Need to set up an office can be a challenge. You may think it is an easy task. Just need a table or desk to have your laptop on. Then good lighting, maybe a desk lamp or even just use a lamp you already own.
No need to go out and get something special, because right now you don’t really know what you will need. But of course, you just need a good spot that is quiet and away from all the other noises.
My Office-in the livingroom
Believe me, this is so important. Because I have my office set up in my living room. And you can think of all that goes on in there. Kids running around, tv is on sometimes. It is also the way to the door to outside. So if you can imagine how many distractions it has.
I never really gave it much thought when I first set it up. I thought it would be great because it was where my natural light is. It is in the corner of the living room. Which is good, because my back is facing everyone.
Problems Being In The Livingroom
But remember it is in the living room!!! So others go in and out of the front door. Or letting the cat out to go outside. Or even the door just opens when the kids get home from school.
Kids always want to tap my shoulder to tell me something. That of course could of waited till later. Cause let me tell you, it was something that I did not have to know right now. But they see me sitting there, doing nothing. As that is what they think, I am just searching up things on the Internet.
Little do they know, I am working!!! Yes, I work from home. So part of my work on my PBS is to do some research for what I need to have for my PBS. But they think they can still bother me, cause I am looking like I am not working.
They don’t see all that I do. Or do they even want to know? They just know they can bother me when they feel like it. So that is why I say you may want to put some thought into where you want your office.
Test Out New Office Spaces
Now this is what I have recently done. As I have a laptop also, so I have made another office in my bedroom. In a tucked away corner, beside my wardrobe. Now my wardrobe blocks off the rest of the bedroom. So I am basically in the corner of the room. Facing a window-so I can also look outside when I need too.
You need to find a good spot that you can have some peace and quiet. So you can concentrate on your work. I do like the idea of facing a window, within reason though. My window does not show traffic, it has a view of the sky and part of a fence and tree. So no distraction there, which is what I don’t need.
Now I see why when you see other people’s desks. They face their back to you and have their desk facing the wall. That is so they can concentrate on what they need too. Unless, you need to face others, so you can see them come and go. Doing work, where you don’t need to have much concentration. Then you can face any way you decide for the purpose you need.
Concentrate Without The Distractions
Now I need to concentrate on my work. Wrecks my train of thought, when kids come in and bother me. Especially when I am on a roll, and busy writing many pages all in one day. Now, that does not happen that often. Because something either comes up, or someone comes up to me.
This is why I needed to brainstorm on where my office was going to be. Where I would get the most work done and have no distractions. So I needed to set up an office so I could focus.
How I was going to make it all happen, to get it all done. In very little time also. So I needed to make the most of the time I had. So a different location for my office, my phone on silent. Noise cancelling headphones in, and hiding in my new office space.
Alone with my own thoughts and plan/schedule of what needed to get done. I have 4-6 hours to get it all done. Housework is on hold till I am done because it can wait. These are the challenges I have to deal with when I now work from home. I needed to learn how to deal with the distractions of being home and working from home.
Managing Distractions Are Getting Better Now
I have even more distrations now, my grandbabies are here now. So I basically have learned how to time block my day and work around the things that need my attention. I do things with my grandbabies early in the day, then they know later Mamma has to work. My kids know now not to bother me when I am at my desk, or they see me talking. Or even in a Zoom meeting, I guess they understand more now.
Time blocking and/or using my Google calendar are the best ways to keep me organized. I have more understanding of where my time goes and how to dedicate to the task at hand. Don’t let distractions get to me, but rather set time aside to do what I need to do. Even my me time is scheduled in. I have my coffee and my ipad with me, I go sit outside and enjoy some time to myself.
I still need to focus more on reading books and working on my pages for my business. Believe me, I am working on it. I have so much things I do every day. But reading is not just a pass time, but beneficial to my mind also. We all need to read books as it is good to learn a new skill and keep on using our brain for growth.
