Creating A Space For Your Home Business
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, d