Now that hundreds of thousands of employees are forced to work at home, we need power moves for great success.
If you have read any of my previous posts on remote work, you will realize what a fan I am of that method of working!
Remote work has problems but it is still an awesome method of getting work done. I won’t go into the benefits as I have done that in previous posts.
In this blog post, I want to discuss my experience with the environment you work in and some tips to make your remote work successful.
Having worked remotely myself either part-time or full time for over a decade, I have learned a few tricks…unfortunately, it has been through trial and error rather than genius.
Desk
So you have found the right room, now we need to put something in it.
A great desk (not a card table like I have done in the past) that is large enough to handle a couple of monitors and laying out papers or a book or two.
Here is a great option: check out used office furniture – there are some great deals! I have seen companies close up shop and dump their furniture at an office furniture company. The furniture is usually in great shape and you can buy it sometimes at 10% of the retail price. Fantastic furniture and a cheap price (my type of deal).
If you want to get inspired, look at these desks.
This type of desk is my style (click here).
Get a desk surface that can handle at least 2 monitors – you really need 2 monitors to work efficiently. You can never be too rich or have too many computer monitors!
Chair
The chair is so so so important. Don’t drag a kitchen chair to your desk…that is so wrong so many ways! 
NO, you cannot buy a cheap steno chair and sit all day without killing your back, legs, and shoulders. The $30 office steno chair as you will be tired by 10am. I found that paying in the $300 range gives me a chair I can sit in all day without my body breaking down!
Don’t be cheap – buy a top-quality chair – remember the used office furniture stores can give you great deals on chairs.
Oh, by the way…never a beach ball! I know I am not cool (too old) but I cannot imagine sitting all day on a beach ball at my desk. How is that for my curmudgeon credentials!
Some people want one of those chairs (think Herman Miller) that can be adjusted 77 different ways,..you can adjust the back, armrests, slope of the seat, etc. for a great feeling.
Nerd alert: I like to sit at my desk with my shoes off, feet up on an ottoman, titled back in my executive chair, keyboard in my lap. I can sit there for hours and work. I find that most comfortable. Looks weird but that doesn’t mean anything to me!
If you don’t have money for both a good desk or good chair, I am biased toward the chair. I can work on a door across sawhorses but I need a top-quality chair.
Find Your Own Style
Remember, these are only suggestions that I use when working remote. They work for me. I have no idea if they will work for you.
Try out a number of different methods to build awesome space to get the work done.
I will be posting more about the remote home office in the next blog posts.