7 home office essentials
More and more people find themselves working from home and this trend is likely to expand exponentially over the next twenty years. The days of cubicle filled offices lit by fluorescent lighting are numbered – at least to some degree. Working from home can be a joy but it’s important to create an environment that helps you stay focused and achieve your daily goals.
Here are seven home office essentials to make working from home a success:
1. Designated Work Space: Ideally you should have a designated room with a door you can close to the world outside. Realistically, this isn’t always possible. If your work from home situation requires you to set up shop in a common room it is essential to establish a static base of operations. This means that all of your work related files, paperwork and other needs are kept in the same place for easy access. A corner in the basement, a couple of shelves in a closet or even decorative boxes on an in-full-view bookcase can do the trick. It’s best to keep these things as close to your work area as you can but the most important thing is that everything be together in one place. Running willy nilly all over the house to find something you need will adversely affect your work flow and affect your enthusiasm for the job.
2. Cleanliness: This one isn’t going to seem immediately essential but believe me, it is. You want to create an environment which fosters a positive outlook and keeping your work space – and home in general – tidy and looking great will go a long way to that end. Letting the housework get out of hand will make staying focused on your work more difficult. Be sure to dedicate a portion your non-work hours toward maintaining a tidy house so that when you sit down to work you’re not feeling like there are a thousand other jobs you could/should be doing. Other chores such as banking and yard maintenance should also get appropriate attention during personal time so that they don’t become a possible distraction during your work day.
3. Designated Work Hours: This is of paramount importance for a successful work at home career. People who work in a traditional office environment are more easily able to leave work at the office, whereas working from can feel like the work day never ends. Assume the attitude that you will work only during specified hours and stick to it. There will likely be occasions when you’ll have to break that rule but it’s essential to adhere to it most of the time. People who feel like they never get away from work are far more likely to burn out.
4. The Right Equipment for the Job: Earning your living from home deserves as much, or more, respect as a traditional job. Don’t scrimp on the tools of your trade. Using shoddy equipment won’t benefit you in the long run. Get the best you can afford and upgrade as you go along.
5. Call Display: People think that work from home is the same as ‘hey, he’s at home all day, let’s give him a call!’ Avoid unnecessary interruptions by warning people that you will only be answering work-related calls during your designated work hours.
6. A Good Work Ethic: Let’s be honest, not everyone is cut out to work from home. Many people have tried it and found they just didn’t have the necessary level of discipline and quickly returned to the workforce. It does indeed take a great deal more maturity and dedication to do the work when you could just as well fold the laundry, watch Oprah or surf the internet. It is possible to develop a good work ethic even if you come into your work from home experience a little weak in that area. It’s important to go into it knowing yourself well enough and understanding that you’re going to have to be diligent to establish good habits.
7. Prettiness: This isn’t so much essential as it is a lovely bonus. If money and environment allow, it’s wonderful to have a great looking work space. It’s easier to work in an environment you enjoy and feel proud of. There are many design options for home offices at varying price points. Do as much as you can to make your work space a pleasant place to spend most of your day.
Working from home can be a liberating and inspiring experience. Incorporating these tips into your work day will help ensure home office success.
