Your home office and workspace needs a makeover

Your home bro and workspace needs a makeoverYour home bro and workspace needs a makeoverWhether you work from home full-time or only some of the time, chances are good that after all that at-home hustling, things are looking a bit ragged around the edges.Here are some ways to inspire you to get started on creating or updating the home office of your dreams.Home design mattersDrew Scott, one half of HGTVs Property Brothers thinks the design of your home office should matter as much as that of your home. Who said your workspace should be neutral and uninspiring? That person should be fired. Nothing gets those creative juices flowing than having a classy, vibrant space. Scott also told Ladders he loves a sophisticated glam home office. It showcases your taste with pieces that are chic and packed with functionality to reduce the clutter, giving you a clear mind to chase after your goals.Consider this Drew and brother Jonathan Scott, recently launched Casaza, a home dcor line. Scott had a few picks for a home office elevated. He recommended the brown Wheaton desk which is simple but functional with its full-width storage. Scott also picked the Biscayne weathered bookshelves which provide ample room for books and knickknacks, but also add the much needed extra elements to take the style up a notch in the room.Start with a planYou dont need a big budget to create the home office of your dreams, but you should have a plan before you start to spend money. Think about function first, and that will help you to plan the items you need, said Karen Swim, president of Solo PR Pro. Swim continued If you store all of your documents electronically, you may not need a ton of filing space. If you will have clients come to your office, you may need additional seating.Consider this NookDesk and Xdesk Porter both offer total customization and are handcrafted in Texas with hand-selected solid, sustainable materials like Plantation Oak, Bamboo, and recycled aluminumDesign mattersWhen y oure working at home, Ive found it to be really helpful to be working in a room that I enjoy, said Emma McKinstry co-founder of 418 Communications. McKinstry, who works at home with her husband/geschftliches miteinander partner said Weve decorated our home office as we would any other room of the house, giving it equal attention and care. We spend a lot of time in there, so its been important to us to set the room up in a way that makes us feel comfortable, productive, and doesnt distract us from our task(s) at hand.Consider this Something as simple as a super cute kiln fired essential oil desk diffusers helps add focus to your day depending on the essential oil you use (peppermint helps you focus) along with a decorative touch.Double upSince your office is at home, chances are good that you wont have loads of space. Swim said I am a huge fan of getting the most bang for your buck, so buy pieces that can do double duty, like ottomans that have storage space and can also serve as ext ra seating or a table. If you dont need portability, buy a desktop instead of a laptop youll get a bigger screen and more storage at the same price point.Consider this This super sleek chair from Gjemeni has built-in USB ports and 110-volt sockets so it looks great, doesnt take up a ton of space, and is actually useful and beautiful.Personalize itUnlike the corporate life where you might have to be mindful of the tchotchkes you keep on your desk, you have more freedom for creative expression in a home office. To that end, Swim said Dont be afraid to personalize and create a space that allows you to do your best work. Paint and simple personal touches like photographs or art are easy ways to achieve that goal. You can create inexpensive artwork for your walls from photos or with cool objects framed by washi tape.Consider this ArtSugar is a cutting-edge, affordable contemporary art retailer featuring quirky and edgy artists. They also donate proceeds from every purchase to charities i ncluding City Harvest, ASPCA, Girls Who Code, and Gods Love We Deliver.Stick to your budgetSwim said As for work tools, dont blow your budget on a fancy desk, but do invest in a quality office chair (your back will thank you). If you dont do a lot of printing, you can skip the printer and use your local office supply for occasional needs. On the flip side, McKinstry said Theres nothing worse than being in the middle of an important project and having to stop to save your document to a USB drive, run out to FedEx, and print it all because your home office doesnt have a printer (or doesnt have a working printer). Having the right equipment and tools puts you in a position to do your work well and in a timely manner, so its worth it to invest in whatever you need to do your job.Consider this Comfort is very subjective, so its probably worth spending time in-person shopping for the perfect office chair.If you have a stand-up desk, consider something beyond the mat. FluidStance tuch Clo ud is almost like a wobble board molded from 100% post-industrial recycled plastic. It works by creating a subtle instability underfoot that increases range of motion, elevates heart rate, fires up your core and improves your balance. I tested one out and find its even great as a footrest as well.Theres an app for thatApps are your friend. If youre a night owl but dont want your clients to know youre answering their crucial missives at midnight, use scheduling add-ons (Boomerang for Gmail is invaluable to me). McKinstry suggests Freshbooks an excellent tool for bookkeeping, invoicing, and time-tracking. Swim is a Trello fan and said I try to keep things streamlined, so appreciate having everything I use frequently available from one window.Some new tools for your at-home tradeMicrosofts Surface Laptop 2 is definitely on my wish list. It has a faster and more powerful processor and better battery life (up to 14.5 hours). Its also more affordable and is available in a new color, matte black.ASUS Zenbook fr 15 has something called Screen Extender mode with the ScreenPad. You can extend your laptops screen onto ScreenPad, giving you a dual display in one device. Its a great option for your smaller space.reMarkable is definitely pricey, but it also looks like a great option for those who doodle and sketch their ideas and need them easily accessible through the cloud as well. Wacom Intuos offers a much more affordable (albeit more limited) sketch-and-write to your computer option.Freshen the air around your puter with a new plant from Lon George. Theyre pruned and styled by interior design pros and for every plant sold funds are donated to plant a tree.Working from home can be a lonely pursuit. Stop for a fun coffee break with your coworkers from UPS, FedEx, and USPS by sharing an adorable shot of FORTO, a 2 oz. shot of shelf-stable, organic cold brew thats perfect to keep in your fridge or at your desk. Hersheys Chocolate Latte anyone?

