Creating a Minimalized Workspace When You Work From Home
And how to keep it that way.
The COVID-19 pandemic forever changed the landscape of the workplace, and as of the 2021 census, a whopping 17.9% of Americans were working from home. While current numbers haven’t been released, it is safe to say that those numbers have not likely reached their prepandemic lows of around 5%.
With so many of us working from home, creating a workspace that is comfortable and inspiring is a necessity, at least for most. (I know some people that could work in the middle of a rock concert, but those are a different breed).
So how exactly does one create that space?
#1: Decide where you want to work from
Whether you live in a 4 bedroom house, or a bungalow style apartment, creating a place where you can concentrate is key. I find that I do my best work when my desk faces a window, others my do best if their desk faces a wall. Is working at the kitchen table something you find works for you? Or can you work well from the comfort of your bed?
#2: Remove your distractions
Once you’ve found the right location in your home, it’s time to start removing distractions. This is the biggest and hardest one to do, mainly because a large portion of us find that being on our computers and phones themselves, what we often use for work, is our biggest distraction.
After you’ve removed all other distractions, such as turning off the TV and removing any “to-do’s” from your line of sight, it’s time to tackle the big stuff.
I find that only having the windows open on my computer I actually need for work at that moment works great, and I have saved in my bookmarks all the other sites I would need quick access to, should the need arise.
As far as my phone, it tends to be my biggest distraction, so I turn it on silent, and usually leave it somewhere on the other side of the room.
For those of you who need their phones near them, I recommend putting a lock/limit on certain apps that lead you to be distracted, like social media or youtube.
#3: Creating Zen
Now that you’ve limited your distractions and found your spot, it’s time to create that zen space.
I recommend figuring out what works best for you by asking yourself about each item you typically have on your desk, or would likely put on your desk.
Ask yourself: “Do I need this item? Does this item provide value to my workspace?”
It sounds silly, but keeping your desk free of clutter, and only having things on it that provide you with a sense of peace and inspiration is key to a productive workspace.
For example: Do you actually need that stapler? Or could you wait to staple your work together once you’ve completed it?
My desk has my computer, mouse, and water, and my backdrop is a window. Simple as that.
But for my husband, he has multiple monitors, pens, notes spread out, etc.
It looks different for everyone, but creating a sense of peace will allow your brain to focus on the tasks at hand
Keeping your space clear of useless clutter and distractions is key to productivity and flow.
If we allow our space to become overrun with things that are unnecessary or cause distraction, we might as well just call it a day.
I’ve found that it’s near impossible to always have your space free and clear of clutter, so I’ve made a habit of clearing off my space each day before I begin work, and if necessary, during a break time.
Sometimes, I’ll even clean it up after work, so that it’s ready for me the next day.
After setting up the initial space, it only takes a short amount of your time to clean it back up, which is well worth it in the long run. Your productivity, and boss (even if it’s you), will likely thank you for it.
