I've worked from home for years. Yes, I have Mr Limey around from time to time but I can certainly act as a sounding board for your ideas.
Time: My hours can be irregular (because I have translation clients from all over, and deadlines set for all sorts of times of day). It is great that my clients set the deadlines because I am lazy and lack self-discipline if I'm left to my own devices. But basically I try to be at my desk on and off through the working day, and away from it on days off.
Place: I find it very useful to have an "office" so that when I am sat there (like I am now, LOL) I know I'm supposed to be working or thinking about work. I think it is good if your office isn't visible (even in the corner of your eye) when you are taking time off.
Equipment: It is EXTREMELY important to have a set up that works for you ergonomically. For me this is a stool that is on rockers (good for my back, makes me sit up), a split keyboard (good for my wrists, I do a lot of typing), my monitor raised up quite high (I'm tall) so that I'm looking straight ahead at it, and the right correlation between seat height and keyboard height (YMMV).
Breaks: It's a very good idea to factor these in, based both around chores, but also around proper enjoyable time out (half an hour of crafting, reading etc, and obviously taking the dawgs out).
Socialising: If you think this is an issue then make an effort to include it. Join a walking (or other) club near you, go to events at your local library or community centre regularly, volunteer for something on a regular basis that takes you out to meet people.
That's my initial thoughts but ask away.
 

I worked 100% remote, for a time. These are my tips:

1) If you are physically able to use a standing desk, and can afford one, I recommend it. They have motorized desks that move up and down, even at Costco. What I had done is install a strong shelf on the wall (into the studs!) and always stood up. If you have a wireless headset, you can pace around. If you need to rest, you can un-dock your laptop, or get a very high (bar stool height) chair to use sparingly. If you get an up/down desk, I recommend sitting on a yoga ball chair. You will want to make yourself as active as possible.

2) After work, go to the grocery store and buy only what you are going to eat for dinner that night. Do this every day! You will want to get out of the house, see people, and walk around. It might not sound like much, but this was one thing that maintained my sanity. Yes, even during the pandemic I recommend this. If it's possible to walk to the store, do that. Bring two canvas grocery totes and fill them up as you walk the aisles, that's as much as you can carry and that's all you get.

3) It only takes a minute to put in a load of laundry or complete one small step of a housecleaning task. I guarantee you can get all your chores done with less productive time wasted than people spend chatting at the water cooler. Again, wireless headset, you're in a meeting listening to someone talk, your headset is muted and you're cleaning your countertops or unloading the dishwasher. Staying active will help keep you focused. Sitting down at a desk and staring at your computer in a designated working area will absolutely not maintain your focus and productivity like fidgeting around the house will-- that is, if you are wired anything like me.

What kind of work will you be doing?
 

Woo!  Lots of tips - thanks!

Some extra info:

 - I'll likely be working normal office hours for the most part, but there are people working all over the world, so it may be irregular at some times.
 - I am getting two monitors from the company along with my laptop.  My plan is to put all three at eye height with various stands.  I already have two sets of monitor stands from when I was a contractor.  I'd need a laptop stand, though
 - My "desk" is my old dining room table that I've taken over as a working space during the pandemic and plan to continue using
 - I do have a separate work space in the office, but I'll need to have a spot to do my own household work: bills and filing and stuff

@limey - Not having a separate work space was a huge problem when I was living in the apartment.  Now that I have an actual room for it, it's so much better!  It doesn't feel like I'm always at work or anything.  I've found one group that meets up pretty regularly just to get together and work.  I think it'll be a good option for days I don't have any meetings.

@glatt - The only chair I have is a cheapo task chair from 20 years ago.  I'm so not trying to use that for 8 hours a day!  Used office furniture is a good idea, thanks!  I might splurge on a brand new chair, but there's some other things I could get used.  I get the feeling this new company is all about turning on the video during meetings, so hopefully I'll be seeing more faces than my last job.

@flint - I want to get a sit/stand desk.  I can't stand for that long, my feet/legs/back start to hurt, but I used it a little at my old office and would like to at least have the option.  I don't think I'll be able to pace or do chores during meetings because I think they use video all the time.  That's a good point about the water cooler, though.  I could do some chores just to get my butt out of the chair.  Going to the store daily is 100% not for me.  I would HATE it.  I don't know if I can do stuff while in meetings because I think video is pretty well used.  I'll be doing Software QA Automation and process improvement stuff. 

