Work at Home Mother. Free pic by dave/morguefile.com
Once you’ve made the big decision to start something by yourself, the added cost of an office or other commercial space can make all the difference to a thriving small enterprise. Working from home is an ideal solution, so here is our simple 5 point plan for getting started.
1. Find the ideal space for your home/office
The home office doesn’t have to be a separate room or a cubicle in a purpose-built office. Ideally, you want enough space to keep your office separate from the rest of your home. If you’re able to convert a spare room into an office then that’s ideal, but you can also convert a quiet nook in the living area for a cost-effective solution that works. If a spare room isn’t an option, and you want a complete change of house, searching for a place to work and live from is easier than it has ever been before, with online property searches, you can find a home which can double as office space, as most property adverts include pictures, building dimensions and nearby facilities.
2. Keep your home/office separate
Use your office during working hours, but keep it separate from personal activities as far as possible. Set yourself working hours and stick to them so that your work doesn’t encroach on your personal time, and try to avoid doing household chores and errands when you’re at home or in your office. Respect your office space to creative an effective working environment.
3. Décor tips for your workspace
One of the benefits of working from home is that you get to decide how to decorate your workspace. You want your office space to be distinct from your home space, so don’t let your home spill over into this area. At the same time, you don’t need to overdo the clinical office décor either.
Try to keep distracting decorations to an absolute minimum and don’t let paperwork and clutter build up on your desk. Make sure that your desk or work-space is well-lit with good lighting to avoid headaches and tiredness.
4. Set personal rules
Keeping the kids out of your office can be really tough when you work from home. It’s important to explain clearly to everyone in the house that your home office is your workplace. Set out your own personal rules to create an efficient home/office environment and remember to keep your work and personal life separate.
5. Maintain a routine
Set up a routine and try to stick to it, especially if you have a partner who has set working hours. That includes getting dressed in the mornings, maintaining a healthy lunch-time schedule, and taking regular short breaks.
About the author: Vanessa is a stay at home mother of two that writes about property and DIY home improvement.
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