Whether it’s your first time working remotely or you’re a seasoned #WFHer, we could all use some tips for staying productive, focused (and healthy) while working from home. 

Some Key Points:

• Remote work habits that don’t compromise work/life balance 

• Many argue that productivity is intrinsically affected by their environment 

• Legitimize your workspace by separating yourself from the distractions of home; minimize distractions and optimize productivity 

• Many enjoy the flexibility and autonomy remote work brings; idyllic visions of coffee shop dwelling and nomadic adventures

As a digital services agency, we were early to embrace a remote-first philosophy to better accommodate our clients and our team amidst the rapidly changing digital landscape. You can read more about how we came to that decision here. 

We asked our team: 

What are some things (habits, equipment, anything) that have made adapting to WFH life easier? 

• This sounds horribly outdated, but file folders. While I know taking notes on the computer would be ideal, I always gravitate towards paper notes which can easily become part of a disorganized pile

• I have resistance bands that I use to stretch my shoulders throughout the day

• Two kinds of headphones: over-ear headphones can help with ear fatigue

• Moving to combine all my tasks (personal or otherwise) into Asana; work and home tend to blend a bit more while working from home, so having a prioritized list of all tasks outstanding (personal OR business) really helps maintain focus on what's most important to do in any given moment

• We installed smart lights so we can set the basement to "work" or "entertainment" lighting

• Monitor, keyboard, mouse

• Brought all my favourite stuff home from the office. At home I also borrow the ottoman sometimes which is nice for longer training or internal meetings

What is something on your desk that you absolutely can’t get through your day without? 

• Coffee

• Coffee, second screen (elevated to help with neck) 

• Good audio headset! Being able to hear clearly really helps with communications

• I don’t sit at a desk, I work on a couch. I always have my coffee, water and a notebook within arm’s reach 

• My mouse. Not good without it 

• I don’t really feel that strongly about anything interesting. Obvious stuff like power cords, external monitor, keyboard & trackpad… I’ve added a little heater for my feet now that it’s winter in this basement 

Is there something special in your workspace that always makes you smile? 

• I put affirmations on sticky notes on the side of my screen to help recalibrate myself when I’m exhausted/overwhelmed/”screened out”

• I sometimes get the Costco-sized peanut M&Ms - they make me smile, but it’s not a routine I’d recommend everyone get into doing regularly 

• I usually get visits from my children throughout the day, they make me smile

• Good view of my backyard. The office work area is at the back of the house

• Alanna said she has a pet spider that makes her smile. I have the death star from the office on my desk and I keep chocolate in it, just like we did at the office! Makes me smile. Also at some point, a spider fell into the death star and my family is all scared of spiders and now they can't reach in to get chocolate anymore!