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You Are Here: Home - Newsletters - "Get Organized" - Article
Whether you are self-employed, a telecommuter or just need a place to pay bills, there are several questions to ask and ROUTINES to set up when managing a home office.
YOUR SPACE
Your WORKSPACE is a crucial part of your home office. Decide first, do you need isolation or a high level of privacy, do you want a window in the room, do you want natural or artificial light. Find the space in your house that suits your NEEDS best. Just make sure this is a decision that is embraced by the entire family!
SETTING UP YOUR WORK AREA
Planning the office LAYOUT is next. Where will the desk be placed? There is little more disempowering or unnerving feeling than working at a desk with your back facing the entrance to your workspace. Without seeing your visitor enter, you subconsciously feel uneasy and not fully able to concentrate. There are several desk layouts, but my favorite, for most efficient handling of daily projects, are the L-SHAPED and the PARALLEL layout. The L-shape uses two surfaces -- a primary one such as a desk and another one off to the left or right (might make a difference to you if you are right or left handed). The parallel places the main work station, parallel to and in front of a storage unit (credenza or lateral file cabinet). Angling your desk is not a good idea. It makes it almost impossible to create two work surfaces and creates sharp angles that don't flow smoothly.
SEATING
Your CHAIR should be suited to you -- right height, right depth, right feel. Keep GUEST chairs in front or to the side of your desk. Do not make them too comfortable -- the guest might stay too long!
A PLACE TO PUT THINGS
The next consideration is the STORAGE unit; how many do you need and what shape do they take? Do you need bookcases? Can you use your closet for storing supplies or files, etc.? Do you have wall space for shelving or file folders? Place items where they are needed. Remember to keep DECORATIVE¨ items out of your immediate workspace.
THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE
EYESTRAIN makes for brain strain, which makes for less productive use of your time. Select the right amount, the right direction, and the right kind of LIGHTING. A desk lamp is essential. Overhead lighting will make you weary. A plant will give warmth to your office.
THE PHONE
This is the first contact with your clients. If you spend a great deal of time on the phone it is important that you have a SEPARATE phone line. It feels more professional. A phone with a mute button and hold button also feels more professional. It is almost impossible to truly concentrate if you and your caller have to pretend that the background noise is not there. PLACEMENT of the phone is important also. Are you right handed or left handed? You don't want the phone chord draping across your body. Last but not least is your voice mail. A home message machine is obvious to the caller. I would suggest that for a more professional (there's that word again) feel that you use a voice messaging SERVICE through your local phone company.
A TWO-EDGED SWORD
According to Paul and Sarah Edwards, in their book, "Working From Home", research indicates that PRODUCTIVITY rises 15-25% when work is done at home versus the office -- tell that to your boss. That might explain why self-employed people are the most productive in the economy. There are DANGERS, however.
YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY
Watch out for self-interruptions. The lack of STRUCTURE and the convenience of household items such as the refrigerator make distractions likely. The more self-disciplined you are, the more productive you will be.
OFFICE HOURS
A family conference is essential to start this system. 9-5:00 may not work for everyone. Once you have decided upon mutually agreeable hours, then address household management SYSTEMS. Have another meeting to assign chores and maybe even barter with friends to run errands for the household. Once these systems are in place, you must protect them from invaders. Acquaint your friends and family with your work schedule. As I have said before -- only you can PROTECT your time -- no one else will.
DEALING WITH YOUR EMPLOYER
If you are TELECOMMUTING, it is also important to set up workable systems with your BOSS -- setting clear deadlines, meeting times, office hours both at home and at the corporate office. Don't forget to continue to set up your master/daily list of priorities and things to do. Schedule your time and those of others if necessary.
A FINAL WORD
Remember to organize and clear off your desk before you LEAVE your office each day, and you will enjoy yourself more in the evening. Your home office can provide the BEST of both worlds for you and give you that professional image you've been seeking.
Sally Allen, a certified professional organizer, is CEO and owner of A Place For Everything. Since founding her company in 1997, Sally continues to help individuals and companies around the country effectively arrange space and efficiently manage time. Would you like to reprint this article in your publication -- or distribute it to a wider audience? Click here for reprinting instructions. Want to receive these kind of articles via e-mail each month? Sign up for a free newsletter subscription. Click here to return to "Get Organized" -- May 2006... Add this page to your Bookmarks!
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