One of the many benefits of working from home is that you control your work space. Some needs are universal and many other are personal. Let’s look for to those issues that just make good business sense.
Organization:
Everything Needs its Own Home: Keep your office clean and well organized. Everything has a place and things are located into groups. Depending on how big a space you will define as your office (and make sure that space is OFFICE only for tax purposes) will somewhat dictate how you set up.
I like a good file cabinet with several drawers, hanging folders labeled clearly and according to groups that make sense. Whenever I find I’ve not put things where they belong I can hear the ‘clink clink’ of the cash machine putting money down a rat hole while I struggle to find the needed file or note or whatever. That is lost time which means lost money.
We also put up a shelf with small bins labeled for example: scissors, labels, tape, possums, pens and markers, etc. Everything in easy reach.
FILE don’t Pile: Try as best to handle all paper work ONE time or the piles can tend to grow and breed in the night to snarling distracting messes in the morning. This leads to more stress and less productivity.
Make the System Fit Your Style: I like lots of color, some folks don’t. Do you do best with things alphabetically or by categories? Decide what you want within easy reach and what can be up on a bookshelf or wall shelf, file cabinet, etc. I wouldn’t give up my rolling chair for a pony! Everything I need is normally within reach which minimizes my getting up and down. Phone system, computor and most common files use with excellent lighting are a must for me.
Organization is an ongoing organic process: As your business develops so will your understanding of your needs. Functionality will be your ongoing priority. So don’t get stuck in yesterdays needs. Be flexible to grow and change what you need.
Chart Your Office: Think of your style, needs, equipment needed, paper management, lighting. Draw it out and then go purchase what you need to set it up. You can set up an office with small bins, stacking bins, file cabinets, worktables, book shelves, etc. without a huge expense. This is especially true when you consider the loss of time and money when you are not organized.
If you feel you at all need help in this area I believe some of the best spent money I ever did was to hire an office organizer who got me on the right track. Even now and then I bring her back in when I’ve fallen of the wagon. She has been and still is when needed, worth her weight in GOLD!
Office Motto: Everything has a place and everything GOES to its place. Handle things once whenever possible.
