While working remotely may seem fabulous, it’s not as easy as you might think, especially if you’re not properly set up. Here are some things you should consider to optimize remote work—the must-haves, the best-to-haves, and the nice-to-haves.
The Must-Haves
These three things are non-negotiable when setting up to work remotely.
- Good equipment You may be used to having your equipment supplied for you, and this expense is one you may not want, but good equipment is the lifeline of your job. If you need two big screens, get them. Be sure your processing speed and storage won't be maxed when it comes time to compile. You can even look at refurbished equipment with a warranty to get you started. Not hitting a deadline due to equipment failure is the equivalent of the my-dog-ate-my-homework excuse.
- Good internet access While it seems like this should go without saying, we're going to say it: Get the fastest and most reliable internet connection possible. If you're writing code and need to test and check in, a dependable connection is essential.
- Good place for a virtual meeting It’s unlikely your remote job requires zero contact with others; collaboration with remote workers often means video conferencing. For the best possible virtual meeting experience, be sure that you have a quiet space with no distractions for you or the meeting attendees. We’ve all been on calls with dogs barking and babies crying, and you bringing that to a meeting is not professional.
The Best-to-Haves
While you may be able to go without these three items, you probably shouldn’t, especially if you’re making top dollar.
- A dedicated work area If you're not careful, working from home can turn into working all the time. If you’ve got a spare room you can use for an office, this is ideal—that way you can close the door on your work when you're done for the day. If you don't have that much space, a desk that is only used for work will do just fine. Here are a few more reasons why a dedicated work area is important:
- It creates a personal boundary—you know when you're working and know when you're off.
- Your family knows that, when you're in that space, you're working and unavailable, just like if you worked onsite at a job.
- It checks off having a quiet space for a conference call.
- It makes it easier to figure out your tax deduction.
- A comfortable desk and chair You’re likely sitting for the better part of the day. Having an ergonomically sound setup can be the difference between a good night’s sleep and progressively worse health issues. Invest in a high-quality desk setup for maximum work performance.
- Good headset Relying on your speakers and mic can be tough in a virtual meeting. Invest in a high-quality headset so you can clearly hear what’s happening and others can understand what you’re saying. It’s a bonus if your headset also has noise-canceling capabilities, especially if you live with the aforementioned barking dogs or crying babies. They can help you focus on work and avoid distractions at home.
The Nice-to-Haves
These things won’t make or break your ability to work remotely, but you may find that you’ll be more productive—and comfortable—with these four items.
- Whiteboard Sometimes it’s just nice to get off the keyboard and use a whiteboard for your thoughts or sketches. Or maybe having an architectural diagram that you can refer to will keep you more engaged in the task-at-hand. Whatever the reason, a whiteboard—big or small—can aid in your productivity.
- Office Supplies Keeping office supplies—pens, notepads, extension cord, shredder—in a drawer or on a shelf in your dedicated workspace ensures you’ll be more efficient when you’re on the job. Bonus points for keeping a coffee maker or tea kettle nearby to keep you from wandering into the kitchen.
- Portable mobile hotspot Consider purchasing a mobile hotspot to have on hand, just in case your internet goes down. Your phone can be used in a pinch, but be sure that you have enough data on your mobile phone plan. While many phone plans claim unlimited data for hotspots, there’s usually a limit of how much data you can use at high speeds; once you reach that limit, the hotspot only provides you with a low-speed connection, meaning you won’t be able to work efficiently.
- Cool stuff Gear like a good Bluetooth speaker, an adjustable desk, a laptop stand, dual monitor mounting arms, a cord management system or cord clips, USB charger, or a desk treadmill can make working from anywhere just a little bit nicer. Think about what cool things would help you be more productive and comfortable, and add them to your remote work setup.
In the end, working remotely should enable you to be professional, and should be a productive experience for you and the client you work with.