Working from home is no longer a luxury enjoyed by a small few but is now the gold standard. It can certainly allow a better work/life balance, yet can also have its own challenges.

Working in a comfortable and functional space is often overlooked, whether it's because we lack space, we have limited means or we simply don't take the time. 

Well, this all changes today! Here’s how to create a space that inspires you to be your best self at work…

Pick a nice spot

The first step to building the perfect at-home office is to find the best spot in your home.

Even if space is limited, you can still find the best place to set up your home office by considering these 3 key factors…

Avoid easy distractions

Place your desk away from the tv and busy areas whenever possible. Studies show that anything that could be a potential distraction should be out of sight. 

Choose somewhere private

Some employers actually demand it and have policies in place to make sure that confidential information is not easily seen or accessible by anyone outside of the organization, regardless of where the employee works. Some employers will even provide privacy screens for laptops used in public spaces, to avoid wandering eyes.

Look for natural lighting

Remember working in a cubicle below those nasty fluorescent lights? Yeah, don’t remind me. It wasn’t pretty: our eyes burned and our heads hurt by the end of each day.

Do yourself a favour and look for a space that offers as much natural lighting as possible. This will help to reduce fatigue, and also makes you look fantastic on conference calls… hello Hollywood!

Purchase the right equipment

Studies show that most employees spend about 90% of their time at work in an ergonomically unbalanced position. Ergonomics is the science of designing a workspace to reduce physical stress. Since the average person spends the majority of their day behind a desk, the importance of using adapted equipment is paramount.

Pick the right desk

Desk selection has come a long way. Gone are the days you absolutely had to sit!

Have you ever tried a standing desk? They reduce long-term discomfort in your back, neck, and hips. If you cannot afford a standing desk, try to find one that will be at a level that allows for your arms to be at 90 degrees when typing. 

Choose the right chair

An ergonomically-designed chair will help prevent back pain and other injuries by providing support for your spine and hips, as well as minimizing strain on your neck and shoulders. Do your best to try a chair WITH the height of your desk in mind. Make sure your wrists and arms sit comfortably on your desk. You should also work on a stable surface that allows you to sit with good posture while typing and using your mouse. 

Both standing desks and ergonomic chairs improve posture, so these are the types of equipment you’ll want to invest a little more money in, if you can.

Ergonomic accessories like wrist pads, mouse and mouse pads, and even keyboards can help create a healthy work environment.

Use equipment properly

Having the right equipment is a great start, but you need to be sure you’re using it in an ergonomic way too!

Here's how to setup your equipment to make sure it works well for you and your body:

1. Your monitor should be about an arm's length away from you (to reduce eye strain) and its top should be positioned at eye level so that you can look directly at it without having to tilt your head and strain your neck
2. If using multiple screens, ensure they are both at equal levels so you're not forcing your neck up and down when switching between screens
3. Your shoulders should be relaxed, your head should remain level with your spine, and your eyes should be looking at the screen through the top third of your glasses
4. Your chair should be high enough that your feet can rest flat on the floor with your back against the back of the chair, and low enough that your thighs are parallel to the floor when you're seated with knees bent at 90 degrees
5. The keyboard and mouse should be positioned directly in front of you and at a height that allows you to keep your forearms parallel to the floor with your wrists straight and in line with your forearms

Other considerations

You may even want to consider purchasing additional items, like a space heater or air conditioning unit, which can help make your office more enjoyable to use.

You’re spending the majority of your days at work, so take the time and invest in your comfort and well-being!

Decorate your workspace

When we feel good about the space we work in, we do better work.

Here are some simple ideas that will help keep your workspace cozy and functional, while keeping you motivated and productive:

• Add useful tools like a whiteboard for brainstorming, trays for loose papers or even a pegboard for hanging up your headset
• Place a plant or two around your office; in addition to providing a nice visual aesthetic, plants also contribute to clean air in your space
• Hang your favourite pictures on the walls, or install fun lighting like Govee lights to add a nice colourful ambiance

That said, you should be intentional with every piece you include in your office space…

Keep it minimal

Did you know minimalism can actually help with productivity?

Studies show that to increase your productivity, it is important to create an environment that promotes concentration, and minimizes distractions. So avoid clutter! A minimalist office space promotes organization, clearing away non-essentials and allowing you to focus on the task at hand.

Creating a minimalist office space for yourself at home is quite easy. The first step is to declutter your workspace entirely. This may seem daunting, but it will help clear your mind before you begin working on anything new.

