Working from home has so many benefits. I can fit my work around my life, rather than fitting my life around my work. This means going to the gym when it’s less busy, going for lunchtime walks, avoiding pricey meal deals and being able to make an unlimited amount of coffees without anyone judging my caffeine intake.
It’s the perfect situation for most, and yes, the leisurely side of things is great. However, when it comes to sitting down to work, I know more than others that it can often be hard to get motivated. If I don’t sit down at my desk, away from distractions, it can be difficult to get anything done.
Luckily, over time I’ve collected quite a few bits and bobs that keep me grounded and focused enough to work successfully from home.
Here are 5 essential things I have in my home office.
Protein coffee
I’m both a big gym-enthusiast and a coffee enthusiast, so putting the two together is perfect for me. I always kick off my day after the gym with a Complete Nutrition Maine Roast Protein Coffee.
This coffee blend is perfect for those busy days when you don’t quite have time to make breakfast, but need to refuel after the gym.
I love the kick of the authentic Colombian beans used in this coffee, which really gives me a boost when it comes to starting work. Each serving contains a mighty 15 grams of protein and is less than 100 calories. That’s impressive compared to other big name protein shake brands!
Even on the hottest days of the year, my protein coffee never lets me down as Complete Nutrition also offers iced coffee, mocha frappe, and caramel frappe blends.
Whatever the day, I’m sure to get my caffeine and protein fix in thanks to this amazing product.
Whiteboard
One of the things I find most challenging about working from home is the lack of people to talk to and discuss ideas with. Sometimes there are a million and one ideas whizzing around my head, and no one to share them with. This is when my handy whiteboard comes in. For me, it’s the best way to jot down ideas, brainstorm, and just generally organize all the ideas floating around my head into a visual format.
I strongly believe that seeing your ideas written down is essential to keeping stress levels low, as you can see exactly what you need to do to meet your daily goals.
I’m a big color coordinator too, so I’ll often find myself organizing every thought or task into a different shade.
The traffic light color code works well – red for urgent jobs, amber for ones that have to be done within the week, green for those ongoing projects.
You don’t need to own a massive whiteboard, either – mine from Zoro is just big enough to fit in all of my thoughts without overpowering the office. It’s super satisfying to tick off jobs as you go along, too – you’ll feel super productive and it will motivate you to get more done.
Stress ball
We can all admit that sometimes, we get a little too stressed and admittedly, I’m one of those people who that happens a little too often.
Stress balls have been a part of my work life for years now, and I’m not sure what I would do without one. There is such a wide variety available on the market that actually, I’ve become quite the collector.
I love mine from Physio Room. These particular balls are available in three strengths to not only keep me calm, but work all muscles in my fingers, hands, and forearms to improve my strength and prevent injury. They’re like a gym workout at your desk.
I’ve had my Physio Room balls for around six months now, and they’re currently showing absolutely no sign of wear and tear. I love how the colors brighten up my office and are the perfect size to be tucked away into my handbag.
Alarm clock
Now, I know what your immediate thought is here. Unless you’re literally sleeping in your office, why on earth would you need an alarm clock?
A short while back I discovered that I work best when I time myself. By giving myself a designated amount of time for each task in my day, I work much more efficiently than I would without.
However, every time I set an alarm on my phone I get distracted by social media, which ruins the whole point really.
This is why I decided to purchase an alarm clock. This red LED dimmer alarm clock is portable and easy to set up, meaning I can set several alarms throughout the day without any issues. Keeping myself working efficiently at home is so important, and this clock helps me get there without distractions.
Water bottle
On top of all the cups of tea and coffee, it’s important to remember to keep hydrated with something other than caffeine.
I recently purchased a Kool8 water bottle, which keeps my water cool for up to 24 hours. This is amazing for me, as my office is a suntrap and glasses of water get warm very quickly.
I love the fact that these bottles are the perfect environmentally friendly alternative to the typical plastic bottles that we all cling to so much.
Plus, 20% of all profits made from Kool8 products are donated to help underprivileged areas in the world to access clean water.
Products that give back to the world will forever have my vote, and I’ll always recommend Kool8 bottles as a great way to keep your brain hydrated while helping the globe (for alternatives, you can also check out this list of amazing water bottles).