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September 6, 2016 0 Comments

5 Ways to Add Style to Your Home Office

When you work from home, you’re bound to spend a lot of time in your home office.  We’ve already discussed the importance of having a separate space just for work, but does it inspire you?

While your office doesn’t need to look like it came from the pages of a home design magazine, you can add small trinkets or design elements that make it feel fun and like home.  After all, you want to be comfortable (and inspired) while you work!  Read along for some easy tips and tricks to make your home office into a comfortable, beautiful space that’s all your own.

Add some color

Color can change an entire room! Think beyond basic white or beige and add some bright, fun paint or simply incorporate colorful items.  Another idea is to do one or two basic colors with one bright pop of color incorporated gently throughout.  A little bit of color adds a lot of style, as your eye will be drawn to that and it will make the room seem more complete.

If you’re a bit afraid of color, start by thinking of your favorite one and add it sparingly among more earthy, basic tones.

Here are some expert tips to help with color in your workspace.

Organization

Storage can be fun! There are so many unique and innovative boxes, bins, and shelves to use for purpose and style.  Did you know that floating wall shelves come in a ton of different patterns and colors?  Start somewhere like The Container Store or Target for accessible options in price and style.

Another avenue of organization can come in the form of desk organizers, planners, and fun touches like chalkboards and white boards.  Take what you love about organization – and what works for you – and put a stylish spin on it.  Make it part of the room, instead of having to tuck it away because it doesn’t go with the color scheme.

Decor Items

There are so many decor and design elements that you can consider in a home office.  From lighting to rugs to fun knick knacks (just avoid overcluttering!) and organization items, there’s never a lack of ideas for adding fun to your office space.

Start with lighting – there are floor lamps, desk lamps, table lamps, and more.  With rugs, you can choose small area rugs with bright pops of color or a large area rug that’s more functional.  The options are truly limitless, but they are all areas to look into if you want to bump your style game up a notch.

A Stylish Desk

A desk and a nice chair can go a long way to adding style to your home office.  It often seems that these items are just typical fare and aren’t very exciting, but you can certainly find desks and chairs in unique colors and styles.  Desks come in a variety of weights and woods, and these days, can even be made in acrylic or lucite.  Chairs can be made to be stylish but ergonomic, padded, or simply fashionable.  Take your pick and use these items as ways to incorporate the color, theme and style of your other office items.

Personal Touch

Add some of your favorite items that showcase your personality and favorite colors. You can also feature your children’s artwork, awards or diplomas, and other things that just make your space feel like home.   Personal style is a major part of overall style and look, so don’t be afraid to incorporate items that are meaningful to you.

Creating a warm, personal home office is a lot of fun and can add a lot of style to your day.  When our offices are well styled and feel like us, it’s easier and more inviting to spend time in them – increasing productivity and efficiency in our daily work lives.

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July 18, 2016 0 Comments

4 Ways to Stay Connected When Working from Home

When you work from home, it can be difficult to integrate social interaction into your day.  While your kids may be home with you, it’s still important to maintain a social life – digitally and in person.  Staying connected to co-workers and employers is very important, as is maintaining your social life as a work from home employee.

Stay in touch during the day

Skype is an excellent tool for a call or chat during the day, which is useful for friends or co-workers and employers.  It almost gives you an office feel to be able to chat with your co-workers “face to face” for a few moments, and it’s also more personal than a typical call.  The chat feature makes it easy to talk to co-workers, employers, or tech support employees in other countries without the back and forth of email.

If you’re feeling disconnected from your team, see if you can integrate weekly calls to stay on track and maintain contact.  When you and your team stay connected, less items slip through the cracks, and a more solid connection is able to be formed through frequent contact.

Network

Networking online via Facebook and LinkedIn Groups is great, but getting out is even better!

Utilize sites such as Meetup.com to find social and professional groups of interest to you, or join your local chamber for casual and high profile events that can boost your personal and professional circle.  Not only does networking get you out and about, but it allows you to bolster your professional relationships with other working people, all while getting to learn more about your community in business.

Work outside

This goes for outside the home or physically outside!  A change of scenery is known to be very helpful by boosting productivity and giving your mind a mental break from the same old thing.

Go outside on a nice day and spend an hour working while breathing in the fresh air, or take the kids for a picnic during the day.  You can bring some work along to do after you eat and they play!

