10 Tips On How To Be Productive When Working From Home

The impact that COVID-19 has had across the world is immense and constantly evolving. Where possible, many people have transitioned to working from home in many different sectors. The reality is that transitioning to a home-based work environment does not come without some challenges and adjustments. Because in today's "new normal", most people are home with the entire family, finding the time and space to be productive is a work in progress that requires organization, self-discipline, and concentration. Whether working from home is a temporary or permanent thing, here are some simple and practical tips to keep you productive and working efficiently while at home with the family or others you may share a home with.

10. Claim Your Workspace

Establishing a dedicated place in your home that you can declare your own in order to set up your home-based workspace that is somewhat isolated and private is imperative. This may require some shifting of furniture, rearranging resources like computers or laptops and somewhere that ideally will have a door so you can close yourself off from the rest of the household to get your work done with minimal distractions. 

9. Have a Household Meeting

It is very important to speak candidly with your family or housemates in order to set expectations and set parameters of what working from home will look like for you and for them. This transition is a significant learning curve for everyone so opening lines of communications ensuring everyone is on the same page is important. Make sure all household members fully understand that your being home does not mean you are on vacation. It simply means that your current work situation may have changed and everyone must do their part to ensure that cooperation is a top priority. Everyone in the household is in this together.

8. Set and Respect Working Hours

Just like working outside the home, it is very important to establish what your workday will look like. It will have a distinct beginning and an end. Once the core hours required to work have been agreed upon with your employer, communicate that to your family or other household members so they are aware when you will be off-limits. Set your alarm clock, get started early and get your work done. Saving time commuting can actually give you more core hours to be productive and allow you to perhaps "get off early" so you can resume your time with your family and friends and go about the rest of your day. 

7. Get Your Technology Ready

Depending on the type of work you do, internet availability, video conferencing and possibly a printer may be required. If these are not things you have, speak to your employer to help you procure and pay for these items to be able to work from home efficiently. If you already have these items and technologies in place, make sure you agree to the necessary work reimbursements allowed before transitioning to your home-work environment. It is always imperative to be clear about the reciprocal employer-employee expectations in this regard before transitioning.

6. Dress the Part

Headed to your workspace at home in your pajamas may be acceptable on occasion but should definitely not be the norm. Remember, you are working, not lounging around so your attire should reflect that. Dressing for the office when working from home is also a great way to get you into "work mode". It is key for your productivity and it will help you psychologically make the distinction between office hours and homelife hours.

5. Pack a Lunch and Snacks

When working from home it is very easy to get distracted and spend extra time doing things around the house during work hours. A great way to avoid distractions is by packing some snacks and your lunch so you do not spend unnecessary time in the kitchen. Take your break, have your lunch; this is essential to avoid burnout.  However, it is equally important to be very mindful of your time and get back to your workspace in a timely fashion so you do not lose your flow and stay focused.

4. Get Some Fresh Air and Stretch Your Legs

A big advantage of working from home is the ability to easily head outside your door or balcony and take in some fresh air. Grab a coffee or tea, take a short walk outdoors just to change the scenery and to stay active. Fresh air does wonders for the mind and keeping active is essential for your health and well being.

3. Check in With Your Boss and Colleagues

When working remotely and not in a team or office environment, it is necessary to stay connected. Working from home when you are used to typically working with others can sometimes result in missed communications or deadlines. With modern technology, it is very simple to stay on top of your work and ensure you are on the right track. Checking in also allows you to interact with people from work which will continue to make you feel connected and part of a team. It also keeps you accountable which will help maintain the integrity of your work. 

2. Have Some Music Playing in the Background

Having some music playing at a moderate level while working can actually help increase productivity. It also serves as a sound barrier from other things that may be happening in the background from other family or household members that are home while you are working. Choose your tunes wisely so you are not distracted by the temptation of having a dance party in your workspace instead of getting the job done!

1. Set Distinct Boundaries Between Your Work and Your Personal Life

If working from home is a temporary situation like during the COVID-19 pandemic, following simple guidelines will help you to adapt. If working from home is or becomes a permanent situation then it is imperative to make sure specific boundaries are set by you, other members of your household and by your colleagues and superiors. It is very important to not blur the lines between work and home life; they are very distinct entities. Be mindful of your needs, the needs of your employer as well as the needs of others in your family and household. 

