Making Your Home Office Work for YOU

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If you were to ask someone about starting a business, they would likely tell you that planning and research are critical. What few people understand is that applying this same principal to your work space is equally important.

I know it sounds crazy, but think about it. There is a good reason the media is filled with stories about getting and staying organized, it really does make a difference. Few people can work at their maximum potential when surrounded by chaos. Studies have proven that color can affect your mood and performance.  With a little planning, you can have a home office that not only reflects your personal style, but enables you to make the most of your work day.  Here are a few tips:

Location is everything. Chose a location free of distraction.  For some a desk under the window inspires creativity, for others it’s one more distraction. Get to know yourself and pick a spot that works for you.

Comfort counts. I place considerable importance on décor, but even I won’t work at an uncomfortable desk. I once purchased a vintage office chair.  It looked great, but within days I was at the chiropractor getting my neck adjusted. I ended up working at the kitchen table and running back and forth to retrieve supplies from my real desk.  Make sure your desk is at a comfortable height and invest in a comfortable chair. Consider how you spend your day, if it’s in front of the computer then position the monitor directly in front of you. If you spend your days on the phone place the phone near you and invest in a head set.

Just enough. When you’re in a hurry it’s tempting to skip the list and simply run to the office superstore.  You tell yourself you’ll know it when you see it. Unfortunately that method wastes time and money, two things that every new business owner should conserve. First, consider your storage space and assign a value to that space. You may save money on a box of 500 file folders, but if you add up the cost of storing that box for the next 10 years, it suddenly doesn’t seem like such a savings. Office superstores cater to large companies who stock up on supplies: If you don’t plan to use it in the next 30-60 days, then don’t buy it.

How do you do? The most important step in managing tasks is self-awareness. Are you visual?  Buy a few bulletin boards to organize your “to do’s” visually. Label each board by urgency (today, tomorrow, whenever) or by the nature of the task (to do, to pay, to file). Do you prefer to use a computerized list? Then create 1-10 files in your drawer. When you add an item to your task list, give it a number and put the associated paper work in the corresponding folder. If your tasks involve a lot of paperwork, like a decorator for example, then use baskets. Are you a stacker? Invest in clear poly envelopes to contain paperwork associated with each task. You can stack them yet easily flip through to find the right envelope when you need it.

The facts of filing. Take some time to evaluate the type of information coming through your home office. Decide what you will need to keep or not keep, and aggressively toss anything that can be accessed online. Make a written plan for what you will file, how you will file it, and where you will file it. If you plan to store most things in your computer, then invest in a good back up system and a high speed scanner. Spend as much time setting up a filing system on your computer as you would a file drawer. If computer storage won’t work for you, then plan a paper filing system. Take the time to create a written plan, and clearly label your files. If you can’t find it when you need it, then you probably shouldn’t bother keeping it.

Working from home can save on office rent, commuting costs, and it’s better for the environment, but it can be challenging at times. Fortunately, with a little preparation, you can make your home office an enjoyable and productive place. ♦