10 of the best work from home jobs hiring right now

10 of the best work from home jobs hiring right now10 of the best work from home jobs hiring right nowLooking for thebest work from home jobsavailable? Youve come to the right place Whether youre looking to supplement your income or looking to earn a great living working from home, these 10 jobs will prove to be great options and as a bonus, theyre hiring right nowFollow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraWhy Work From HomeIf you are reading this guide, there is a good chance you are looking for work from home jobs or are looking to transition away from a traditional desk job.jobIn the past, work from home jobs were seen as perks offered only by IT companies or startups competing for the worlds best talent. The fact is that many of the top companies in the world are now constantly seeking to hire remote employees for several reasons.Working From Home Makes You Happier ( More Efficient)Acc ording to a Stanford Universitystudy, which was published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, employees who work from home report higher job satisfaction, are more engaged in their work and are also more efficient workers.Its hard to argue with more job satisfaction and higher efficiency The reality is that many people simplyneed to work from homefor health, family or other reasons.Years ago, you had to accept lower quality or lower paying job in bestellung to work from home, but the tide is turning, and there are tons of awesome opportunities if you know where to look for them.Who Should Work From HomeIf youve ever fantasized about quitting your 9-to-5 job to work from home, there are a few things you need to know to set yourself up forsuccess. Today, fruchtwein companies have extremely structured work environments to get the fruchtwein out of their employees.After all, not every worker is a go-getter, and some require a bit of an oversight. This means that to make koranve rs you have what it takes to succeed in working from home, you need to be self-motivated, organized, and have excellent communication skills.If you arent able to do those things, you might be better off keeping that 9-to-5 But if youre ready to spread your wings and fly free, keep reading to see our top work from home jobsThe Pros and Cons Of Work From Home JobsWhen considering remote job options, its wise to keep the positives as well as the negatives in mind. Yes, there are negatives to working from home. Its not always a good match.The Benefits Of Work From Home JobsBy and large, the flexibility offered by work from home jobs is what makes them so appealing for so many people. Being able to work whenever you are able to and not needing to stick to a fixed schedule is the biggest asset of working from home.If you are looking for work from home jobs to avoid the commute but still want a more traditional career, there are many full-time opportunities available as well. Its true that working from home is no longer only for those who cant work at least 40 hours per week.In fact, we found that many of the workers we interviewed liked working from home because they could flex their hours up and earn more money when they needed it. And, working from home lets the worker design his or her own work environment from the ground up.Using a work environment thats free from distractions, remote workers can maximize their own living space to get the most out of where they spend their time.The Downsides Of Working From HomeWhen it comes to working from home, youll likely be spending the vast majority of your time on the computer or on the telephone depending on your role. This means that youll be spending less time interacting with other people in an office (unless you work from a co-working space). In fact, the 1 downside that we heard from employees who previously worked from home and went back to working in an office was that they felt isolated working from home.If you a re someone who has limited social interaction outside of work and knows this is a critical aspect of their job satisfaction, youll need to specifically look for jobs that require virtual interaction (our 2 job might be the perfect fit).And, the remote position requires a good amount of discipline and time management. If you arent a self-motivated person who can buckle down without a boss in the office, you may struggle. And now, without further ado, heres ourTop 10 Work From Home Positions for 2019Best Work From Home JobsSymposiumVIPKidAmazonAetnaAirbnbTranscribeMeRoverBelayMagic EarsVirtual Assistant (various companies)1.SymposiumSymposium is one of the fastest growing opportunities in the industry. If you havent heard of Symposium before, thats going to change.The company built a platform which gives users the ability to host or attend live pay-per-view broadcasts. Symposium scored nearly perfect marks across the board.What sets Symposium apart from the competition? Symposium was the only company we found that didnt require or strongly recommended the need for a computer.As long as you have an iPhone running iOS or Android, youll be able to get started on their platform. How does Symposium work? Symposium allows you to host one-to-many live broadcasts on a pay-per-view model. This means that you can potentially have thousands of people tuning in and paying to see your live session, which means the skys the limit when it comes to your earning potential on the platform.And, its up to you what you talk about. Design each presentation around your own level of expertise. Hold broadcasts in the