One of the great privileges of direct selling profession is
being able to work from home. But with the freedom of your
career, also come the challenges. The sink is full of dishes,
your son left his crayons /on your desk, and the laundry is
piled up in the corner. A well designed home office help you
transition from the role of domestic goddess to high power
entrepreneurial executive. Just like Clark Kent changes in
the phone booth to become Superman, as you enter your office
space, you turn into queen of your home business empire. Instantly
your mind shifts from the laundry list of household chores,
to strategies for earning that big check next month and enjoying
a hard earned Hawaiian vacation.
But how can you plan the perfect workspace; one that keeps
you organized, inspires you, and boosts your productivity?
Here with some rules of thumb to follow when designing your
home office space.
Plan a space that meets your needs.
Space. Imagine your dream space. You have the freedom
to create the space of your dreams Where is it? What items
do you need to have in it? Some questions to ask yourself
are: what equipment you’ll need, what things you’ll
have to store, and how much privacy you’ll need. Do
you need to stay close so you can keep an eye on the kids?
Do you need a meeting space? Will you have customers or
other consultants stopping by?
Location. Choose a space in your home that best
supports those needs. Whether it’s a space bedroom,
a corner of the living room, a large closet, an attic or
a converted garage; find a room that that has enough space
for the equipment and furniture you need.
Storage. While not every direct seller needs to
keep inventory on hand, those that do know that having an
organized space to store product is critical. Make sure
that space you choose has ample room for shelving and storage.
Think about the items you handle on a day to day basis in
your business. Now make a list of the items. Do you need
a bookshelf or wall holders for catalogs and brochures? With the proper space
and containers too keep your office tidy and you’ll
have a clutter free, organized work space.
Furniture. Next it’s time to outfit your work
space with a desk, bookcase, and filing cabinets. Today
with the boom in home based careers, there is such a variety
of office furniture to choose from. Whether it’s a
simple desk, an office armoire, or a complete L-shaped unit,
make sure you’ll have the desktop space you need to
keep key items at your fingertips. Dare to splurge a little on getting yourself a comfortable and ergonomically
supportive chair. It’s a back-saving and worthwhile
investment.
Equipment. Plan a spot to put your computer, phone,
and fax. Buying an all-in-one printer/scanner/fax machines
is a smart choice that saves you desktop space and money!
Put it together it a way that makes sense.
Placement. Decide What Goes Where. Place key equipment
in a way to flows with the way that you work.
Organization. One great way to stay organized is
to create centers for the tasks you frequently perform.
For instance you might want to put all your brochures, order
forms, and catalogs together in one place. Other “centers”
may include a mailing center, a faxing center, and a printing
center. Boxes and bins are great for keeping smaller office
supplies organized.
Ergonomics. Place your keyboard, lighting, and
monitor at proper heights. By being good to your body, you
can function at peak performance without tiring as quickly
or getting injured from incorrect positioning.
Create an inspiring atmosphere you’ll love.
Personalize. Now’s the chance you have been
waiting for to create the office of your dreams. Make your
office a space that truly inspires you. Little things make
such a difference. Choose a paint color that brings you
joy. Pamper yourself with treasured photos, candles, and
artwork on the wall. Add a touch of romance and a dash of
color with a potted plant or vase with flowers on your desk. Finally, having inspirational quotes,
a dream map, and visual reminders of your goals can be powerful
tools to keep you motivated and on the track to success.
Clean and tidy. There’s nothing like starting
the day with a clean desk. Try to get in the routine of
either cleaning your desk at the end of the day, or doing
a 5 minute tidy first thing in the morning. By having a
place for everything and everything in its place, it’s
easy to stay organized and be more efficient.
Lighting. Don’t skimp on lighting. In addition
to creating ambiance in the room, proper lighting keeps
you from straining your eyes. In addition to having enough
overhead lighting, you’ll also want task lighting.
Today there’s a wonderful selection of stylish and
functional lamps to choose from.
Start your Dream Office Today!
What are you waiting for? Get a jumpstart on your home office
now by taking the following actions in the next 48 hours.
Walk around your home and visualize your office. What
space feels good and inspiring to you? Where can you see
yourself spending a lot of time and loving it? Choose the
perfect space and clear it out.
Flip through catalogs and magazines. Clip pictures of
furniture, décor, and items you’d like to include
in your dream office. By getting crystal clear on the intricate
details of your perfect workspace, it makes it easier to
spot those items as you come across them.
Shop around and look for smart buys. Scan the newspapers,
store fliers, and online office store coupons for sales
and special offers.
Kristie Tamsevicius, is the author of "I Love
My Life: A Mom's Guide to Working from Home"! Thousands
of aspiring entrepreneurs have used her step-by-step home
business system to earn money working from home. Get a free
ecourse Home Business Success Secrets at http://www.webmomz.com/ilovemylife1.htm
