people spend about half their waking time at work, so it’s important to feel that there’s something about the workspace that makes it your own. There aren’t any real rules; nothing is etched in stone. You can be creative and you can do something interesting even with the smallest space and the most modest surroundings. Here are some things you can do to personalize your workspace.

Feel Free to Be Yourself

If you’re putting your personal stamp on your workspace, begin with some attractively framed photos of your family, friends, or places that mean a lot to you. Pictures of your pets can be great conversation-starters. You can add a few other touches as well. Perhaps you’re passionate about elephants? Bring in a few ornaments – nothing too overwhelming; you don’t want it to looks as though you’ve cleaned out the dollar store. However, a few well-arranged items can say a lot about who you are as a person, and can give you something enjoyable to look at when you’re ready to give your eyes a rest from the computer screen.

Sansevieria Plant

Add a Touch of the Outdoors

Often a touch of greenery can bring a bit of life to what might otherwise be a sterile environment. Plants have the added benefit of improving air quality by removing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Many plants will thrive in an office, under fluorescent lighting. Good choices are English Ivy, Philodendron, and Sansevieria (snake plant), which can tolerate low levels of light. If your workplace permits, you might even want to add a small aquarium. Live fish can provide another very restful way of taking your eyes off the computer screen.

Fake the Outdoors

You could hang a mural or a big photo to mimic a window. Frame it with window molding, and it will be almost as good as the real thing for offices that don’t have the genuine article.

Customize Your Walls

Even a cubicle with half-walls can be spruced up with a wallpaper border, or perhaps a bit of fabric. Wall treatments can be attached using Velcro so that if you move from time to time, you can take your decorative treatments with you.

Enhance Your Lighting

Most office spaces are lit using fluorescent lighting – it’s cost-effective and easy to maintain, so it’s usually the best solution. However, fluorescent lighting causes some people to develop headaches. If this sounds like you, just adding a small lamp to your workspace can make a great deal of difference by providing a calming effect.

Use Your Imagination

Keep in mind that these are just suggestions. You’re a creative person, and you can probably think of other things that you can do that will create a more personal environment for you in your office or cubicle, or even just at a desk in an open area. Make sure that you check out what you want to do with your supervisor first, though – some workplaces have restrictions on some of the suggestions we’ve made (plants, for example), and your employer does have the right to determine what can and can’t be brought into the workplace.

Enjoy!

Have fun with personalizing your workspace – you’ll find that once things are arranged the way you’d like, and your space is uniquely your own, work will be more enjoyable. You may even find that you’re more productive, and that’s something no employer can find fault with.

Office Chairs for Large People

Did you know that the average office chair is intended to handle only people who weigh up to 250 pounds and that most chairs won’t stand up to a person weighing even 200 pounds for more than a few months? Given the fact that overweight people are actually in the majority in North America, this seems a bit counter-intuitive. A lot of people need office chairs that are a good deal sturdier. Having a chair break beneath you can be humiliating, and of course it’s expensive to keep on replacing office chairs. You may need to spend a bit more, but it’s going to be necessary to purchase sturdier chairs for larger workers.

What Does a Large Person Need in an Office Chair?

First and foremost, the seat has to be wider than usual. Sitting in a chair that makes you feel as if you’re “fastened in” because the armrests aren’t far enough apart isn’t going to make for a comfortable day at work.

The back will also need to be wider and firmer, and there should be additional padding on both the back and the seat. This is because a large person will cause the padding to compress more than usual, and the chair needs to maintain a decent level of comfort all day.

Wheels need to be well-constructed so that the chair will roll even when the person’s full weight is in the chair. The chair should also be easy to adjust – for that matter, any office chair should be easily adjusted.

Pay attention to these details when choosing your chair. You’re going to be paying more for a large person’s chair, and you want to make sure that you get the most for your money.

Good Health For Large People in the Office

This isn’t meant to be judgmental, but it’s important for everyone to make sure they get some time of exercise when they’re in a sedentary job. For large people, it takes on great significance because they’re generally more prone to illnesses like heart attacks or strokes than their trimmer co-workers. It’s important to move around from time to time, so get up and stretch a bit, or just wander about.

It’s also important to remain properly hydrated. Coffee doesn’t do it – it’s actually a diuretic, and diet sodas aren’t really all that good for you. To keep your vital organs working properly, make sure that you drink plenty of water while you’re at work. Fruit juices, in moderation, can also be a good alternative to coffee and soda.

A Hint for Everyone

This tip isn’t specific to large people. No matter what size you are, or what size office chair you need to occupy, it’s very important not to spend too much time at your desk staring at a computer screen. Many people, after a long day at the computer, find that their eyes are burning and they just want to lie down and cover their eyes with a nice cool cloth. Other people might go home and think that their eyes are just fine. However, you can actually damage your eyes if you spend a lot of time staring at a screen over the same distance, and often you won’t even experience symptoms. It’s important to make sure that you look away from time to time and focus on other things. Your eyes need exercise, just like the rest of you.

Summary

It’s worth spending the money on a heavier, sturdier chair designed for large people if you weigh over 250 pounds. It’s also important to look after your overall health, both in the workplace and at home.

How to Clean Your Office Chair

This one might be a lost cause

Most people tend to give their office chair a pretty rough time. The worker probably doesn’t exist who hasn’t, at one time or another, spilled a cup of coffee or a can of soda on their chair. Workers who eat at their desks leave other types of stains. And almost everyone, at one time or another, has gotten something nasty on their hands and taken the easy way out, using their office chair to wipe it off. Assuming that you don’t want to leave your office chair in the condition it can end up in following incident after incident, here are some suggestions for effective cleaning.