10 TIPS FOR WORKING/STUDYING AT HOME | How to stay productive + focused! ✨

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How to disinfect your electronics and home surfaces from COVID-19

While you may be vigilant about not touching your face and have aced the vampire sneeze/cough technique (sneezing into your elbows)—there is more to it than just keeping the pathogens away from your nose and mouth. You are working from home with virtual meetings using multiple devices, have also set up a cosy at-home workspace in your living room, but are you disinfecting the things you are using day in and day out at home? In the light of the current situation, there are a few more things we can do as precautionary measures to stay safe and keep a virus-free indoors, including cleaning your furniture and surfaces, sanitising your phone and electronic devices, and so on. Here are some quick things to keep in mind.

Wash. Your. Hands. 

We start with the basics, first. WHO emphasises on the whole 20 second hand wash routine and suggests we use an alcohol-based handrub or soap and water (so, you can go easy on hoarding those sanitisers). To make sure you are washing your hands properly, it takes about as long as singing 'Happy Birthday' twice. Make sure you go through the checklist below for squeaky clean hands.

Wet hands with water

Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces

Rub hands palm to palm

Rub right palm over left palm with interlaced fingers and vice versa

Now, rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced

Interlock your palms

Rotational rubbing of left thumb with right palm and vice versa

Rotational rubbing of the left palm with clasped fingers of right hand and vice versa

Rinse the hands with water

Dry with a disposable towel

Use a towel to turn off the faucet

Sanitise your smartphone and electronic devices  

While your gadgets might be keeping you sane in this quarantine period, they are (and always have been) a cesspool for germs. Now more than ever, keeping that smartphone sanitised is crucial to keep the bacteria away from your fingertips and face. 

Use a single-use disinfectant wipes (alcohol-based) or a mobile sanitiser for your smartphone.

Avoid using any liquid based-products or bleach, vinegar and any harsh chemical products.

Wear gloves when cleaning.

Make sure to clean every nook and corner of the phone, the power and USB cables, the attachments, and the phone case and be gentle when cleaning the screen.

For the electronic devices, start by cleaning the keyboard of your laptop/desktop first. Give it a good rub with the wipes. Do the same with your Alexa, Google Home, tablets, etc.

Leave them to dry.

Deep clean your furniture

Keeping your sanctuary safe and clean for yourself and your loved ones is not only essential but crucial at a time like this. And with so much time on hand, disinfecting the furniture at home won't seem like a chore but will make up for a creative exercise.  

Start by cleaning the most contacted surfaces aka 'high-touch surfaces' like door knobs, light switches, faucets, kitchen and bathroom counters, tables, etc. First, clean the area with soapy water or a cleaning spray to get rid of any dust and dirt. You can opt for surface appropriate cleansers too.

Second, disinfect by using disinfectant sprays or single-use wipes.

If you are using a spray, you can use a soft lint-free cloth to clean.

Make it a daily habit.

Also read:

20 simple ways to go green in 2020

How Houseparty became the app that's keeping us together while we self-isolate

6 home decor and makeover shows on Netflix that you can spend an entire afternoon watching 

How to clean and care for your Surface | Microsoft

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Putting the pieces together toward decorating your first home

"Embrace the work-in-progress stage," says Keira St. Claire, an interior designer with Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Cabin John, Md. "Take your time when designing on a budget. Don't worry about things not being perfect everywhere."

To make the most of your budget and create unique spaces with tons of character, mix expensive pieces with inexpensive finds, suggests St. Claire.

Where to splurge or save

Once you establish a budget for your new home, you'll need to do an inventory of what you own and want to keep and make a list of the essentials.

"If you're on a limited budget, I would first invest in one of two spots: where you gather and where you dine," says Allie Mann, a designer and senior interiors specialist, with Case Design/Remodeling in Bethesda, Md. "You want to have a great place to sit or entertain and spending a little more for the perfect eight-way, hand-tied sofa in a fabric you love would be a good splurge. A well-crafted sofa should last at least 10 to 15 years — perhaps longer."

