Key Organization Systems
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Finding a Home for the Home Office
Planning your soho office to work productively

"Wouldn't it be great to work from home!"

Whether you work from home full time or simply have a space to work from occasionally, home offices have their unique set of challenges. I have dealt with many variations of home situations. A tough one was an attorney who recently had a baby and was temporarily working from her house. Placing her desk inside her clothes closet, which had louvered doors, she faced the wall. Above and on both sides of her were hanging outfits, plus piles of shoes, etc., on the floor. That one embodied all four of the following points to deal with in getting started or in reevaluating your current situation.

 

Location: Choose an area that both suits you now and provides room to expand as your business increases and diversifies.

  • Do you want to be close to where children play?

  • Will clients and customers be coming in?

  • Can you focus when you hear the television?

  • Will having office materials in your bedroom disturb your sleep?

  • Do you dislike climbing stairs to get to your workspace?

  • How much space will you need for your type of business?

 

Comfort: Do not choose something just because it is available, like a fold-up table and extra dining room chair. On the other hand, a beautiful antique piece may also be incorrect. Invest in something that will provide ergonomic relief.

  • Does your chair provide good back and arm support?

  • Do you have an adjustable keyboard tray?

  • Is there enough space around your desk area so you do not feel closed in?

  • What kind of view do you need?

  • Is the lighting adequate?

 

Storage: This can be difficult because often all available spaces within a house are already overflowing. When the office becomes crowded or messy and you are no longer comfortable there, the work may spread to the dining room or another area.

  • Does your desk have drawers for small office supplies?

  • Can some of your desk drawers support hanging file folders?

  • If not, do you have a rolling cart to use for Daily Action items?

  • Are there a sufficient number of file cabinets?

  • Is there a closet available that you can convert for office use?

 

Systems: Few people have ever been taught organizing strategies as part of their education, and so, as a business grows, they can find themselves becoming less productive and more frustrated. Do you have a Daily Action file for all of your incoming work?

  • Is your email program set up with folders and action files to clear your inbox?

  • Do you have an effective filing system?

  • Can you find anything within seconds that you file?

  • What time management tools are you using?

 

Having the opportunity to work at home limits the time involved in commuting, adds flexibility to your schedule, and may permit more family time. On the other end of the equation, it can become a trap. Take steps now to make sure it is a dream situation, not a nightmare.