👋 Hey Reader!
In today’s issue of WFH Dads, we’re doing a deep dive on my productive home office setup that helps make working 6-8 hours / day a breeze.
My hope is that there are at least a couple things on this list that could help you:
- streamline common activities you do in your office
- look / sound better on your Zoom calls
- track your time more closely
Just a note - you don’t need all this stuff to be productive.
I’m a social media & YouTube strategist and I’m creating a lot of content, hence all the content creation tech. Not to mention I also have a bachelors of science in sound recording technology so some of this stuff I got just because I’m an audio / video nerd.
All Amazon links below are affiliate links.
My productive home office setup as a WFH dad
Video walkthrough
I thought it’d be fun to give you a video tour so you can see how all this is set up and hear more about how I use each thing.
|
|
The average life span is 4,000 weeks.
I’m not sure how many weeks I thought an average life would be, but it was definitely more than 4,000 weeks.
Every week, I fill in one more square in this poster. I’ve also marked the weeks my kids were born and the weeks they turn 18.
This is a constant reminder that my time is limited and I should spend it on the things that matter.
|
This is the main reason I find myself preferring to work at home than in a coffee house. I’m constantly shifting between sitting and standing throughout the day to keep my energy levels up. It’s motorized and I can save my height settings in presets.
|
|
16GB of RAM. 256GB of storage (I’ve got a couple external storage units to make up for it).
I may get a Mac Studio in the coming year as I do a lot of video editing work and sometimes this slows down when working with 4k footage.
I’ve paired it with a CalDigit TS3 Plus to get more USB ports, an SD card reader, etc.
|
|
|
I’ve tried having dual monitors but found I’m most productive with one singular monitor in front of me - the second monitor was typically distraction.
It’s on a nice arm mount to create more desk space.
|
|
|
This is bluetooth which helps keep a clean look on the desk. It’s also solar powered so I don’t have to worry about charging it.
I got the version with the number pad on the right.
|
|
|
I program the buttons for common quick keys. For example, one of the middle buttons will activate a screenshot. The buttons on the side will go to the previous or next page in my browser.
I can even customize the buttons for specific applications. So in my video editing software, the buttons on the side will go to the previous or next clip.
Apologies for how disgusting this looks...you can tell I use it every day.
|
|
|
This tracks my time.
If I’m working on a video, I put the ‘creating content’ side up and it syncs with an app on my computer to monitor when I started and stopped.
Helps me see where I spent my time that week more clearly and make iterations if necessary (like if I spent way more time in email than anticipated).
You have to also pay a monthly subscription for the software that goes with it which is lame.
|
|
|
You can program these buttons to do various things on your computer.
Could be as simple as opening an app or pasting something you commonly write.
You can use it to control things like turning your camera on or off in Zoom. In my video editing program, there are some sequences of quick keys I need to do (such as shift+command+v, then enter twice) and I can program that whole sequence into one button on the Stream Deck.
As a social media strategist, I have common emojis there too.
|
My camera is behind the teleprompter. While I use this to read scripts for videos I’m making, I use it even more for Zoom calls. I put the Zoom window on the screen and then it’s like I’m making eye contact with whoever I’m talking to (instead of looking over at my computer screen).
I’ve got it on a stand that attaches to my desk.
|
|
I use this more for Zoom calls than I do YouTube videos. If you get a dummy battery that you plug into an outlet, you don’t have to worry about keeping the batteries charged.
The Sigma 16mm lens is what helps me get that blurry background look.
I’ve linked to the version without a lens since I use the Sigma lens.
If you don’t get the Sigma lens, get the ZVE-E10 that comes with a lens.
|
|
|
I plug my camera into this which is the connected to my computer via USB.
Then my computer can use my nice camera as a webcam on Zoom or when I make Loom videos.
|
|
|
Just in case my main camera is having issues, I also have this backup webcam connected to my computer.
I almost never need to use it though.
|
The big umbrella (called a softbox diffuser) is attached to the front of the Amaran and helps soften the light to make everything look a lot nicer.
While my desk is in front of a window, there isn’t a ton of natural light that comes through the window, so this fixes that. It’s on a stand that’s connected to my desk.
|
|
The MV7 sounds great and can connect to your computer with a USB cable. It’s what I use for Zoom calls or if I’m a guest on a podcast.
It’s on a Rode PSA1 mount that’s attached to my desk so I can push the mic out of the way when I’m not using it.
Gen 2 is only $30 more and I’d get that if I were buying it today.
|
|
|
This second microphone for when I want to make a video without the microphone in the shot.
It’s a shotgun microphone which is built to be able to be further away from your mouth but still get great sound
|
Both microphones are plugged into the Rodecaster. This allows me to control the volume of the microphones as well as the volume of my computer. There’s also fun sound effect pads that I use on Zoom calls (particularly the airhorns).
An added bonus is that you can add voice effects. My 4 year old likes to give herself a ‘monster voice’ while she speaks into the microphone.
There’s a smaller version called the Streamer X which is a better fit for most people.
|
|
When I really want to dial into some focused work (or just drown out the sounds of my kids playing outside my office) I put these on.
They’ve got an ‘open’ back so my ears don’t feel as tired even if they’ve been on for a long time. That also means the sound ‘leaks’ through to the room more but that’s not as big a deal since I’m usually by myself in the office.
These are also plugged into the Rodecaster.
|
|
|
They sound awesome.
No complaints.
They’ve got bluetooth connection but I just connect them directly to the Rodecaster.
|
|
|
I really love the big, bold clock that I can glance over at.
I also use it to turn certain smart devices on and off in the room. Both my camera and the big softbox light are plugged into inexpensive smart plugs and so I’m able to say HEY GOOGLE - STUDIO ON and both the light and camera turn on.
I also use it to turn the rest of the office lights on and off.
|
|
|
Most of my office lights are Philips Hue lights. I can adjust the colors (which makes my background look even more professional) and use the Google Hub to turn them on and off.
My 4 year old has recently loved coming in the office after she wakes up and asking if she can change the light colors using the app.
|
Extras | Mini keyboard & book for Audrey
|
|
Just below the desk I’ve got a bluetooth keyboard (that isn’t connected to anything) and a doodling book for when my daughter gets up super early and comes in when I’m working.
She pulls up a stool, plays with the keyboard like she’s working, and draws in the book.
In case you’re wondering, no, I don’t get much work done when she’s in here but I can typically wrap up what I’m working on before she gets bored.
|
Video walkthrough
Hope that was helpful.
Would love to hear what questions you have about the setup, particularly if you’re considering buying something from the list but want to make sure it’s the right fit for you.
Reply to this email with your questions. I read and respond to all of them.
|
|
Thom Gibson
Founder of Work-From-Home Dads
|
