I believe most folks here are like me - means been working from home before it became common place.
Mind sharing how you solved this problem?
Thanks!
I have a basic ritual of how I set it up, and it helps get into the mindset of working.
First I prepare the space for my computer by removing anything unrelated and adding keyboard, charger, mouse, LED candle, and tea/coffee cup.
Then, I ceremoniously place the computer in the middle, line up and connect the components, and boot it.
I say a prayer of intention of what I hope to accomplish and move my praying hands down towards the G and H keys to ensure that my keyboard is centered.
Then, I'm ready to work.
If anything distracts me, I go through the following mental process, which becomes easier every time as it's habituated:
1) I thank the distraction for reminding me to focus on what is important.
2) I take a slow deep breath in and then let it out slowly.
3) I return my focus to my work and my intent.
4) I rejoice that I was able to succeed once again in remaining focused and mindful on my task.
So yes, I do have a dedicated space for work: It is inside my mind's eye and my awareness, as well as the desk and chair I am sitting at/on, and where I am currently focused on the screen. :)
Where is my home office (I guess people are calling them "home labs" these days) going to be has probably always been my top concern since my first apartment and long before I started working from home. Having at least a dedicated room to set up my equipment and hack on side projects is always my top priority since that is where I'll be spending most of my free-time.*
* Granted since I work from home, I now really would like _two_ home offices so I can properly context switch between work work, and side projects. But I guess that is excessive.
Even before the pandemic I worked from home two days every week, so I was already set up for remote work.