Practical Tips and Useful Tools to Perform in Your Business
My studio is my sanctuary: as soon as I cross that threshold, my creativity ignites. And do you know why? Because time preserves memory and location holds energy.
That's why it's crucial to dedicate time and care to the creation of your "sacred space":
a place to immerse yourself in work harmoniously, cultivate passions, grow your business, and pursue your growth as an entrepreneur.
For me, it represents the perfect balance between solitary focus and the vitality of other entrepreneurs surrounding me - online and offline. Despite my work nomadism, my home office remains my safe haven: a space for productivity and innovation. Whether it's the cozy atmosphere of a café, the professional environment of a client's office, or the serenity of my terrace, my studio serves as an anchor for my work.
Remote work offers unparalleled freedom, allowing you to operate wherever you are. Just imagine that feeling of freedom: working how, where, and when you want. In my opinion, it's an opportunity that makes it easier to harmonize work and personal life.
However, to build a solid entrepreneurial reality while working remotely, discipline, awareness, and having the right tools are crucial. Those who work from home don't have a clear separation between work and private space, risking being overwhelmed by the workload, skipping meals, and spending hours glued to the computer.
I speak from experience: the risk of overworking is real, especially when the office is so close at hand.
If you're starting your own business and feel lost, or if you want to elevate your current one, you might find the answers in your work environment.
Fuel Your Concentration and Determination
Always take care of yourself and set boundaries: It's easy to lose track of time when working from home, but it's important to take breaks and disconnect from the work routine. Dedicate time to rest, exercise, socialize (even virtually), and engage in activities you're passionate about outside of work. Self-care is essential for maintaining a healthy mental balance and preventing burnout. Maintain a clear distinction between work and personal time by establishing regular hours and a designated workspace.
One tool that has helped me a lot is the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. Designed to improve productivity and concentration during work or study, the concept is to break work into defined time intervals, usually 25 minutes long, called "pomodoros," separated by short breaks. After four pomodoros, take a longer break.
You can find various videos on Youtube that you can use as background (as a Harry Potter fan ⚡️, this is my favorite).
Routines Matter: A routine provides structure and stability to the workday. Even when working from home, it's important to set regular hours to start and end work. This also includes time for rest, relaxation, and recreational activities. Maintaining a consistent routine can help reduce stress and improve the sense of control over your day.
At the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, I struggled to develop effective and sustainable routines. But I realized that having well-structured habits really makes a difference, both at work and in daily life.
And do you know the secret? Knowing why and how to create these routines! That's why I highly recommend checking out the book "Atomic habits. An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear. You won't regret it, I promise! It will leave you speechless.
Create a Dedicated Workspace and Minimize Distractions: While working from home offers flexibility, it's essential to have a dedicated space solely for work (I see you working from your bed 👀).
This space should be quiet, tidy, and well-organized. Avoid working from bed or the couch, as it can compromise sleep and your mental association between relaxation and work.
A well-defined workspace promotes concentration and productivity. Additionally, implement strategies to reduce interruptions during critical work moments, whether it's a "do not disturb" sign, putting your phone in "work" mode, or relocating your pets during important calls.
Invest in the Level of Technology and Comfort You Need to Manage Your Remote Work
Whether you have a dedicated office or just a cozy corner, there are some essential elements that can significantly enhance your comfort and productivity while working remotely.
Below is a list of the 10 essential tools for entrepreneurs working from home. This selection has been carefully compiled based on reviews from top industry sites to simplify your search and offer you the best available options. So you can focus on your work without having to do all the research yourself! 😉
1.Quality Laptop: Essential for remote work, a reliable and high-performing laptop is crucial for managing all business activities wherever you are.
Best overall: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 Laptop, Durable, powerful, and long-lasting
Best Budget: Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga, Outstanding and excellent value for money
Best for business: Apple MacBook Air 13" with M3 chip, This MacBook means business!
2. Laptop Bag and Accessories: A sturdy and well-organized bag is essential for safely and conveniently carrying your laptop, accessories, and other devices while on the move.
Best overall: MOSISO Laptop Shoulder Bag, Open Side Messenger Bag with 2 Raised,1 Flapover,1 Horizontal Pocket,Handle&Belt
Best budget: Ytonet Laptop Case, Water Resistant Laptop Bag with Handle, Compatible with Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, Notebooks
Best for business (and under 15$): Bagasin Waterproof Laptop Carry Bag, Compatible with MacBook, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus Notebook
3. Headset with Microphone: Useful for calls and video conferences, headphones with a microphone reduce background noise and improve audio quality during online communications.
Best overall: Astro A50, among the best wireless pc headphones, indeed, as even the previous model offers one of the best audio quality.
Best budget: Eaglend Headset with Noise Cancelling Microphone , USB
Best for business: Logitech G G435, high-quality audio thanks to the integrated dual beamforming microphones that reduce background noise, memory foam earpads, lightweight.
4. Laptop Stand: To prevent overheating and maintain an ergonomic posture, a laptop stand is useful for elevating the laptop screen and improving ventilation.
Best overall: BESIGN LS03S Portable PC Stand, Ergonomic, in Aluminum
Best budget: BESIGN LSX7 Portable PC Stand with 360° Rotating Base
Best for business: BCOM Computer Stand with 360° Rotating Base,Ergonomic, Foldable, Adjustable, in Aluminum
5. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: They offer flexibility and convenience during long work sessions, allowing you to position the keyboard and mouse more ergonomically and comfortably.