Consider the Material

Before you begin cleaning, you’ll want to determine what type of material your chair is made of. If it’s vinyl or leather, probably all you’re going to have to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth and maybe a bit of mild detergent. If it’s fabric, however, make sure you know what kind. Take a look under the seat – often, the manufacturer places a tag in that location that tells you the fabric composition. The tag may even provide cleaning instructions. If there aren’t any instructions, you can probably safely assume that the fabric is at least half polyester, since most office chairs are upholstered using synthetic fabrics. This is because synthetics don’t stain all that easily, and again you might not have to clean vigorously. In fact, if you get to the stain before it sets, you might be able to just sponge it off with a bit of clear water. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to get to spills before the stain sets, because the manufacturer won’t warranty the chair against stains.

Commercial Upholstery Cleaners

Most upholstery cleaners are foam-based, and will clean, freshen and deodorize soiled upholstery. To use a foam cleaner, dampen the chair with a clean rag and some water, but don’t soak it. Then spray on the cleaner, and wipe it in with the rag. Use a dry towel to soak up the excess moisture. Repeat until the upholstery has been cleaned to your satisfaction. This option is ideal for most because you can just keep a bottle in a nearby closet.

Solvents

Solvents are intended to be used as spot treatments, so getting to the stain soon after it occurs is important. Apply the solvent to the stain using a scrubber or a toothbrush. Let it sit for about ten minutes, and then rub gently with a damp towel until the stain disappears. 

Do-it-Yourself Upholstery Cleaner

This is a cheaper alternative to commercial upholstery cleaner. Dilute one part of mild dishwashing detergent in 20 parts warm water. Using a rag, apply the solution in a circular motion, blotting with a clean, damp cloth as you go. Continue rinsing until you don’t see any more soap, and then blot the area dry with a clean towel.

Rug Doctor

If you’re cleaning a lot of chairs, or if they’re very dirty, you might want to consider renting a Rug Doctor with a furniture attachment from your local hardware or grocery store. It’s not as expensive as hiring a company to come in and steam clean your chairs, and you’ll get the same results.

Prevention

It’s always better to prevent stains than to try to deal with them after they’ve happened. If you can afford it, go with a vinyl upholstered office chair instead of the cheaper fabric. It will cost a bit more to begin with, but you’ll save on cleaning costs over the long run. If you have to go with fabric, at least apply an upholstery protector like Scotch Guard before using the chair – it will make stains easier to deal with as they happen.

Exercising At The Office

From the dawn of evolution, people were built to move around, not to spend their whole lives sitting at a desk. It doesn’t matter how ergonomically friendly your office furniture is, the fact is that prolonged sitting results in sore backs, headaches, and a general feeling of sluggishness. Then, of course, there’s the problem of weight gain when a person has a basically sedentary lifestyle. You need to exercise, but there’s the time factor. If you’re so busy with work that family life takes a back seat, as it does for many modern workers, where are you going to find the time to exercise?

Believe it or not, you could actually squeeze in a little exercise at work. Take a break from time to time and try these easy, fun office exercises.

Hip Hike

The adult worker probably doesn’t exist who hasn’t had at least one episode of pain in the area of the lower back over the course of their work history. This is an easy exercise that you can do without even leaving your office chair, and it’s very effective in easing lower back pain. Start by sitting up straight – imagine that there’s a string attached to the top of your head and it’s pulling you toward the ceiling. Now, lift your left butt-cheek up until it’s as close to being off the seat of the chair as you can get it without actually standing up. Now return it to the chair. Do the same with your right butt-cheek. Go back to the left, and get a sort of “rocking” motion going, from cheek to cheek. Do this for about thirty seconds at a time.

Office Chair Squat

Office Chair Squat

This is a very simple exercise, but it’s also one of the most effective for overall body strengthening. Start by standing as tall as you can – again, imagine that string attached to your head that’s pulling you upward. Relax your shoulders, and lift up your toes so that they’re touching the inside tops of your shoes. This centers your feet, and will help you to be sure that you’re doing the squat properly. Now, with your back straight, lower your butt until it’s about an inch away from the seat of the office chair. Try to hold this position for ten seconds. Remember, it’s important to keep your knees behind the toes so that you don’t cause undue stress to your knee joints. The muscles in your butt are what you’ll use to get your body back to its original standing position.

Rule #18 - LIMBER UP

Victory Stretch

When you’re sitting at a desk for hours, your posture often suffers. This exercise will improve your posture and it’s also great for the inner core. Start by breathing in and sitting up straight. Now, exhale and stretch your spine, trying to make your body seem as tall as you can. Hold the position, and then lean forward. Extend your arms and open your chest, as if you were pushing upward on the ceiling. Rinse and Repeat.

Business Flight

This exercise is very beneficial for the mid-back and the hamstrings, which are the areas that are most often compromised when a person occupies a sedentary position for several hours during the run of the day. Stand up straight – use the “imaginary string” again to pull you into position. Use your hips as you would a hinge, bending over while extending one leg and allowing the other to hold the weight of your body. You’ll want your torso and the extended leg to be parallel with the floor. Hold the position for three seconds, and then go back to your original position. Do this for about a minute on each leg, and then switch legs and repeat the exercise.

Summary

It would be ideal if you could build a visit to the gym or at least regular walks into your daily routine. However, if you’re really pressed for time, these easy exercises can be done during quick breaks at work. They will certainly have a profound effect on your physical health and mental clarity, and gear you up for your regional office chair race.