You are setting up your own business. To save on office rental costs, you have decided to work from home. Review the practical tips below and determine whether you are prepared to work from home.
Set up your workstation in a part of the house that has lots of light and air. Choose a spot that is away from the busy areas of your house. Do not set up near the kitchen or front door where your family members come and go. It will be very distracting for you and difficult for your kids too.
Create a mindset of professionalism by playing the part of an office worker. This means dressing up appropriately and separating yourself from distractions such as the noisy TV or your tempting couch.
Organize your supplies just like you are in a corporate setting. Maintain neatness and efficiency by keeping supplies in a nearby cupboard and keeping within reach those supplies that you are most often used.
Separate business from personal matters. If you have a busy phone line for family use, get a separate phone line for your business. The same thing applies for other tools such as internet connection, fax machines, printers and scanners.
Have a dedicated area and separate your own equipment from the rest of your household. Create a visual separation by putting a stylish barrier to separate your home office from the rest of the home area. This will improve your productivity and even help you trace your costs.
Get the right tools and services. Aside from the must-have equipment such as computer with Internet connection, other entrepreneurs also need a fax machine, extra monitors, multiple phone lines, scanners and such. All of these depend on nature of communication you have with your clients and suppliers. No matter what kind of tools and services you will have, make sure that you have a back up plan in case something goes wrong.
Most people think that working from home is exciting and easy. After all, you are in an environment where you are most at ease. In actuality, working from home can be very stressful. You need to stay committed to your tasks at hand, despite the very tempting urge to lie down on your sofa or enjoy that cup of coffee with the newspaper in your hand. Most importantly, you must have the self-discipline if you are to work from home.
Image: CartoonStock