How to be More Efficient in Your Home Office

Do you work from home? Do you often work in 3-4 different locations including the kitchen, the bedroom, the family room and the so-called home office? While this might make sense in the moment (or provide a change of scenery) it leads to inefficiency which costs YOU time and money.

Improve efficiency by picking one location in your home where you most thrive and have the ability to focus. Create an environment that you love to be in and can designate solely to the success of your business. Not sure which space that is? Try answering the below questions.

First things first….

1. Which location in your home do you do your best work?

2. Where do you keep your most important work?

3. Where are you most comfortable?

4. Where are you inspired? Which room do you gravitate toward?

5. Where are you faced with the least distractions?

Things to consider:

1. Is this a busy area of your home? Are other people likely to disrupt thespace or put things where they are not supposed to be?

2. Do you need a lot of table space when you work?

3. Do you do personal things in this space like pay bills? Would you like to separate out the two spaces completely?

4. Do you need to bring clients into the space?

5. Does anyone else need to use the space?

6. Does this space need to serve any other purpose?

7. Do you have enough outlets?

Think about how you operate…

1. What are the necessities for the space? What do you need to fully operate? Printer? Fax? Filing? Home phone? Does the room provide enough space to house these things?

2. Do you have a laptop or PC? Do you have a lot of cords?

3. Do you use an electronic or written calendar?

Think about the cosmetics of the room…

1. Where is the best lighting? Do you prefer natural light? Windows?

2. Is the room a good temperature? Does it have good ventilation?

3. Are you a visual person? Are you an ‘out of sight, out of mind kind of person’? Do you like to put reminders on cork boards? Is there a place to hang one?

4. Is there an option to use vertical space?

After picking the final destination ask yourself the following…

1. Does the space provide enough room?

2. What potential obstacles do you see for this space? Distractions? Bad circulation? Hate the paint color?

3. By creating one work space has anything been compromised? Should we add asecond tape dispenser? Or keep the wrapping paper station nearby?

4. Do you notice any potential distractions?

5. Does the space provide enough outlets?

6. Will the current furniture fit?

7. Is the current furniture functional? Does it serve the purpose you need itto?

Before making the final move ask yourself….

1. How can you set yourself up so there is a place for everything andeverything will easily go in its place?

2. How can you encourage clear counter space? Clear counters make you feel likeyou’re in control.

3. Are the things arranged on your desk arranged in such a way that it isefficient?

4. Is it a separate space so you can qualify for a tax deduction?

Loose ends….

1. Do you work out of your car? Do you need something to bring to and fro? Does any part of the workspace need to be portable?

2. What kind of backup system do you use for her computer?

3. Is your filing system in order?

Reminders…

1. Tidiness improves productivity!

2. Anything you use should be within arms reach. Everything else should be sorted and stored. NO CLUTTER. Clutter equals chaos and distraction.

3. Avoid creating piles. Piles are simply decisions that have not yet been made.

Once you determine the right space for you and your business get your family on board. Make sure you aren’t overlooking any hidden uses for the space. The last thing you want is to move everything into the den only to find out your son is growing a science experiment in there.

Communicate! Designate a space, communicate your plans to the family and then execute! If you need any guidance along the way please feel free to reach out.

Best, Patricia G. Masi

www.PristineLivingbyPatricia.com

202-903-1470