middle of the night if thats when your audience is watching. In other words, flexibility is nearly unmatched.The platform is catered to working professionals seeking coaching, advice, tutorials, or any other type of session you can imagine. Not sure what you have to teach others? Most people have a hobby, skill, or experience which is unique and highly valuable.Think outsid e of the box. For example, if you know the holidays are approaching and youre an expert at making a Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings, you can easily schedule a session to cover how to prepare those meals from scratch.Symposium is the perfect platform for those who demand flexibility in their schedules, are self-motivated and have solid communication skills.2.VIPKidHands down one of the BEST work from home jobs for teachers is VIPKid.VIPKidis a leading online education company headquartered in China and San Francisco. The company has been valued at over 3 billion dollars and has quickly established itself as a leader in the field.The company matches American and Canadian teachers with Chinese children for virtual English language lessons. All courses are conducted entirely in English, so absolutely no knowledge of Chinese is required.The company does have educational requirements for tutors, so you must have a bachelors degree (in any field of study) to join the platform.If you want to take full advantage of the platform, you should plan to work in the early morning hours due to the time difference with China. Class payouts usually start at a base rate of $8, and each class is 25 minutes.You receive a $1 bonus for completing the class, and another $1 bonuses is added once youve taught 45 classes in a month (less than two classes a day), which means youre making a total of $20 per hour.Some teachers we spoke with began earning between $7.50 $8.50 on the platform per class, but rates tend to increase as you build your reputation as a steller teacher. Finally, VIPKid was the one job where the word fun was used the most often to describe their work, which we thought was pretty awesome.3.AmazonEveryone is familiar with the global retail giant, but few are familiar with the fact that they are leaders in the virtual working space. In fact, Amazon always has numerous job postings for virtual working locations on theirvirtual job board.These opportunities are per fect for individuals looking for a more standard work arrangement from the comfort of their home since most of the jobs are full-time. Jobs start at minimum wage, but go up from there, with one current employee telling us they started at an annual salary of $62,000. Not bad considering they spend most days in their pajamas in their home office.4.AetnaYou probably knowAetnaas the large managed health care company, with millions of members participating in their health insurance plans. Like Amazon, theyve established themselves as a leader in the work from home space.Founded in the 1800s, this is a stable employer for anyone who needs a strong benefits plan, as well as a more structured work environment. Unsurprisingly for an insurance giant, many of their jobs are for data entry, data analysis, reporting, and reviewing information.This means they often require a degree or prior related experience. The benefit of working for a company with a strong work-from-home network is that they have the support, training, and other programs to help you succeed in your remote position.5.AirbnbAt this point, the chances are that you have either stayed at or know someone who hasstayed at an Airbnb. The company started as a more affordable alternative to hotels for those on the go and is now hosting more bookings on a daily basis than Hilton hotels globally.But most people dont know how to apply for Airbnb work from home jobs. As a host, youll spend less time trying to convince people to book a room in your home, and more time deciding what to do with the money that rolls in.We spoke to several individuals who are hosts on Airbnb, and they ranged from new users hosting a single room in their home, up to power hosts with multiple properties being rented simultaneously.There is a lot of money to be made on the Airbnb platform, but you should realize that in order to make enough money to live off of, youll likely need to be renting several rooms or properties.For example, renting a single room for $50 a night will net you $1,500 per month (beforeAirbnb takes their cut), which is a nice extra check to get, but youd be kidding yourself if you think thats enough to live off of. However, for those that are more entrepreneurially minded, there is ample opportunity to make serious cash on this platform.6.TranscribeMeIf you came here to see a more traditional work from home job on this list, youll be happy to seeTranscribeMeon this list. The company offers speech-to-text transcription services and translation services around the world. You work as much or as little as you want, and you do it on your schedule.Whats not to love about that? If you love to write, want a job that requires little training, and love to learn about many different topics, then this might be the perfect match. Their pay starts at 33 cents per audio minute, which comes out to $20 per hour7.RoverIn the world of stay-at-home jobs, you can find nearly anything you can dream up. And yes, that in cludes playing with puppies and getting paid for it.Roveris a dog sitting or overnight dog boarding platform, which matches dog owners who need a dog sitter for an upcoming trip, party, meeting, vacation, etc., with