Less expensive sofas will lose their shape and the fabric wears out quickly, says Lucy Harris, an interior designer and owner of Lucy Harris Studio in New York City.

"Pick neutral upholstery and silhouettes that will give you flexibility in the future to change the room around it and last you a lifetime," says St. Claire. "Go for a substantial armchair with a comfy cloth seat and back, but a wood or metal frame. Wood or metal-framed furniture tends to come across as more high-end."

Combine a high-quality sofa with less expensive armchairs for a lower-cost luxury look, St. Claire says.

"Your first place may be on the small size and will require furnishings that fit," says Gabriela Gargano of Grisoro Designs in New York. "Spend your budget on items you're most likely to be able to reuse in your next space. For example, an occasional chair, a side table, lamps and art can typically fit into any home."

Gargano also recommends investing in a quality mattress and good bedding since they'll get daily use.

You can also "facelift" your existing furniture, recommends St. Claire.

"Start by shopping your own home," says St. Claire. "Look at your existing furniture pieces and decorative items with new eyes. Paint something a new color or change the hardware. Get creative on ways to repurpose things you already have."

Maximizing small spaces

While your first home won't necessarily be small, any home can be designed to be more livable.

"Declutter — this is my mantra," says Harris. "Reduce the possessions you have and it will be much easier to make your space look beautifully set up and organized. Store as many things away and out of sight as possible. In a closet, in low boxes under the bed, in a dresser or storage credenza. Leave only items that you really love out on display."

St. Claire suggests selling as many items as you can and then using those funds to buy new things that work better in your new home.

The new items you buy should be the right scale for your space, says Gargano, who warns that too-large items will make the space feel smaller. Wall-mounted sconces instead of lamps can give you more surface space.

"Try to buy multi-functional furniture, such as small dressers that double as nightstands," says Gargano.

Think about the items you want or already own to see if they can serve more than one purpose, suggests Mann.

"For example, do you work from home at a kitchen island or dining table that you also eat at? Is your sofa a sleeper to host guests? Can a console table or nesting table double as a bar or a place to serve food?" Mann says.

Mann suggests splurging on a flexible dining table with built-in leaves that can be closed when one or two people are dining and opened for a dinner party.

Personalization on a budget

It can be tempting to try to replicate the look of a home you've seen on Pinterest or Instagram, but you'll also want to personalize your home so it's authentically yours. Art, accessories and books are great to collect over time so that your next house feels like home as soon as you move in, says Gargano.

"To make a place feel like yours it's important to furnish it with some items or objects that have significance to your story," says Mann. "If you love a pop of color, a blue hue on the wall will help your personality shine through. If you like to travel, a gallery wall will tell your story, share places where you've been is an opportunity to display favorite photos or treasures. Painting or creating a gallery wall doesn't have to break the bank. You can take on painting yourself and curate a gallery wall inexpensively as well."

Mann recommends Mixtiles, which can be customized with your own prints and stuck on your wall with removable sticky strips for easy rearranging.

"Hang a smaller piece off center to avoid having to buy larger more expensive pieces," says Harris. "Use a wooden poster hanger that just frames the top and bottom as an inexpensive way to frame art."

You can create a focal point on your walls with artwork, furniture, paint or wallpaper, suggests St. Claire.

"Wallpaper can add lots [of] texture and dimension and there are even removable wallpapers that are quite affordable and easy to install," she says.

Throw pillows are a classic inexpensive way to add a little color and personality to a home.

"Certain materials always add a touch of glamour or luxury to your space and don't need to be expensive," says St. Claire. "Velvet, marble and metal finishes can all be added in accessory objects like pillows, trays and barware."

Layers of texture and pattern bring personality to a home, says St. Claire.

"Soft textures and muted patterns will immediately give a sense of coziness, while bright bold patterns and shiny textures are energizing and uplifting," she says. "Don't forget you can mix vibes and personalities throughout the spaces in your house. By artfully mixing different styles you will achieve a space that really reflects you."

