When you work at home, it can be tempting to postpone activities that would result in income until you have a perfect office set up. Don’t postpone earning money from home but do set up a simple, functional office for your work.
Office Space
Everyone needs a physical location to serve as the “command center” of business action. The basic requirements for a work space are a flat surface for writing and room for an in-tray. If you don’t have a dedicated (not used for anything else) and functional workspace with an in-tray, get one now.
To get started in your new home business you will need two kinds of “office”: your functional work space at home and a portable system that you can take with you. In time, your work space will probably expand to include a phone, a computer, stacking trays, working file drawers, book shelves for reference books and media. Some will also need a fax, a printer, a VCR/DVD player and/or multi-media conferencing equipment. For people who travel, a laptop computer will seem like a necessity.
The Simplest Start
You can start to build your business with the simplest work spaces: an old door on top of two, 2-drawer filing cabinets (one at each end) with three stacking trays on it, a legal pad and a pen and access to your phone. You could start with one end of your kitchen or dining table and a plastic filing box, a phone and a pad of paper and a pen. You will need a satchel or a backpack or some other way to “take the show on the road” carrying a few folders and your Productivity Tools.
Your 21st Century Home Office
In this day and age, if you want your home based business to be a modern business with communication by email and marketing and ordering online, you will need to take stock of your office set up and plan to update your equipment and skills as needed. It is possible to conduct business from a distance which makes your business “portable” e.g. you don’t have to be in your home office to take care of business. You are free to travel and to work any hours of the day (or night) that suit you. However, don’t let anyone convince you that you’ll be able to do this without up-to-date technology. Begin to plan for the gradual building of your truly modern and convenient office and communications systems and skills.
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