Ways to Enhance your Writing View
So you are going to be working from home for the long haul?
When my son @chrishustl came up with the brilliant name for my business, The Write View, I was instantly in love. Then he came up with the tagline, "let me do the writing; you enjoy the view."
My response? He already had me at The Write View!
Clever, Creative, Clear and from all accounts people would say, pretty "branding voice perfect!"
Haha - all kidding aside, Chris knows that maximizing my view is for me, a mantra for living. At a restaurant, I want the seat, the table, the window, the fireplace or whatever it is that will help me achieve the best view. When travelling, I am your scenery girl, and if asked what I want to see, I will respond with, "just take me to the most spectacular and beautiful views."
My home is no different. I am blessed to live on a lake, but there are ways to create beautiful views wherever you are. You don't have to live on a lake. You don't even have to have a window.
If you are writing in your work, growing a business with your social media strategy, blogging, marketing or sales writing, you really will show your brand and voice off more authentically if you write in a space that resonates with you. It's contagious and will flow into your words.
100% Guaranteed.
Whether your work is now from home or returning to the office, I am a proponent for creating writing spaces that will fuel productivity, creativity and fill your senses with all the benefits.
If WFH (working from home) is your new reality, it is time to step back and truly make it functional and feel right.
In a sense, there are many things to consider in a workspace, things that functionally support your productivity while working; lighting, sound, nature, colours, electronics and ergonomics. Bringing these into play in your home can be an unexpected challenge to figure out.
Increase comfort
The first place you will feel the home office impact is your seating. Back pain is real, and the laws of physics prove that a sitter's weight needs to be well-supported for extended periods. Health professionals are finding that the wave of working from home is escalating the need for chiropractic care, physiotherapy and medical appointments related to back or shoulder pain. It is no wonder! If you are spending a workday using a kitchen chair or sofa designed for totally different functionality, your body will be letting you know! You do not need to house a vast or multi-faceted chair with all the dynamic features available to improve your ergonomic seating. Choose a chair that supports your head, neck and back. Think about how you work and where you need or will appreciate the comfort and support for the way you sit (posture changes), height you need, or reclining comfort. Adjustable armrests ergonomically support your shoulders right down to your wrists.
Find sweet space to spread out and move
Reportedly our homes and electronics are the most distractible place to work, and yet most of us entrepreneurs would say we love to work from home. With all the social media pressures to stay on top of our game, we are easily distracted. And often, those distractions can be negative and keep us from staying on track. Dropping your laptop onto the corner of a kitchen table, basement end table or on your lap for work is a recipe for distraction, amongst other problems. Finding an actual space to slide a desk area dedicated to office work will go a long way to dividing your roles in the day.
Separating your work area from your living areas is both psychologically and physically essential. If your commuting is steps within your home, you are wise to find a way to implement Sit-Stand-Move Habits throughout your day to break up your writing. Moving improves circulation and blood flow, needed to improve energy and minimize the risk of injury over time. Considering height options can allow you to listen to your body throughout the day, allowing you to stand up and move, a common need for the stay-home worker who has no commute anymore. Make use of discovery calls or other online appointments to move around, so when sitting or standing, you are ready to write.
Create Ambiance with Accessories
If you have chosen the space, you are ready for finishing touches that will heighten the value of your new home office and have it working efficiently for you and enhance your view. Your physical space impacts your mood and your mindset. Writing requires a mindset that allows creativity to flow, productivity to thrive.
Let there be light. Regardless if you have been blessed with a window by your workspace, adequate lighting is a must. Straining your eyes when writing can lead to fatigue, headaches and unnecessary stress on your body. Desk lighting that supports your work appeals to your preferences and dims when you want it to can be a game-changer, especially if you do not have natural light to assist you.
Add in personal touches. Your home office can still integrate the mood and style of your home. The workspace and chair options are enormous, from textures, colours or fabrics. Then add in the fun details as you have room to do. Find a plant, mug or photo to bring your home features to your space that will make you smile.
Think about the View - Sometimes, when I have a writer's block, it helps to stretch, walk around, grab a snack or hug someone. Surround your workspace with reminders of the reason you are working so hard. Perhaps it is a photo of your children or your award hanging on the wall that reminds you of your purpose or your passion.
Ask yourself what the best possible view you can create is.
You deserve a space for writing that physically optimizes your view. I promise it will bring out your best writing work yet. On the other hand, as Chris says, you can have me do the writing, and you enjoy your view!
Love your view,