Working out is something I've struggled with since I lost my gym.  I have one at my house, but I can't seem to get my ass in gear to actually get into a routine.  I mainly use kettlebells, but I have barbells and weights for deadlifts and bench presses.  I'm hoping to get a squat cage soon to add those, too.  Hardstyle KB swings are good for posterior chain strengthening and I do those with 20kg as my preferred weight.  I just need to get it worked into the routine

If you want the benefits of a standing desk but can't stand for very long, I recommend a treadmill desk. A real treadmill is meant to go fast, but a treadmill desk can make tiny speed adjustments in the "slow walk" range, and I've found that it's not hard at all to place my forearms on the desk and type while strolling. Most of the pain people get from standing too long is from locking their joints and fluid buildup in the legs, and keeping everything gently moving prevents all that. It's a great way to sneak in exercise.

@monster - I have to use multiple screens.  It's not an option to only use one anymore.  I don't understand people who only use one!!  I got two from the job and the laptop, so technically 3 monitors

@clod - I'm not sure that's a good idea for me.  I can't read and walk at the same time.  I even have to stop when I'm looking at the grocery store list.

@flint - I'm considering hiring one of my old trainers.  They were awesome and all about keeping that strength and "reversing" the effects of sitting all day.

I got my hardware from the office.  I have looked up a standing desk (that will cost about 1200 with all the different options).  I think I'm going to go look for a chair tomorrow.  I'm just going to see what Staples has.  Regardless if they'll reimburse it, I need one, so I want to get it before I start Monday.  I am also thinking of getting a stand specifically for my laptop instead of the monitor stand I have now.  Again, it's something I could use even if they provide something.

I really wanted to get some more things done this week that I'm off, but the dogs kind of ruined that plan.  I still have 4 more days to be productive, though.  Wish me luck!

I have two 22" monitors on my main PC and another PC with it's own 22" right next to these. It's not enough monitors, I could really use three on my main PC. I constantly have layers and layers of cascaded windows, with the corners peeking out so I can shuffle through them. I don't know how I ever did anything on one CRT running at 1024x768.

Around 10 years ago I was running an IT department at a small hospital and the standard workstation was an HP thin client with one 4:3, 19" monitor. Right about that time we were starting to upgrade managers and key staff to a dual setup. Seems like an eternity ago.

How do you guys do that? All the windows? I have one 27" monitor, and usually around  5 - 7 windows/tabs open. I tried 2 monitors but the way my desk is set up they'd have to be at around 75 degrees to each other and the monitor stand/holder just toppled over (onto me) all the time. I must be old skool.

Thanks Flint! It wasn't so much the physical set up (just not possible in my tiny office), as the mental one that amazes me!

@glatt-- it's a whole separate computer. Ostensibly the purpose of the second computer is to run "test environment" clients, but it sort of morphed into a 2nd computer I can multi-task additional work on.

My primary computer is a Dell laptop that runs everything (power/displays/peripherals) through a single USB-C cable to a docking station with two HDMI outputs. And I use wireless network, I can pick it up and go mobile by unplugging one cable. Although I did prefer the old physical ka-CHUNK docking stations.
 

Last edited by Flint (2/18/2022 1:29 pm)

The monitor arms attach with the standard 4-hole pattern of any monitor stand, btw.
But yeah, I've many times put my laptop on a big stack of books or something, lol.
 

glatt wrote:

How do you connect a 3rd monitor?  My PC has a HDMI port that I use for one, and a PCI (I think that's what it's called, or maybe VGA) that I use for the other one.  Is there some sort of splitter to add a 3rd?  And does the PC recognize that 3rd monitor?

I have a 24" HP monitor that uses a usb to the PC.

bbro, it you scatter your weights around the house so they're always in the way, you'll get a good workout every day. LoL
 

I've decided I need something for my home office that apparently does not exist: a ridiculously wide office chair with closed arms (i.e., not those rounded sticks that most office chairs have) so that my dogs can sit next to me while I type. I have a big armchair (27" across on the seating area) that I used to sit in with my laptop on my lap, but it's always been very squishy and slumpy and my back can't take it anymore. So now I'm upright at a desk, which is better for my back, but the dogs don't get to snuggle with me for hours every day and they're all needy and paw at me endlessly and refuse to get used to the new regimen.

I've looked at countless "big and tall" office chairs, but they're all the modern style with open arms (meaning the dogs would fall out), and they've all got like a 23" max seating space anyway. I've also found tons of super wide chairs, but they're low decorative chairs, the wrong height for a desk. What I want is one of those classic leather executive office chairs (except preferably not made of leather) that is still rolly, and swively, and adjustable height, and super, super wide.

Maybe what I really need to find is the biggest, sturdiest roller base in existence, then attach it to the bottom of the chair of my choosing