Here Are 5 Tips For Working At HomeSo many people are working from home nowadays. Even before the coronavirus hit the nation, an estimated 4.3 million Americans were already working remotely. The statistics We Are More really cares about however, is the amount of people that would benefit from our work from home tips. Depending on occupations, it’s easy to assume that most remote jobs cater to different environments. Some people have opted to work from home, either as a business owner or independent contractor simply because they can. Some people also just work better from home, they are masters at accomplishing tasks from anywhere in the world. Since the coronavirus has affected millions of businesses and corporations, more people than ever are being forced to work from home. This blog is for them. Those who never intended confining their work space to a kitchen table, or couch, are having to do so amid fear of spreading the virus and the drive to maintain a paycheck. As a help for those who are trying to adjust to their new work environments, we came up with five things that every home worker should consider in order to maintain a good work ethic even with the distractions of home life. 1. Great Wi-FiIt’s a no brainer for people to have internet access when working from home, but most internet connections aren’t as strong as the one’s used in offices and other work spaces. The last thing any remote worker wants is interruptions and slow Wifi. Finding a great internet provider that offers quality yet affordable service is important to avoid down time while at home and to keep work flow moving steadily so you can get more done. If you’re thinking about getting a new provider with faster internet speeds and no lost connections, contact We Are More by phone and we’ll help you out. 2. Child SecurityWe know that being a parent can make working at home a million times harder, especially with toddler aged children and below. It would be exceptionally difficult to keep an eye on the kids as a single parent without any extra help from closed schools and limited daycare options during this time. That’s why We Are More highly recommends child security within your homes. You can keep an eye on your children and get work done without worrying about what they’re up to, or having to stop every five minutes to make sure they’re okay. Call us today for more recommendations in this category of home security. 3. Work SpaceIt’s third on the list, but probably the most important tip. Make sure to have an area in your home that is both relaxing and focus centric, it is key to getting work done in your house. You don’t need to have a fancy desk with 5 different PC screens and automatic closing doors to create a home office. All you have to do is make the best of what you’ve got. Find a quiet room/spot in your home where you’ll get minimal interruptions, set the lights at a comfortable brightness or turn them off completely, have water and snacks near by to limit getting up to grab food when you get hungry, put on a “work” music playlist to help you concentrate, and viola! A makeshift office. The worst thing about working from home is distractions, the best thing is being able to work the way you want, where you are most comfortable, to get the most out of your day. So, limit distractions by finding a good area to work without them, even if you have to set up base camp in the bathroom, do it! 4. LightingAs mentioned in the previous tip, having adjustable lighting is crucial for concentration. Being in a room that’s too bright can be harsh on the eyes leading to more headaches, eye straining, and stress. Being in a room that’s too dark could make you want to fall asleep, and staring at any bluelight screen for hours in the dark is another recipe for headaches, eye strains, and loss of sleep at night. The best solution is to have a well lit room from natural outdoor light, or adjustable lighting. We Are More has the best recommendations for adjustable lighting and can tell you about all it’s features and benefits, give us a call if you're interested. 5. Task ListsCreate a plan! I speak from experience when I say making a task list every morning before starting work has been extremely beneficial. Outlining your work day is a great way to stay productive and push forward to knock goals off your list. Give yourself the space to think before and after work about what tasks need to be added to your list so you can follow along and get the most out of your work day, no matter where you are working from.
That’s it! Five simple tips to help you work from home. Using all these tips combined, no matter how insignificant one or more might seem, you are sure to be more productive while working at home. Let us know what you think of our tips, or add some of your own in the comments!