Best overall: Perixx Periduo-605, Wireless Split Ergonomic Keyboard and Vertical Mouse
Best budget: Logitech MK220 Wireless Compact Keyboard and Mouse Combo for Windows, 2.4 GHz Wireless with USB Unifying Receiver, 24-Month Battery Life, Compatible with PC
Best for business: MARVO Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, Ergonomic, with Phone or Tablet Holder, Silent Mouse with 6 Buttons
6. Portable Power Bank: Essential during travels, a portable power bank ensures that your laptop, smartphone, and other devices remain charged when you're away from home.
Best overall: Belkin BoostCharge USB-C Portable Charger 10K Power Bank
7. Ergonomic Chair: An ergonomic chair ensures maximum comfort during long work sessions, reducing stress on the body and improving posture.
Best overall: JOYFLY Ergonomic Office Chair
Best budget: BESTOFFICE Chair with Lumbar Support, Armrest, Executive Rolling Swivel, Adjustable Mid Back
Best for business: EESDOM Ergonomic Office Chair, High Back, with Adjustable Lumbar Support and Headrest, Breathable Mesh Swivel
*Best for posture and under 100$: Ergonomic Kneeling Chair,Desk Chairs for Upright Posture,Rocking Stool & Balancing Seat for Alleviating Back Neck Pain,Improve Posture & Office,Wood & Linen Cushion
8. LED Lights/Ring Lights for Video Calls and Content: To improve lighting quality during video conferences and content creation, adjustable LED lights offer even and natural light.
Best overall: EOTO LIGHT Updated 18-inch LED Ring Light with tripod stand, with carrying bag and remote control
Best budget: Weilisi 10" Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand, 72'' Tall & Phone Holder, 38 Color Modes, Stepless Dimmable/Speed LED Ring Light
Best for business: Fugetek 12" Selfie Ring Light with 68" Aluminum Tripod Stand, Bluetooth Remote, Extendable, 3 Color Mode Controller, USB Powered, Apple & Android Compatible
9. Ergonomic Desk: Essential for creating a comfortable and healthy work environment, an ergonomic desk helps maintain a correct posture and reduce muscle strain during working hours.
Best overall: Monomi Electric Standing Desk, 55 x 28 inches Height Adjustable Desk, Ergonomic Home Office Sit Stand Up Desk with Memory Preset Controller
Best budget: AUTEX Portable Desk with Storage Shelves, Adjustable Height, Desk on Wheels, Mobile Standing Desk with Hooks
Best for business: SIAGO Electric Standing Desk Adjustable - 48 x 24 Inch Sit Stand up Desk with Cable Management - 3 Memory Preset Adjustable Height Desk Computer Home Office Desk
10. External Hard Drive: essential to save all the hard work done and always have it with you.
Best overall: Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
Best budget: ACASIS 500GB Portable External Hard Drive
Best for business: UnionSine 1TB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive
Remember to take a break - practices to recharge and preserve your Energy
Stretching and Short Physical Exercise
Working from home can often mean spending long periods sitting in front of the computer. To counteract stiffness and maintain high energy levels, schedule short stretching sessions or light physical exercises throughout the day. You can dedicate a few minutes every hour to stretch your arms, shoulders, and neck. Even a short 10-15 minute workout can work wonders to invigorate the body and mind.
Immerse Yourself in Nature and Breathe Fresh Air
When you need to disconnect from work, treat yourself to a rejuvenating outdoor walk. Fresh air and contact with nature can be extremely rejuvenating for the body and mind. Take deep breaths, observe the surrounding landscape, and let nature bring you back to the present, releasing the tensions accumulated during the workday.
Mindful Breathing with Aromatherapy
Use essential oils or diffusers to create a relaxing and stimulating atmosphere in your workspace. Oils like lavender to calm stress, rosemary to improve concentration, and eucalyptus to promote mental clarity can be particularly helpful. You can use a diffuser like this one:
SALKING Essential Oil Diffuser (please always be careful if you have pets, use non-toxic, organic and certified oils and in moderation)
Combine aromatherapy with mindful breathing: take breaks during the day to focus on your breath, inhaling the essential oils deeply and releasing tensions.
Meditation or Mindfulness
Dedicate some time to meditation or mindfulness to relax the mind and regenerate your energies. Find a quiet place, sit comfortably, and focus on your breath, letting go of stressful thoughts. Even just a few minutes a day can have significant benefits in reducing stress and improving mental well-being.
Cultivate Interests and Hobbies Outside of Work
Set aside time every day or week for activities that you're passionate about and bring you joy. Whether it's reading a book, painting, gardening, or playing sports, finding pleasure in non-work-related activities is essential to clear your mind from work commitments and recharge.
The Portable Office: Always Ready for Action
In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, mobility is essential.
Regardless of how wonderfully equipped your home office is, sometimes you'll find yourself working while on the move. With an "office in a bag," just grab your laptop or phone, and you'll be ready to work as soon as you arrive at your destination.
Do you have an office in a bag equipped with these essentials?
Cell phone with hotspot service (never assume there's Wi-Fi in every location)
Power cables for laptop and phone
Printed marketing materials needed
Business cards
Energy bars or snacks
Refine Your Sacred Space Over Time
As you settle into your studio, periodically evaluate its functionality and aesthetics. Ensure you have sufficient storage space, optimal lighting, and ergonomic furniture to support your productivity and well-being. Whether it's integrating feng shui principles or incorporating aromatherapy, personalize your workspace to foster concentration, motivation, and inspiration.
In the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship, your space/studio serves both as a sanctuary and a launchpad.
Are you interested in working with me to create and/or elevate your business?
FANTASTIC! I usually book new clients 1-2 months in advance (if you've read the article, you know why, lol), so please fill out the project request form HERE as soon as possible to discuss your business and which of my packages is most suitable for you.
AG Studio guides bold entrepreneurs in the hospitality and personal development industry with personal and/or business brands to conscious growth and sustainable success, helping them stand out online. CLICK HERE to learn more about my services and how I can help you!
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