RLI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES GROUP LEARNING EVENT

PSGLE 135

7 Tips for Creating a Productive Home Office

Environment

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© RLI Professional Services Group

Course Description

If you are fortunate enough to work out of your

home, you appreciate the perks – lower commuting

costs, flexibility and convenience. All of these are

great perks, but a number one complaint from

people that telework is “I don’t know where my day

starts and ends!” In order to be successful working

out of your home, you need to create an

environment for productivity. This webinar will

highlight 7 tips for creating a productive home

office environment.

Assessment

Are you easily distracted?Are you easily distracted?

Are you more productive in a quiet environment?Are you more productive in a quiet environment?

Or, do you operate better with some amount of chaos?Or, do you operate better with some amount of chaos?

Are you a visual person?Are you a visual person?

Do you love clutter?Do you love clutter?

Or, are you a “neat freak”?Or, are you a “neat freak”?

Tip #1

Create a business-like environment tailored to

your productivity needs

Productivity

Furniture

that suits

you

Furniture

that suits

you

Dedicated

business

computer

Dedicated

business

computer

Separate

space

Separate

space

Tip #2

Does your workspace

always have to be at

home?

Tip #2 - Continued

The answer is “No”….

…variety in location can take you out of your

routine allowing you to think differently.

Library * Coffee Shop * Local Cafe

Productivity

Is your productivity at its peak in a peaceful, quiet environment?

Tip #3

Do away with common distractions

TVTV KidsKidsPersonal

phone calls

Personal

phone calls

ClutterClutterPersonal

tasks

Personal

tasks

Tip #4

Establish routines

Schedule consistent working hoursSchedule consistent working hours

Avoid over-working Avoid over-working

Avoid under-workingAvoid under-working

Take care of household tasks before starting

your work day

Take care of household tasks before starting

your work day

Tip #4 - Continued

Establish boundaries

Set work restrictionsSet work restrictions

Inform family and friends of your normal work

hours

Inform family and friends of your normal work

hours

Close the doorClose the door

Set expectations for number of hours you need

to work to be successful

Set expectations for number of hours you need

to work to be successful

Are You a Visual Person?

Meeting with Art Director at

XYZ Consultants

Tip #5

Strategically Decorate Your Space

�Use colors that lighten up the room

� If possible, pick a space with some windows to allow for

natural light

� Plants are great for decorating a space

�Artwork helps for creative inspiration

� Consider soft LED lighting versus harsh fluorescent

lighting

Are a “clutter-bug” or a “neat-freak”?

Which desk looks like yours?

Tip #6

Strive for a Clean and Organized Space

• Make straightening up your office part of your

end of day routine

• Limit office supplies to those

essential for your work

Tip #7

Comfort is key

• Choose office furniture that is comfortable as well as functional

• Pick a desk chair that gives you good posture

• Consider a desk with an adjustable work space

Upright Sitting Posture Standing Posture

Images from: www.osha.gov

Summary

�Create a business-like environment tailored

to your productivity needs

�Your workspace does not always have to be

at home

�Do away with common distractions

�Establish routines and boundaries

�Strategically decorate your space

�Strive for a clean and organized space

�Comfort is key

This concludes the Professional Services Group Learning Event

Marie Bernier, Director of Content

Marie.Bernier@rlicorp.com