If it’s winter or the weather isn’t cooperating, simply get outside the house for a few hours per week.  Your local coffee or cafe shop is always a great option, and they almost always have wifi available.  Again, this is another way to change up your work scenery and come back refreshed.

Get out and meet

Make a point to get out of the house a few days per week.  Whether you meet up with a friend for lunch every Friday afternoon, or plan your grocery shopping over Tuesday’s lunch hour, it’s just great to get out and get some fresh air when you work from home.

It’s also important that some of your outside the house time is social – plan walks with friends, meet for lunch, work together at a park or find a new walking trail to check out on your lunch hour.

While working from home isn’t a traditionally social environment, you can stay in touch with friends, family, and co-workers and have a satisfying social life by taking a few extra steps to stay connected!

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June 20, 2016 0 Comments

4 Tips for Good Desk Posture

We all know that sitting at a desk all day is not ideal, but it’s a part of work.  According to DIYGenius.com, “Scientists believe that anyone sitting more than 6 hours a day is at a heightened risk of developers problems and this much sitting may be as bad as smoking a pack of cigarettes everyday.”  It’s very clear that sitting has long term health implications, including postural issues.

Since we’re prone to long days seated at a desk, here are some tips and tricks to improve health and posture during your workday.

Look into standing desks

A standing desk is just as it says – a desk that allows you to stand and work.  The benefits of a standing desk include less strain on your back from sitting, less time spent being sedentary, and approximately 50 more calories burned per hour.  

The desk is designed with your computer up much higher, so you don’t have to hunch over to stand and work.  While standing desks can be a great way to improve posture and avoid sitting all day, it’s still important to give yourself a break from time to time.

If you do go with a standing desk, look into establishing a schedule that combines periods of sitting with standing.

Stretch it out

Stretching is a great antidote to sitting all day! You don’t have to go into a full yoga routine, but some simple desk stretches can make a big difference in how you feel.

There are numerous back, neck, and leg stretches you can do directly at your desk, so there’s no excuse!

Click here for some simple desk stretches from BestHealthmag.ca.  

Sit properly

In this case, this has nothing to do with manners and everything to do with your health!  Sitting in an ergonomically proper way is key to feeling comfortable and eliminating long term damage at a desk job.

According to Mayoclinic.com, your monitor should be at arm’s length away, wrists should be straight, hands at or below elbow level, and your chair should be adjusted at a height so that your knees are about level with your hips.  Additionally, the top of your monitor’s screen should be at or slightly below eye level.

It’s also very important to sit back fully into your chair and sit up straight.  If you catch yourself hunching over, straighten back up and do a few stretches before resuming work.  Click here for more tips on office ergonomics.

Take breaks

Breaks are key to mental and physical health when you sit at a desk for your job.  Get up and walk around, stretch, take your dog around the block, or simply walk in place.  This is great for your posture – it gives you a moment to roll your shoulders back, shake off the stress, and start over.  Also, when you give your body a chance to really relax for a moment, you reduce the physical stress that you’re holding onto.

Take care of your body, set up your workstation correctly, and use correct postural tips to ensure that you stay healthy and safe while working!

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May 9, 2016 0 Comments

4 Tips for Work From Home Moms

Many people work from home, but not all of those people are parents.  While working from home affords a lot of flexibility and schedule changes most of the time, it can still be a challenge to juggle work as a work from home mom.

With some adjustments to your schedule and reaching out to others, you can still get work done while prioritizing family.

Use naptime

Utilize naptime to your advantage! If your children still take naps during the day, do your best to keep them on a schedule and plan to get your most challenging work done during this time.  While naps aren’t typically hours and hours in length, they can provide enough time for 100% focus.

Ask for help

Whether it’s family or friends, asking for help is a key tip.  If you don’t have family close by, you can look into children’s groups or babysitters available during the day.  In this day and age, there are even babysitters who come to your house for the day and can watch your kids in the comfort of their own home.

You don’t have to reach out for outside help every day, but if you can get a few hours or free days once in awhile, it can mean a lot to your productivity.

Keep your space

We’ve said it before, but keeping a separate space for work is key to staying on task with kids.  While you can’t always be without distraction, it’s easier to really focus on those uninterrupted hours in a designated space.