No matter the size of your home or your decorating budget, a careful plan can result in a first place you'll gladly share with friends and family.

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Universal sets digital launch of new Coastal Living line

HIGH POINT — When Universal Furniture unveiled its 75-piece new Coastal Living collection — Getaway — two weeks ago, it was presented in a way that most buyers typically see collections: In various highly decorated vignettes in its High Point showroom.

As part of its commitment to be market ready, Universal had the full collection on display including upholstery and wood pieces that it is now offering as part of its whole-home approach.

The only problem was that Premarket was canceled due to concerns about COVID-19. Thus, no retailers showed up to see the product. Even more challenging, the planned market a month later in April was also delayed as much as a month and a half later in early June.

But Universal had a plan in place that serves as an example of how companies are managing in tough times and under almost unprecedented circumstances.

The company said it plans to use a digital platform that includes email, social media and a landing page complete with a video to showcase the collection to its customers.

"It's really going to be a blended approach in terms of what we do through email, social media and the web and PR," said Neil MacKenzie, director of marketing.

The digital approach is important as retailers not only have closed their doors temporarily, but also are discouraging in-person visits from sales reps and other company officials.

The company is no stranger to the use of digital tools to showcase new product. It has used them in its youth line which eventually merged into its Spaces concept of smaller scale case goods, including bedroom for guest and second bedrooms, not to mention kids' rooms.

Having experience in this digital realm the company actually planned this approach before the cancelation and postponement of market events, MacKenzie noted, not after.

This takes its digital strategy to another level, serving almost as a B2C model but instead aimed at retailers. The landing page in particular, which is set to launch around the third week of April just before what would have been the April market, will have a video tour that serves as a virtual walk through of the collection. In addition, this will offer dealers the ability to add favorites and shop the collection online, all the time also giving them the ability to reach out to reps for more information.

"It is really treating everyone as if they are a B2C customer and giving them the tools to react accordingly," MacKenzie said.

The company also plans to use Instagram live from its High Point showroom, which will provide customers another chance to see the collection and ask questions.

The second collection in its licensed Coastal Living line, Getaway is casual in nature, made with radiate pine veneers and solids, and available in five finishes, including two core finishes, a lightly wire-brushed pine tone called Sea Oat and a white finish called Sand Dollar.

There is also a Cerulean Blue accent finish, a half-brown/half-black tone called Mussel and an antique weathered white called Egret.

The collection has five beds and five dining tables, offering a mix of options for the retail floor and consumers' homes. These include a $999 panel bed in the Sea Oat finish featuring a contemporized louvered headboard and a bed featuring woven rattan on the headboard, footboard and side rails retailing at $1,999.

There is also a fully upholstered bed available in twin to king sizes and a $999 canopy bed in the Sand Dollar finish featuring a removable canopy.

On the dining side, there is a trestle dining table that extends to 124 inches with two leaves, seating 10; a round dining with a faceted base and surface in pencil rattan featuring a glass top that retails at $1,499 and a leg table retailing at $1,399 to name three of the key configurations.

Along with natural woven materials, also seen on the base of a tray top cocktail and the doors of select case pieces, Getaway features other mixed media elements such as Lucite bases on accent tables and desks and quartz surfaces seen on nightstands and credenzas, giving a modern look and feel to the otherwise cottage-inspired forms and finishes.

Among the living room selection is a nine-and-a- half-foot wide entertainment wall featuring pier bookcase units and contemporized louvered doors. The collection also features glass-door, metal frame display cabinets shown in the Cerulean Blue finish. These can be shown individually or bunched.

Jeff Scheffer, president and CEO of Universal Furniture, said the company made a presentation to the sales force on the collection before Premarket. He noted the initial reaction has been strong enough that the company will not wait to do the initial cutting. Thus, he expects it to hit retail some late in the third quarter or early fourth quarter, which is typical for a collection launched in the spring.

In the meantime, the company will offer its customers plenty of opportunity to shop the collection through digital and social media channels. The sales force also has been given printed and digital packets of imagery for the collection as well as finish panels.

"They will still have those tools," MacKenzie said, adding, "We want to be prepared for when things return to normal."

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