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Smart Installation Myths1. "Smart Homes Aren't Environmentally Friendly."Wrong. Smart homes are so environmentally friendly that they constantly overlap with the same benefits of green homes. Though they are two different types of buildings, the amount of difference is a thin line. While green homes are focused more on the sustainability of water, energy and temperature, smart homes are focused on the control of these features. One uses less of them, the other controls the use of them. Different, but similar. With smart homes, the usage is literally in your hands. 2. "Only celebrities can afford smart installations."With that mentality, probably, but I don't think that way. If you can afford to go out to eat on the weekends, you can also afford smart living. Something as simple as having an Amazon Alexa can make your space a smart one! 3. "I'm not good with tech, I'm too old for this stuff, smart technology just isn't for me..."The best part about smart technology is that it does all the thinking for you. It's not called smart for nothing! After allowing the experts at We Are More to do the installations, you can sit back and relax. Voice commands and single remote control make smart living as easy as anything else you're accustomed to. 4. "Your entire property has to be smart."Not at all. Let's say you're wanting smart lighting for your bedroom but don't care to have smart lights in the kitchen. You don't need smart lighting configured throughout your home just to have it in one room. It can specifically be installed into your bedroom and nowhere else without any problems. You will always be in charge of your smart installations and the rooms you want it to be in. 5. "Smart thermostats save money."Yes and no. It is true that smart thermostats can save thousands of dollars each year, but a regular thermostat can save just as much money if monitored. The cool thing about smart thermostats is that they are programmable and can reduce energy bills without you having to do much of anything. To keep the price down with a regular thermostat you have to constantly remember to turn it off and on. With a smart thermostat the temperature can be set to automatically change with the temperature of the home, or be controlled from your smart device. The only difference is convenience. 6. "Smart technology is only used in brand new buildings."False. Majority of smart homes aren't (nor do they have to be) brand new. You could take a rickety old shack and turn it into a smart home in less than a day. Smart technology does not discriminate.
Do you know of any other smart "myths" that need debunking? Let us know in the comments and we'll do our best to answer your questions! 12 "Smart" Parenting ToolsParenting will always be a rollercoaster of sleepless nights, joyful times, and testing patience but, with smart technology, it has never been easier. Parents who utilize smart appliances are turning stress and anxiety into peace and calmness. Creating a childproof smart home is also simpler than it sounds. Below is a general "tip list" of the types of appliances that all parents can benefit from while lowering their heart rates. 1. Smart Sleep and Breathing MonitorsMonitor children's sleeping patterns along with heartbeat, breathing, and other sleep habits like rolling over and waking up. This is especially helpful for new parents. They won't have to get up as often to check on their baby through the night. 2. Video MonitorsKeep an eye on children from anywhere in the house. Parents will always know their toddler's whereabouts so they can calmly relax while having their attention in two places at once. 3. Entry Sensors for Doors and WindowsWhen babies start crawling and walking they'll want to go as far as they can. Use entry sensors to always know when they've crawled through a door or are attempting to open a window 4. Flood and Leak SensorsBath time is fun! Until parents end up with a waterlogged floor costing up to hundreds of dollars in repairs. Keep the splashing to a minimum with your older toddlers using flood and leak sensors to monitor any signs of water overflow from baths and sinks. 5. Indoor Security CamerasMuch like baby monitors, indoor security cameras help keep children safe. Parents can view their kids from anywhere to make sure they aren't getting into any mischief, but indoor cameras can also be doubled with alarms and intruder alerts. This helps parent's go about their day, and allow them to sleep soundly knowing their child is safe. 6. Sound MachineBabies need their sleep as much as parents do, but sometimes they have a hard time getting any. Sound machines block out unwanted noises that could wake a child up. They're also soothing and can give children something to focus on while falling asleep. 7. Motion Sensor LightsWhen toddlers are past the point of potty training, they'll need to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. Having motion sensor lights that turn on as they walk to the bathroom will allow them to see where they're going without waking their parents up or crying out of frustration not knowing where to go. These lights can be installed in bedrooms, hallways and near doors. 8. Smart VacuumBy now, most people know about the famous iRobot Roomba. Such a great little gadget that does a big job at keeping things tidy. Busy parents can't always find the time to vacuum, that's why childproofing a home with a smart vacuum is beneficial! Limiting messes and one less chore is always nice. On days when nothing else gets done, at least the floors will be clean! 9. Temperature ThermometersNursery and bathwater thermometers are great for keeping children calm. Babies are sensitive and don't adapt to swift changes in temperature as well as adults do. Being able to monitor the temperature in a baby's room or bath water can help keep their agitation down while in a fussy mood. Helping them sleep better through the night means the parents will sleep better too. 10. Pool AlarmMost babies and toddlers love water! It's just fun. Sadly, an average of 350 children die each year from drowning in a backyard pool. There's no reason for children to continue adding to the statistic. Any parent with a pool would be wise to get an alarm for their pools. 11. Other Smart Room SensorsIf a parent doesn't have any cameras installed, or they do but want extra assurance, smart room sensors are good to have. These sensors notify parents when their child has left a certain section and gone to another, or if they've walked or crawled into a part of a house that's off limits. These areas could be a laundry room, office, pantry etc. 12. Reminder ClipsIf you want smart child safety to go a step farther, take it to the car! Reminder Clips are clipped onto children in cars and set off an alert if their parents leave the car without them. It might sound like common sense to some, "don't forget your baby in the car!" but babies die of heat exhaustion from being forgotten in a car multiple times a year. Even if you are the best parent in the world and know you would never leave your baby in the car, it's still a good idea to get one-- no parent ever planned on leaving their child in the car.
