For many home business owners, running a business at home can create the problem of being distracted by every little thing. The telephone, television, kids, visiting neighbors, and even pets become a distraction when the home office isn’t set up properly because it is still integrated into the other parts of the home. A proper home office should allow you to have a space in which you can focus on your work, and where you are not even tempted to become distracted by other aspects of life. Investing in creating a proper home office will increase the way that you value your business, and in turn you will see an increase in productivity and profits.
The primary goal to a home office is to separate the space from other parts of the home. If you do not have an extra room to devote to your home office, you can create a separate space with screens or curtains. Visually blocking off the space asserts the difference between living area and working area to both yourself and others.
It is also key to have a separate phone line. It’s virtually impossible to get any work done if the phone is ringing every ten minutes because the kids’ dentist is calling, or your aunt wants to chat for half an hour. Make sure that you distribute your business phone number to clients, employees and employers only.
Make sure that there is adequate lighting for reading and doing paperwork. Also make sure that you have your career goals posted in sight – these will remind you to get back to work when your mind starts straying. Remember, you will only benefit from the amount of work that you actually get done!
Also, post your daily schedule somewhere that you will see it. This schedule should map out the way that you will divide your time between family, leisure and work. By doing this, you will avoid taking extremely long lunch breaks, or running out the door to pick up that item you forgot to get at the grocery store when it pops into your mind.
Finally, make your space a place you want to be! By making your office inviting, you will probably enjoy your work more and find yourself gravitating toward it instead of being repelled by it. Just make sure that it’s not overly inviting – afternoon snoozes are a big no no!