|
Whether
you are self-employed, a telecommuter or just need a place
to pay bills, several questions should be answered and
routines established when setting up a home office.
Find
the Best Available Workspace
Do you need isolation and privacy or do you work best
surrounded by lots of activity? Do you crave natural light
(a window in the room) or will artificial light do just
as well? Do you need an outside entrance for clients?
Is remodeling necessary and within your budget? By answering
these and other questions, you can find the space in your
home that best suits your needs. When you have your “office”
picked out, make sure the decision is embraced by the
entire family.
Decide
What Goes Where
Planning the office layout is next, beginning with the
placement of the desk or work surface. In my experience,
few practices are more disempowering or unnerving than
working with your back facing the entrance to your office.
Unable to see visitors enter, you subconsciously feel
uneasy and have difficulty concentrating. Make sure you
have at least a peripheral view of all comings and goings.
For
efficient handling of daily projects, my favorite configurations
are the L-shaped and the parallel desk layouts. The L-shaped
uses two surfaces — a primary one, such as a desk, and
a secondary surface at a ninety degree angle to the left
or right of the first. Depending on how you plan to use
that surface, it might make a difference whether you are
left or right handed. In the parallel layout the main
work station is parallel to and in front of a storage
unit (credenza or lateral file cabinet). I discourage
clients from angling their desks. Angling makes it almost
impossible to link two work surfaces and creates sharp
corners that impede movement and traffic flow.
Invest
in a chair that suits you — right height, right depth,
right feel. Place guest chairs in front or to the side
of the desk and don’t make them too comfortable lest your
guests overstay their welcome.
Include
Ample Storage and Lighting
Storage units are the next consideration. Figure out how
much storage space you need and what form it will take.
Bookcases can house reference materials and stackable
office supplies. A closet can be used for storing additional
office supplies and files. Add shelving to available wall
space for filing units or other essentials. Place items
where they are needed. Remember to keep decorative items
out of your immediate workspace.
When
it comes to lighting, eyestrain makes for brain strain,
which makes for less productive use of your time. A desk
lamp is essential. Overhead lighting will make you weary.
Place the lamp so that it doesn’t cause reflective glare
or cast shadows on your work area. Share the light with
a plant for added ambiance and warmth.
Don’t
Share Your Business Phone
If you spend a great deal of time on the phone, install
a separate line. You'll feel and project a more professional
image. Invest in a phone with mute and hold buttons. Concentration
and communication are almost
impossible when you and your caller must pretend that
background noise isn't driving you crazy.
Placement
of the phone is important, too. To your right if you’re
right-handed; to the left if you’re a southpaw. You don’t
want the phone cord draping across your body. It doesn’t
take a sleuth to detect a home message machine. For a
more professional
(there’s that word again) feel, I recommend subscribing
to a voice messaging service through your local phone
company.
Guard
Productivity
Self-employed people are the most productive in our
economy. According to Paul and Sarah Edwards (Working
From Home, J.P. Tarcher, 1999), research indicates that
productivity rises 15 to 25 percent when work is done
at home versus the office - tell THAT to your boss. There
are dangers, however, particularly to time management.
Watch out for self-interruptions. The lack of structure
and convenience of household amenities, such as the refrigerator,
make distractions likely. The more self-disciplined you
are, the more productive you will be.
Set
Realistic Office Hours
Start with a family conference. Nine to five doesn’t work
for everyone. Once you’ve decided on realistic, mutually
agreeable hours, address household management systems.
Have another meeting to assign chores and maybe even barter
with friends to run household errands. Once these systems
are in place, protect them from invaders. Acquaint friends
and family with your work schedule. As I’ve said before,
only you can protect your time — no one else will.
If
you are telecommuting, set up workable systems with your
boss — clear deadlines, meeting times, and office hours
at both sites. Communication with the
corporate office must be clear and timely — daily
if need be. Continue to develop and prioritize your master
and daily to-do lists and carefully schedule your time.
(See my article, “Are You Ready for a Change?”) Clear
off your desk before leaving the home office each day
— you’ll enjoy yourself more in the evening.
A
well-planned, well-organized home office offers the best
of all worlds — convenience, comfort and
that professional
image you’ve been seeking. So stay home and go to
work!
Sally
Allen, Professional Organizer
A Place for Everything, LLC www.aplaceforeverythingllc.com
"Organizing for Stress Free Living" at 303-526-5357
See
WomensMedia's
Latest Articles.
|
Get
Organized!