Lunch Spots For Hangry Workers In LahainaThe days seem longer at work, yes, even in Hawaii. Employees still enjoy paradise from the office and job sites, but workdays always get a little better around lunch time. Knowing the best spots to get food is a must on the islands. If you were raised in Hawaii, you are bound to know a few of the best lunch stops around. There are so many, however, that you probably have not heard of them all. Most of the ones I’m going to mention are well known, but make sure to drop some of your favorites in the comments so We Are More can try those out too! First, We Are More employees usually get food from places that offer take out. Being able grab food on the run, and still be able to enjoy a fresh meal is essential. Disclaimer: These places are not in order from most loved to least loved, they’re all great food options! FoodlandFoodland is a supermarket that can only be found in Hawaii. It’s the land of food! My favorite thing to get there is the fresh avocado ahi poke bowl with white rice. You just walk in, tell them what you want, pay for it, and go back to work. It is quick and fresh! They have a wide variety of choices to choose from when it comes to lunch favorites! I am stuck on the avocado poke though. You can never go wrong with a poke bowl, and Foodland’s bowls are always both affordable and tasty. Alchemy MauiWhen I first tried their surf club panini— I was hooked! Back then I was a college student, and the price of my sandwich had me second guessing my lunch choice, but everyone assured me it was worth it. They were right! It was mouthwatering goodness that I would gladly fork up my last dime for! The panini was packed to its fullest with chicken breasts, tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon, basil dijonnaise, and cheddar cheese, served on warm sour dough bread. It also came with a fresh and savory side salad and pickles! I’ve been back quite a few times since then and it’s always just as good as the first time, no matter what I order. Moku RootsI am not a vegan, or vegetarian, or any other type of person on a no meat diet. I love meat, it is part of my balanced diet, and it always will be. Moku roots is a vegan restaurant. I’m sure meat lovers everywhere are getting ready to skip reading this part of the blog. However, if meat eaters actually took a look at their daily eating habits, they’d be surprised at how many “vegan” foods they eat every day. Vegan food has the potential to taste just as good, if not better, as any other type of food! It just has to be prepared correctly, and Moku Roots does it right! Their food is not only healthy and nutritious, but it also tastes really, really, really good! My favorite thing to order from them is the loaded fries. I think it’s actually an appetizer, but there’s so much food on my plate that it could feed two people as a regular meal. They have so many different healthy options that are so delicious! Trust me, check them out. Baya BowlsAcai bowls are probably more popular in Hawaii than anywhere else in the US. Since that’s true, there are so many places to grab one, and they’re all delicious. We especially like Baya Bowls, not just for their insanely good bowls but also because they are nearest to our office for a quick pick up. Their acai bowls come with bananas, strawberries, granola, agave/honey, and of course acai. They also have a list of other treats you can add to your bowl. My favorite thing to add is lilikoi! I love the tartness mixed in with the sweet. Baya Bowls also offers different sizes, large and small. It’s nice having the option of how big my bowls are so I don’t waste a single drop! Aloha Braised & The Edge Maui Food TrucksAloha Braised fried rice herb chicken bowl is my go-to. When I’m feeling extra hungry, they’re always kind enough to whip up some buttered garlic shrimp and put it over some rice for me. They have all kinds of local favorites from loco moco’s to poke steak to local style tater tots! It’s always hard to decide what to get, but you could choose literally anything off their menu and be satisfied. All their food is delicious. Local or not, everyone should try it! The Edge Maui is pretty similar to the Aloha Braised food truck, which is why they’re also super good. They offer the same style of food, with their own way of making it. Their menu specials change from day to day. My favorites are their steak plate and their shrimp scampi with parmesan garlic bread. Simply amazing food that’ll leave you craving it on any workday. Every food stop in Lahaina has tastey food — if they weren’t all great choices, then they wouldn’t be in business. The eateries listed above are just a handful of the ones We Are More’s employee’s stop at on the busier days, but the list goes on and on. Hopefully, you will get to try some of these awesome places soon.
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Our AuthorSamara Towers does We Are More's PR & Marketing which includes writing our blogs! She was born and raised in Hawaii and graduated from Corban University with a Bachelors Degree in Creative Writing. She produces content to give our audience more insight and opinions on technical solutions big and small. Archives
January 2023
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