For example, it’s hard to concentrate on writing a social media calendar when you have a pile of bills on your desk, alongside yesterday’s scattered notes and papers. Oh, and nevermind the full laundry basket on the floor!

Keep it neat and tidy

Once you’ve designed your ideal workspace, the final step is to KEEP IT CLEAN!

There are many different ways to do this, which include:

1. Cleaning your desk every day: removing clutter, dishes and water bottles; putting notebooks and devices away every evening
2. Organizing your files, notebooks, and binders including loose papers by using dividers, trays, and bins on a daily or weekly basis
3. Getting rid of those unsightly and messy cords by using cable management products like ties, bins, and trays

Essentially, you want to create a routine that allows you to keep your place clean, which has proven to increase motivation and productivity levels.

Add tech or automation to your workspace

It may seem complicated, but taking the time to set up some smart home tech in your office can be very beneficial and create efficiencies over time. 

Here are some examples of tech tools and how they can help:

• A smart-home device allows to easily add items to your calendar, set reminders and timers, purchase items or even make calls
• A notebook like reMarkable will convert handwritten notes into digital files that are accessible on any device and can be easily searched through
• High-quality headsets and lighting systems make virtual communications look more professional
• Install a speaker system for calming background music; we recommend listening to this
• Bigger screens reduce eye strain, can help with creating designs or managing larger spreadsheets
• A digital timer can help you stay on task for a particular deadline or project

Take it to the next level!

Want to kick things up a notch and have a little extra money in your budget to spend? Let’s add some fun…

Consider placing a treadmill under your standing desk. That’s right, you can walk while you work, and stomp out the frustrations of the day while you’re at it! 

If you have extra space available in your office, you can dedicate a corner for exercise throughout the day. It can be as simple as a yoga mat and some tension bands and you’re good to go!

While you’re working up a sweat, you may want to have a mini water cooler in your office, or maybe even go deluxe with a coffee machine!

Make the space uniquely yours, and unlock the motivation to do the things you want to, both personally and professionally.

To conclude

Even with minimal space and financial constraints, there are plenty of things you can do to improve the environment you work in.

Designing an at-home office is a mix of art and logic. Create a space that works for you. It will help increase your productivity and motivation.

We've all been there... Sitting in front of the screen, facing a daunting task. And then... maybe just a quick email check or a quick scroll on Facebook? Or even a quick google search related to the task… And without realizing it, you went down the rabbit hole (again!) and your procrastination has stretched into hours. The day is now over and what was today's task is now tomorrow's problem. OUCH.

Procrastination is a normal part of life. It's human nature; we all do it. However, despite its prevalence and how normalized it’s become, it still creates negative repercussions on our lives and is one of the biggest contributors to stress.

Here are a few simple tricks to beat procrastination and get more done!

Get SMART with your goals

Don't just say you're going to "get more done" or that you want to "write more." Be specific and use the SMART goals method! 

For example, a SMART goal would be: I will write at least 2 blog posts per week! This goal is smart because it’s:

      Specific - I will be writing 2 blogs

      Measurable - It's easy for me to tell if I've accomplished it

      Achievable - I know how to write, and have the tools available

      Realistic - I can easily do this in my spare time

      Timely - I have a deadline to meet; 2 per week

Statistically speaking, people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them. So write them down and feel free to review them regularly. 

Plus, studies show that sharing a goal with someone increases the likelihood of achieving it! So tell your auntie or a friend about what you aim to do. They may even help keep you accountable while encouraging you.

Don’t forget to review your goals from time to time, as it gives you the opportunity to reflect upon what needs to be done next. This way, nothing slips through the cracks unnoticed!

Refine your to-do list

There are so many ways to start and sort a to-do list. Here’s what we recommend…

Start with a brain dump

Sometimes, we have so many things floating around in our brain that we need to just let it all out in the form of a ‘brain dump’. Just write all the things that you need to do off the top of your head. It doesn’t even need to make chronological sense and you may even include personal items like making a dentist appointment! That’s ok too.

Manage and prioritize your list

Once you’ve created your list of tasks, prioritize them in order of most important to the least. The importance could be based on the tasks that will be the most impactful at the moment, blockers that are delaying others from completing their own work, or it could be based on a set deadline or around your schedule.

Break down bigger projects

There is a difference between tasks and projects. If projects find their way onto your list, break them up into more manageable tasks that you can wrap up within a day or week (at most). 