dog lovers looking take great care of pets. The company also offers dog walking services. Become a sitter on Rover doesnt have a lot of formal requirements, but the company does everything they can to ensure that they find qualified dog sitters.We met with a dog sitter who has relied on Rover for over two years for a full-time income, and she makes roughly $3,000 per month taking care of three dogs at a time. Those who do this part-time can earn approximately $1,000 per month, which isnt bad for an activity It goes without saying, but this is only a good opportunity for those of you who are true animal lovers and would take incredible care of these awesome pets.8.BelayBelayis a virtual personal assistant company which matches people looking for extra help so that they ca n be more productive, with awesome people working from home.The services they offer include virtual assistants, virtual bookkeepers, and website specialists. They do require that all applicants go through an assessment process to make sure that you are a good fit for the company.Once approved, they will match you with a client who is a good fit for your skill-sets, abilities, and interests. According to one insider who we spoke with on the condition of anonymity, you can expect to earn roughly $16 per hour as a virtual assistant.Virtual bookkeepers with solid accounting experience can expect to receive more on the platform. One person also mentioned the fact that theres no shortage of work on the platform, but that finding the right client is key for long-term success.9.Magic EarsMagic Earsis an English learning platform for student ages 4-12. The company provides a 1-on-4 teacher to student ratio, which creates a fun learning environment.Due to the larger class size, they are able to pay between $22-$26 per hour, which is solid. The company, which is based in Beijing, requires that all instructors be from the US or Canada and be native English speakers.Unlike VIPKid, the company does require a six-month commitment, which we assume is there in order to justify the training they provide teachers. A high-speed internet connection is also desired so that the connection with students is of high quality. This is an awesome option for educators or individuals who seek to interact with others throughout the day.10.FiverrUnlike, the others on this list,Fiverris a platform in which you can find work from home opportunities and gigs. It made the list because it was often cited as a reliable place to find great opportunities managing social media accounts and profiles.To become a social media manager, you should be able to regularly create new social media content for your client, as well as manage their social media presence.One work-from-home social media manager that we spoke with focused exclusively on Pinterest, and earned $2,500 per month, working only 20 hours per week since she had several clients who needed similar work.Fiverr gigs typically start at just a few dollars for basic projects, but the beauty of the platform is that its super easy to join and start earning money.If you have a great talking voice, you can even focus exclusively on voice-overs Youll have to do several gigs in order to make enough money to replace a full-time income, but its possible if you establish yourself and build a strong Fiverr reputationSummaryIf you are ready to start working from home, we know these ten jobs are the best of the best. While our list only includes 10 of the best work from home jobs, there many more that we evaluated.This means that you should also do your own research when deciding where to apply for a job. If you arent convinced by the idea of working from home, that is okay because we created the ultimate guide tomaking a resume(some work from home jobs still require a resume) so that you can get noticed for your dream job.This article was originally published onThe Money mixtur. Learn more about theMoney Mix Insiders program.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Psychologists on the most important workplace dynamics

Psychologists on the most important workplace dynamicsPsychologists on the most important workplace dynamicsWhile every company wants to be financially successful - it shouldnt come at the cost of your employees. Busy seasons, stressful deadlines, demanding clients and endless meetings all contribute to raised levels of anxiety in the professional sphere. Though these experiences are to be expected, there are ways that smart leaders can guide the environment of their workplace to be positive and supportive.One strategic avenue to explore is the psychology behind why we feel the way we do when we walk into our bro day-in and day-out. Does your team feel dread on Monday? Or are they hyped for projects and interactions? Here, the most important dynamics to prioritize in your company to make everyone feel valued for their contributions and excited to be part of your businessRespect the difference between introverts and extrovertsIn the most basic terms, an introvert needs alone time to reboot, while an extrovert can use the company of others to gain inspiration. Every company needs a little of both to maintain balance and complete work - but all-too-often, their needs are managed together and judged the same. This is a miss, according to Dr. Chandler S. Chang, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of The Therapy Lab.Introverts are the folks who dive into an impossibly difficult task on their own, even as others lose momentum On the other hand, the extroverts may thrive on planning team