Game-Changing Home Office Items for Virtual Assistants
Working from home is such a freeing experience and while you by no means need much more than a reliable computer and strong Wi-Fi to start a successful business as a virtual assistant, there are some key items that can help you boost productivity and increase ease. So if you’re looking to uplevel your workdays, check out my list of game-changing home office items for you to consider.
Dedicated Work Space
Not everyone has the luxury of a full-on office inside of their home but there’s no doubt that having a dedicated workspace at home will increase productivity and help you switch into work mode when it’s time. When I first started my business, I worked from the same chair at the dining table. It was my way to get into work mode and also leave behind work once my laptop was closed for the day.
So no matter how much space you actually have to dedicate to your workspace, it is important to have one place you get in the habit of going when it’s time to work. It may be tempting to work from wherever you feel like it, but deciding on a dedicated workspace does wonders for training your brain to separate your work and home life. Deciding on one workspace in the most distraction-free area of your home can also help you set boundaries and reduce interruptions because you know that once you are in your workspace, it’s time to focus and once you leave your workspace, you’re on personal time!
Ring Light
A ring light is a game-changer! Say goodbye to poor lighting and invest in a ring light with a stand to make things even easier. You’ll be able to prop your phone up at just the right height for photos, videos, and video calls so you can shoot hands-free. The ring light will give you an added glow that will make your content and videos instantly look more professional and bright. This is truly the easiest way to uplevel the quality of your photos and videos.
Bluetooth Phone Remote
As a virtual assistant, your business is service-based but don’t forget about your personal brand too! Your potential clients want to know who you are, so show them! Snapping a few pictures to share each week on your favorite social platform allows your dream clients to see who you are and what you’re about! Experiment with what feels authentic to you – whether that means sharing selfies, behind-the-scenes photos, documenting your day, or choosing a combination of all of the above – to infuse your personality into your brand and attract your people to you like a magnet.
Use your Bluetooth remote in tandem with your ring light stand to be able to create hands-free, high-quality content. A Bluetooth remote acts as a shutter device that controls your phone’s camera from several feet away, allowing you to get the perfect shot without messing around with timers or asking someone else to take your picture!
Laptop Stand
Not only will a laptop stand give your laptop a little breathing room and help keep it from overheating, but it will also make working much more comfortable for you! Laptop stands allow you to choose the viewing height that works best for you which encourages you to have better posture as you work and reduces strain on your neck and shoulders. You can place your laptop stand on a flat surface and change the angle your laptop sits to make it more ergonomic and also reduce screen glare so you don’t strain your eyes.
Multiple Monitors
You’ll never know the magic of multiple monitors until you experience it! Being able to see multiple programs simultaneously without having to switch back and forth between tabs or windows is an understated advantage that will save you time and result in a major boost in productivity! There’s nothing too fancy with this one, any monitor connected to your laptop will do the trick.
surge protector Power Strip
A power strip allows you to keep all of the electronics in your home office charged and ready to use. Surge-protected outlets will also protect your work equipment from damage that sudden power surges can cause (which happens often enough in Costa Rica!). Use your power strip to plug in your laptop, monitor, cell phone charger, fan, and anything else you might use so you can keep everything in one area. A power strip is an easy way to avoid swapping things out of a single outlet or wasting time getting everything connected!
The Right Chair or Standing Station
Working comfortably is the name of the game when you work from home! Having the right chair or standing desk can make all the difference in your comfort. From plush standing pads and variable height desks to mesh chairs and even yoga balls, there’s a lot to choose from when it comes to your work-from-home comfort! Choose what works best for you and try to keep good posture in mind while you’re working to reduce the chance of developing back and neck pains.
Daily Planner
While I could not run my business without Google Calendar and Asana, that doesn’t mean having a physical planner isn’t super helpful! My physical planner in no way replaces digital planning systems but it helps to add clarity on what’s most important. Each morning, I look at my Google Calendar and then set an alarm on my phone for any calls. Then I look at the tasks due that day in my Asana and physically write out my top 3 must-do items. There’s something about actually writing out those 3 goals and then checking them off when they’re done that will give you little boosts throughout the day. This is also really helpful during times when you feel like you aren’t making enough progress – you can look back at all of the big things that you’ve taken care of!
Working from home is awesome; having the right tools to make it more productive and effortless is even better. These little luxuries will help you get more done while easing stress throughout your day! I’d love to hear your thoughts on home office tools that have up-leveled your work-from-home experience.
