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Setting up a home office is one of the most important tasks you will face
when you make the decision to work from your own home. Your home office can be a
corner of your kitchen or living room or, if space permits, a former spare
bedroom.
Size is less important that functionality. When deciding on where to set up the
nerve center of your business, there are some factors you need to consider.
Is the area well lit?
Proper lighting is extremely important. Spending hours at a time in a dimly lit
work space can create eyestrain which, after long periods of time, could lead to
more serious problems with your vision.
Are there plenty of electrical outlets?
Take into consideration what appliances you will have in your work space. Your
computer system will require an outlet for your cpu, monitor, scanner, printer,
speakers (sometimes) and other ancillary equipment you may have.
Is the area well ventilated and dust free?
All of that computer equipment needs to "breath" to remain cool and functioning
properly. If you have ever "fried" a computer you know how important it is to
keep the fan clean and dust free.
Do you have telephone access?
In addition to having a telephone handy for business purposes, you will also
require telephone access for your modem. You may also consider a separate
telephone line for your business. It is much easier to track telephone business
expenses for tax purposes if you have a separate phone line. It's also important
that your clients can reach you. If your clients have to compete with your
teenagers telephone habits, chances are they will call someone else. Make
certain that this separate line is set up to receive phone calls while you are
online. Most major telephone companies now offer that service. You may pay a few
extra dollars a month for it, but it will pay for itself over the long haul.
How much 'foot traffic" is there liable to be?
Set up your office to be as isolated as possible. Can you imagine trying to
speak with a client or figure out html code with kids screaming in the
background? Not a very professional picture. If you have no choice but to have
your office in a high traffic area, adjust your work schedule to coincide with
family activities. Sit your family down and explain the importance of your work
and why you need their cooperation. It won't always work out that way but at
least it's a step in the right direction.
It goes without saying that you need to have normal office supplies. Even if
your work is online you still need the pens, pencils, note pads and so on.
One of the stickiest challenges you may encounter comes from your friends.
People who do not work from home seem to think that if you do, you have all the
time in the world to visit. This can become a major problem if you do not set
the parameters. Setting out the ground rules is important to the overall health
and well being of your business. Let your friends and extended family know your
business hours and explain to them that you are not available during those
periods of time. The sooner you do this the better.
Conduct your business in a professional manner. Just because you work at home
does not mean that you should throw out the rule book. Maybe you have read the
humorous comment about "working in your pajamas. It sounds good in sales
messages, but the truth is you are much better off if you awaken in the morning
and prepare yourself for your work day as if you were still trekking off to the
office, because you are.
You will be much better prepared to focus and get down to business if you dress
the part. That doesn't mean that you need to squeeze into the normal "office"
attire. It does mean that you set the standards for your business and much of
that has to do with "mindset" and self-image. Dressing comfortably is a one of
the serendipities of working at home, but you will be much better prepared for
business if you dress the part.
I have one final word of advice for the new work at home entrepreneur. Having
your office right down the hall can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse.
Remember to take time out for yourself. Most people believe that working at home
comes with certain privileges, and it does. However, it can also become
all-consuming and take total control of your life.
Don't allow that to happen. Create your schedule and live by it. Make sure you
turn off the lights, shut down the computer and "go home" at the end of your
work day.
About the Author
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