When you set up your office space for success, it’s much easier to access necessary materials and get work done in a neat, quiet, and personalized environment.  Keeping this separate from working at the counter or on the couch allows you to separate work from home, which also tells your family when you are working versus being wife and/or mom.

Set it up

You can look into educational or physical activities for children outside of the home.  Is there a local swim team?  Maybe there are discovery classes on various topics from karate to nature walks and education.  Not only does this allow your children to participate in activities outside of the home, it gives you more free time.  Do your best to set up these times in advance, so you’re able to know when you can be the most productive.

If there isn’t much going on outside the home, set up your kids with and educational toy or activity here and there to keep them engaged and enriched.

Working from home with kids can be a challenge but it’s not impossible.   All it takes is some tweaks of the schedule and planning ahead.  By creating a productivity plan that works best for you, you’re giving your children the opportunity to be entertained while maintaining your work balance.

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March 22, 2016 0 Comments

5 Steps to An Organized Office

Organization is the key to success! Creating and maintaining systems of organization will allow you to work more effectively, efficiently, and with less chaos.

From your computer screen to your most important files, taking the time to organize will streamline your daily process and your office into a manageable system that seems to run itself.  Read along for some best practices in establishing a sufficient, organized office.

Declutter first

The golden rule of cleaning and organization is to declutter first, organize second.  It’s important to get all of the “junk” off of workspace before you can begin to organize it.  Take a day to go through every single paper, office supply, magazine, piece of mail, and so on, and put it into organized piles.

From here, invest in organization tools that will keep your items in order.  Think mail bins, desktop office supply organizers, shelving for more space, and so on.

Don’t forget your computer

Your desk isn’t the only thing that can become highly disorganized! Your computer is equally as chaotic when it’s not in order.  Start with your desktop – remove or digitally file away all of those past files, while creating new folders and files that make sense to you.  Be sure that everything looks neat and orderly,and make sure it’s all easily accessible.   We spend so much time viewing our computer during the day, and removing the clutter from your desktop and old files removes mental and visual clutter!

Not only is your desktop important to organize, but so is your inbox.  Make sure that emails and accounts are segmented by job position, employer, task, and so on.  Create a system that makes important communications easy to find!  Flagging messages is also a great way to stay organized and find things easily.

File it

Filing is incredibly important, especially for important items like tax information, business expenses, and so on.  Keep things clear and simple by categorizing, creating a color code system, or using a label maker and folders to segment your items.

Don’t just shove things in a file! Keep them organized and set up a filing appointment weekly. You can also look into digital filing systems for business cards and important documents, which is especially important for taxes and business structure.

Use the space

There’s a probably a lot of office space that you’re not utilizing!  There’s wall space for extra shelving, under desk space which is great for filing boxes and cabinets, and desk drawer space for organized office supplies. Closets are good for old binders, extra printer paper, and so on.

Put as many items out of view (in an organized way, of course!) as possible.  Vow to keep your desk as a clutter-free zone that only includes the most necessary items.  Don’t forget to go through and keep your desk drawer and/or organizers in order as well.

Everything in its place

Everything has a place and it’s your job to keep it that way.  Set up a designated area for work, which would be your desk, a place for all of your filing and organizational items, like your filing cabinet, and a place for older items, such as a shelf in your closet.

When you take the time to establish an organizational system that works for you, it’s so much easier to find important items and stay on track.  It also clears the mental and physical clutter from your life, which is not only healthy, but much more efficient.

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February 29, 2016 0 Comments

3 Tips to Declutter Your Desk

Decluttering is hugely important, especially when it’s a space that you’re using on a daily basis for work.  When we see clutter, it can interrupt productivity and cause unnecessary stress.  By acknowledging the clutter and coming up with a plan to keep it at bay, you’ll be able to work more effectively and in much more peace.

Read along for some best practices in decluttering your work desk.

Create a plan

Your decluttering plan doesn’t need to be time-consuming or involved! Simply decide what needs to stay, what needs to go, what can stay out, what needs to be filed, and so on.  Create these categories on a sheet of paper and go through each item or category, one by one.

Invest in the right supplies

The next part of your plan will be to invest in the actual supplies! It’s very important that you do step one – organizing and planning – before purchasing your supplies.  You won’t know what you need until you see what you already have.

This doesn’t need to be an extravagant investment, as typically a few space organizers, a solid system for success, and creative space-saving ideas are usually all you need.