interactions and collaborations and benefit from workplace chat, he continues. Each style is equally productive, but its key for colleagues to appreciate the differences and for managers to match employees to the right tasks. This may mean leaving an introverts door closed or not interrupting them when they have their headphones on. It could also mean pairing together duos you know will work cohesively together, even if they arent energized in the same way.Prioritize trustTh ink back on the worst job you ever had. Was it waiting tables at the local BBQ joint in your hometown? Or an entry-level gig with a boss who had a supersized ego? Whatever the case, you probably felt unsettled because you didnt value the thought leadership of those who were leading you. Like any relationship, having trust is essential to progress. When your employees dont believe you have their back, they wont follow your direction or respect your decisions, according to Dr. Judy Ho, board-certified clinical and forensic neuropsychologist and author. Not only is this bad news for your company, but the health of everyone on your team will suffer, too.Lack of trust in your superiors leads to a number of physical and psychological problems, including poor diet, lack of exercise, increased risk in cardiovascular disease, obesity, and high blood pressure, and increased risk for anxiety and depression, she continues. This likely relates to the feelings of helplessness that one feels to af fect their own work-life if they cant trust their boss to look out for their best interests.Be flexible with environmentSure, you probably cant redesign your entire office based on one piece of feedback - but it is worth analyzing how you could change some areas to improve productivity. Much like the differences between introverts and extroverts, founder and CEO of The Genius Within, Dr. Nancy Doyle says many people have adverse reactions to their environment. While some are hypersensitive with noise, others react to lights differently. In whatever way you can, help people get into their groove by optimizing their desk and working area. And perhaps, the time they clock in daily.We can accommodate this with noise-canceling barriers, headphones, seating in quiet zones, booking out meeting rooms for reports that require concentration find the compromise that fits the role best, she urges. This is why some people are more productive when working from home or on flextime, whether coming in early or staying late when its quiet.Facilitate deep workIf you arent familiar with deep work, its when a professional blocks off time in their calendar to zero-in on a project. Usually, the work requires their full attention, sans interruption. For those who are booked in back-to-back meetings for hours every single day, the possibility to sit at a computer screen and focus seems impossible. But with the help of upper management, it can be a reality for all employees. In fact, its the top recommendation from Dr. Don Vaughn in the psychology department at UCLA.Give permission for employees in these roles to block two to three consecutive hours to eliminate distractions in the form of meetings or even simple requests on Slack, he continues. Protected time is essential because the prefrontal cortex- which controls goal rahmen and attention- can be derailed by something as innocuous as a 30-second question. After even a minor distraction, it can take 15 to 30 minutes to get fully b ack on task.Manage the boss with strategic communicationYep, you read that correctly junior employees must manage their senior leaders by understanding how to approach conversations effectively. As Dr. Chang explains, sometimes younger (or more inexperienced) employees tend to update their boss too often or too little. While tone is important when speaking to someone above you, so is your frequency. Every update you give to the person writing your check every two weeks should have meaning and more often than not, a solution or a specific ask.If your persistent optimism and rosy outlook on the workweek instills anxiety in your manager, aim for a more measured report. If a problem or challenge is being identified, it should always be accompanied by possible solutions. Even if theyre not viable, having a few ideas will start the conversation and create momentum, Dr. Chang recommends. Observe and reflect on your managers and your teammates personalities and manage your communication wi th intention and not in a haphazard way.Create the opportunity for communityNo matter if youre a heads-down type of workforce or you have bagel Wednesdays until 11 a.m., people are more likely to stay at a company if they have a sense of community. Strict rules, lack of communal spaces or an overbearing, micromanaging c-level team can make employees feel anxious or alone in their work. Think about a kid who is bullied at school or a fourth wheel that was kicked out of a three-person friendship. It doesnt feel good - and it shouldnt be the way your team describes their jobs.As most people spend a good amount of their waking lives at work, the workplace should be one of the primary communities that you can feel supported by, Dr. Ho explains. This does not involve a lot of extracurricular veranstaltungs, nor does it mean you are standing around the water cooler talking all the time, but even the idea of implicit community - knowing that your co-workers are there for you in the event you want to take a break with them, shoot the breeze, or brainstorm about a work problem - can improve your quality of life at work.