Reducing your work into bite-sized pieces helps reduce feelings of overwhelm and may prevent procrastination from taking hold in the first place!

Start with the harder stuff 

“Eat that frog!” as Brian Tracy recommends. (Psst! You can download his free PDF here to help you beat procrastination.)

“The key to reaching high levels of performance and productivity is to develop the lifelong habit of tackling your major task first thing each morning." - Brian Tracy

What does he mean? Basically whenever possible, tackling the most significant task first thing in the morning is the most effective way to schedule your work. If you start with the big things, it allows you to use your most productive time on the most important tasks, giving you more leeway for the smaller or less important ones. As a bonus, you’ll end up feeling productive and motivated after completing your most important work first.

 So whenever possible… eat that frog!

Avoid multitasking

Most of us are guilty of trying to accomplish too much at once, which can bring on feelings of overwhelm, especially when working on multiple projects with competing deadlines. 

In fact, researchers at Stanford University estimate that up to 50 percent of an adult's day can be spent juggling several tasks, with many switching from one activity to another every few minutes. Doesn’t that sound exhausting!?

The reality is that you can only do one thing at a time, so this idea that you can juggle multiple tasks at once effectively is FALSE.

Use the Pomodoro

One of the most effective ways to work on one thing at a time is by using the Pomodoro technique. Pomodoro is a productivity method that uses a timer to break down your time into 25-minute intervals separated by short breaks. 

Simply set any timer for 25 minutes and once the timer dings, you take a five-minute break before starting another Pomodoro.

This technique has been proven effective at getting things done while maintaining better focus through resting and taking more frequent breaks.

Block your time

Another great way to organize your work and get more done is through time blocking.

Here’s how it works:

1. Block out time on your calendar or in your app of choice
2. Track how much you get done in that block of time

There are so many apps that specialize in this sort of thing, like Toggl and Rescue Time (which will also tell you how much time you're wasting). All apps have their strengths and weaknesses depending on what you’re looking for and what works best for you, so play around with them until you find the right fit.

Be realistic about how long things take

Try to gain a better understanding of how long things actually take for you to complete. When you have an idea of how much time something will require and your limitations for putting in that time, you can set more realistic deadlines.

Change up your space

In this new culture of working from home, it’s easy to get tired of seeing the same decor, day in and day out! Sometimes, a little change of scenery can help.

• Feeling lonely? Go get some work done at a busy coffee shop 
• Missing the outdoors? Get some work done ‘al fresco’
• Uninspired? Ask to meet up with a colleague to bounce some ideas off of each other

Changing your environment can help reignite your motivation and put you back into a productive mindset.

Reward yourself (you deserve it!)

Allowing yourself time to relax after you’ve met your goals is essential. Watch that movie that just came out or spend time with your friends. Do something that lets your brain relax and replenish itself. It helps maintain motivation to stay productive. Fun activities tend to be more enjoyable and rewarding after a productive day too, so go have fun!

Long story short

Breaking the procrastination mindset may not happen overnight. But have you ever heard of anyone successful by always putting things off? Well, neither have we. 

So, start by setting clear goals to get more done, better manage your to-do list, only do one thing at a time and work when you can focus! As a result, you will greatly improve your productivity and quality of life. Plus, you'll be so proud of yourself. 

And never forget: Your time is precious and time spent procrastinating is lost forever! So go ahead and ‘eat that frog’!

TLDR; Starting a business requires a solid plan, a great business name, a website that emotionally connects with your target market and a promotional strategy that drives sales.

So you want to start an online business but don’t know where to start… It’s easier than you think! Setting up your own online business can be relatively simple and profitable if you have a good business plan and a proper website. 

WHC is proud to have helped Canadian entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed online for nearly 20 years. We picked up on a few tips and tricks that some of our most successful online startups have used to find success.

Here are the 4 crucial steps to help set you up for success:

1. Develop a simple business plan
2. Choose your name
3. Create your website
4. Promote your business

• You’re a consultant who has packages of services to offer
• You’re a coach with a program to sell
• You want to sell products and already have them available for customers

Now, if you don’t have an idea yet, there are plenty of business models and ideas you can choose from, depending on your experience level and the amount of money you have to invest.

Some of the most popular ones right now are:

Consulting/coaching

• Teaching what you know

Dropshipping

• Selling products that another company houses in a warehouse and will ship directly to the customer for you

Print-on-demand

• Creating designs that go on products which you sell and a third party ships directly to the customer for you

Starting your own business online may seem overwhelming, but with hard work, trial and error (plus hours of googling OR paying someone to teach you), it is definitely doable.