Here are just a few ideas to get your home office on the path to decluttered:

  • Drawers are your friend: Utilize them to keep all small office supplies, such as paperclips, extra pens, rulers, etc.  These are out of sight, which helps with stress levels.  Seeing small items on your desk all the time is jarring, so keeping them safely away (and easily accessible!) is a two-fold win.  You can purchase drawer and desk organizers starting around $5.

  • Start labeling: Labels are very helpful, especially if you have a lot of storage boxes and bins.  Create labels that make sense to your filing and organizing system and stick with them.  Use a font, color, and size that’s easily readable, and place the labels so they’re easy to read from the angle of the storage container.

  • Try scanning: If you don’t need to keep physical paperwork, try scanning.  There are numerous machines that can scan for you, as well as offer you organization on your computer.  This is very helpful for those stacks of business cards, receipts, old yet important papers and so on.  The ultimate bonus is that scanning papers allows you to disregard them, freeing up space on your desk.

Keep it going

Once your plan is set and you have all the right supplies, be sure to keep things decluttered.  It’s easy to fall back into your old routine, but it’s worth it to stay on top of your newly organized workspace.

Take a few minutes to add “decluttering” to your calendar right now.  This can be done in 3-5 minutes per day, or you can choose to spend 15-20 minutes at the end of each week.  Choose whatever option is doable for you and stick to it!

By creating a solid plan and systems, purchasing the right supplies, and staying on top of your cluttered desk, you’ll be well on your way to a more peaceful, efficient workday.

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February 15, 2016 0 Comments

4 Easy Stretches To Do at Your Desk

We all know it’s important to move about our day and get up and stretch.  If we don’t, we risk suffering from back pain, weight gain, and various other health issues.  While working from home makes it easier to get up and stretch, sometimes it’s not ideal to get up and do so when needed.

Whether you’re on a call, just need a quick break, or want to stay seated, easy desk stretches are important in your daily work life.  We’ve compiled some of the best options below for increased mobility, blood flow, and energy throughout your day.

Fix Tight Hips

From FoxBusiness.com:

“How to Quickly Relieve Tension: Try doing a stretch to release tight hip flexors. Kneel on your left knee—like you are about to propose to someone—and place your right foot forward with your right knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Shift your pelvis forward, bend your front knee and tuck your butt under until you feel a deeper stretch in the left hip. Hold for 30 seconds. Switch legs.”

Stretch the Shoulders

From TheMuse.com:

PR workout F12 triceps

This a stretch you can do sitting down. Touch your opposite shoulder blade, and then gently grab your elbow, and pull it towards the opposite side.

Lift and Relax

From WebMD.com:

“Inhale deeply and shrug your shoulders, lifting them high up to your ears. Hold. Release and drop. Repeat three times.

Shake your head slowly, yes and no. You might as well amuse yourself while you do it to relax even further. Ask yourself silly questions: “Is your boss an idiot?” Move your head up and down, “Yes, yes, yes.” Side to side: “No. No. No.” (Shedding tension is as much mental as physical.)”

Release the Strain

From BestHealthMag.ca:

200 02

“Sitting up straight, with your feet flat and shoulders back, grab onto the bottom of your chair with your right hand. Then slowly tilt your head sideways, bringing your left ear toward your left shoulder until you feel a gentle stretch along the right side of your neck and shoulder. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds; repeat on the opposite side. Do this stretch a few times a day to help prevent a strain from starting in the first place.”

Images Courtesy: health.usnews.com, Physiohub.com

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January 28, 2016 0 Comments

4 Ways to Stay Focused While Working From Home

As the number of employees in remote and work-from-home positions continues to skyrocket, technology has stepped up to help freelancers and telecommuters stay focused. A 2015 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found that half of employers who allow flexible work arrangements, 60 percent of those allow telecommuting. The percentage will continue to rise, according to Global Workplace Analytics, which reports ever-increasing numbers of those working from home at least part of the time.

Technological innovations make it easier than ever to work from home, but tools that help you stay focused and harness your willpower ensure your success. Here are four ways to marry technology with time management to keep you concentrated on the task at hand.

Wake up in the Right Frame of Mind

The tone of your work day begins when you wake up, so make sure it’s off to a positive start with an alarm you love. From having your favorite upbeat playlist from iTunes play to customizing a message in the voice of a loved one, apps allow you to rise and shine to what you want to hear.