Here are the 4 simple steps to follow if you want to launch your online business this year.

Step 1: Develop a simple business plan

You have an idea, but now you need to write it all down in the form of a plan. Instead of creating a 50-page business plan that you’ll write one time but then never look at again, focus on developing a simplified one that you will actually follow and implement!

The best way to create a solid and simple business plan is by breaking it down into sections, like the following:

Target Market: Who your product is for

• Who is your target market?
• What are their pain points?
• Where do they hang out?

Message: Messaging that resonates with your audience and excites them about your product

• What problem does your product solve?
• How does it alleviate the pain points of the target market?
• How do you emotionally connect with your audience?

Promotion: Promote at the right place and time

• Where will you promote your product?
• How will you promote your product?

Leads: Learn how to generate leads/prospects and move them towards a sale

• How do you capture leads?
• How do you warm up leads?
• How do you convert leads into sales?

Product: Make sure your product fits their needs

• What makes the product unique? Unique selling points (USPs)
• Where will you sell? Which channels, stores, marketplaces?

Post-Sales: Give them a world-class experience that keeps them coming back

• How do you deliver a fantastic post-sales experience?
• What products or services could you upsell?
• If you have a subscription-type product, how do you get them to renew?
• How do you get their referrals or encourage word-of-mouth?

Take this all a step further and assign a timeline and budget for these activities.

Step 2: Choose a name for your business and register it

Here are some tips for finding a name that will help you build a proper brand:

1. Choose a name that is short and memorable
2. Make sure it’s easy to spell
3. Select one that is not too similar to other companies

It’s best to come up with a short list of options, so the next part of the process is simple…

Once you have chosen some options for your business name, you need to make sure they are available legally and virtually.

• Legal availability refers to names available to register with the government as a trading or a legal corporate name.
• Virtual availability refers to a name that is available to be registered as a domain name, social media name, or anything that can be registered online.

Additionally, you should consider the type of TLD you want for your domain name. A TLD refers to the .COM, .CA, or the letters after the dot portion of a domain name. Each TLD has different benefits; for example, Canadians choose the .CA TLD 4 times more often!

Here’s where WHC comes in. Yay! Run your name options through our domain name search. If they’re available, choose your favourite, and purchase it right away! Finding an available domain name you desire is a rarity these days, so be sure to get it before someone else does.

There, you now have a registered domain name ready for your website!

Still stuck? Here are some more resources to help you pick the best domain name:

Three reasons your website visitors will trust a .CA domain name

The Canadian Guide to finding your perfect domain name

4 Reasons to secure your domain name now

Step 3: Create a basic website

Unless you’re setting up an eCommerce website from the get-go, a basic website is all you need to get started. Some key aspects you should include on your website are: 

• a homepage
• an about us page or section
• a contact us page or section

Web Hosting Canada offers a variety of web hosting options that will fit your needs throughout the lifetime of your business. Depending on how organized you are and your skills, you may even be able to set up your website in a couple of days.

Step 4: Promote your business and make money

Marketing is the process of getting people to know about your business. It's not just advertising or selling directly to customers. Marketing is all-encompassing and should include the following:

• Getting the word out about what you do, who you are and why people should care about your business
• Creating awareness about your brand so it becomes top of mind
• Developing relationships with media outlets and influencers who can spread the word about your products or services

There are two ways to promote your business: organic (you develop for free over time; the only cost is your time!) or paid.

• Organic marketing includes:
• social media
• email marketing
• content marketing
• SEO

• Paid marketing includes:
• ads (social, search engines, TV/radio etc.)
• affiliates
• influencer marketing
• press releases

Marketing should be an ongoing activity that is strategically planned out ahead of time. This is the engine that sells your products/services so you’ll want to pay particular attention to it.

Part of marketing means ensuring your customers have a great experience with your brand, from learning about your product to post-sales. If they have a great one, they will likely do the selling for you through word of mouth!

Conclusion

Starting a business can seem daunting, but with the proper steps and resources, you can achieve great success with little upfront costs!

There are tons of free platforms available to small business owners that allow them to create professional designs, manage projects, marketing campaigns, and so much more. We suggest you check out the 5 free tools to help your small business.

Need even more information?

Here are some other resources that can help you grow:

Create a killer landing page (that converts)

Email Marketing: How to start

Create a social media strategy and plan in a day!

How to create content that sells