Have a habit of pressing snooze? Look for an option within the alarm that disables the snooze button, or search for an alarm that forces you to solve a puzzle or math problem before it deactivates. You’ll be more likely to get out of bed now that you’re up.

Head to a Welcoming Home Office Environment

Working on a kitchen table that’s cluttered with dirty dishes diminishes a clear state of mind, and writing in a room that has a television playing decreases productivity. Designate a work-only space you’ll love getting to the grind in. Find a place that comfortably fits all the apparatus you need and one that features ergonomical furniture that prevents slouching.

Save space by using multifunctional tools, like an all-in-one printer, fax machine, scanner and copier that is easily transportable and works with your smartphone. A desktop organizer that includes USB charging also allows you to multitask and stay organized.

Turn off Distractions

Fear of missing out, or FOMO, is an emotionally draining cultural disorder that plagues more than 55 percent of those who use social media, reports Aeon magazine. To mitigate negative feelings about having to work instead of joining in on the fun your friends are having, use a smartphone with expandable memory, like the LG G4, to power your device with all the information you need. Then, set it to airplane mode, so you don’t receive disturbing notifications while you’re working.

There also are free distraction-blocking applications, such as the Freedom app, that allow you to choose websites you don’t want to see while it’s enabled. It also lets you plan freedom sessions in advance for a variety of devices.

Stay on Schedule

Never miss an appointment or phone call by using a reliable calendar application that syncs across all your devices. Customize reminder notifications so you stay on track, and use a virtual assistant to save time with administrative tasks that prevent you from accomplishing more meaningful assignments. Integrate cloud storage into your desktop and smartphone devices, so whatever you input while away is instantly available when you work from home.

Measure your task management by using a productivity app, such as Life Graphy. This app shows you your work habits and helps you discover better ways to use your time. You’ll become more efficient and improve your work-life balance.

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April 30, 2014 0 Comments

Why Having a Third Space is Good for Your Business

Have you ever thought of using a coworking space or a business incubator to give you that “third” space for your home business? We all know working from home really is a big challenge. If you have young kids in the house, taking a conference call is hard to schedule between nap times. You want quiet to be able to do your work and knock out that client project. But you don’t want that eerie quiet that suddenly sets in when you go, “uh-oh, what are the children doing” and you find the dog getting a makeover. When you do get out of the house to take that client meeting, you are either meeting at the client’s location or you have picked your local coffee shop. Neither place really gives you a chance to show that you are a professional running a professional enterprise. Plus, when working only from home, it’s just you having to work on your projects all by yourself. One of the biggest benefits of working in an office environment is that you are surrounded by your peers. You can bounce ideas off of them, have conversations, and get inspiration on how to tackle problems. Adults need adult time too, away from the kids every now and then.

What you need is a good “third” space to give you the things that your home office just can’t give you. There are many kinds of “third” spaces out there that help get your business moving to the next step. Think about joining a coworking space that has a good vibe and gels with the business you are building. There are coworking spaces that cater to programmers, artists, makers, marketers, and professional services. Some of the best coworking spaces have a nice mix of these kinds of people in them. Coworking gives you a chance to have that professional adult time and work on business problems and get access to a professional office environment, conference rooms, and have a real business address. You know, someplace that you would feel good having a meeting with a client. Many of the coworking spaces offer programs to help you with your business. Session speakers, hackathons, and other networking events are usually part of the membership fee.

Also over the last few years, business incubators have opened their doors up to more than just tech companies. The incubator I am involved with has a mix of tech, legal, marketing, healthcare, and retail companies. In the same vein of coworking, you get a professional space with some additional support from programs that might be offered by the local venture capital firm, university or community college to help with your business. All good resources to have, especially if you need to have a summer intern to knock out that branding project you have not had a chance to get around to.

It is long winded, but here is the point. Get out and socialize your business. Make connections, build a network of like minded entrepreneurs that are willing to help each other. The best place to start is in a coworking space or business incubator. Make the time for yourself to pursue your business objectives. Even if it is just one or two days a week, you’ll find that being a solopreneur isn’t so lonely when you find others that are just like you trying to solve the same kinds of problems.

Check out these other great articles about productivity / time management as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

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