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| Organizing solutions for your work, home and life! |
| Copyright © 2006-2007 Organized Visions. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy |
| Avoiding Home Office Pitfalls |
Many of us open up our own business for a variety of reasons. The lure of working for
ourselves out of a home office, setting our own schedules and being near our families…it’s a
strong one.
There’s a lot of upside when you work from a home office, but if you’re not careful, there are
potential pitfalls around the corner.
The flexibility of working form home is a plus and a minus. The lack of a structure that often
comes from working for others can get you in trouble. Failing to establish basic routines and
systems to keep your business flowing smoothly is like building a house with no foundation.
The Importance of Routines
Being so close to your personal life can lead to blurred lines. It’s easy if you’re not disciplined
in how you conduct business from home. What do I mean? Here’s a scenario that outlines how
quickly you can lose track of what’s business and what’s personal.
Designate a Space
When you work from home, it’s vital to have a designated space that you call your office—
even if it’s only a desk in the corner next to a filing cabinet. Your files and office related
information need a home of their own to avoid misplacing your items.
Establish a Filing System
Once you have a basic office set up, turn to your filing system. Most of us think about things in
categories or groups, so consider a Category filing system such as: Administrative (supplies,
forms, etc.) Accounting, Clients, Resources and Vendors. Replicate your Category system for
your paper and electronic files, including your email.
Use Color
Use Labels
Create Routines
So your office and your filing system are set up. Now it’s important to establish routines that
will keep things running smoothly.
Schedule Administrative Time
you money. Setting aside a scheduled block of time for key administrative tasks like
something that’s not billable. Yet it is the un-billable or administrative time that can save these
important tasks.
customer targets should be the backbone of your business. Block time each week for
these important tasks.
Use Your Peak Time
Keep Office Hours
Getting your home office set up and being disciplined about it will give you a productive,
environment to perform in and let you maximize your time…and when you’re your own boss-
time is money!
If you’d like more ideas on setting up your office read our article
Is Your Home Office Working for You? As always, feel free to contact us
for ideas or help at nchamblin@organizedvisions.com
ourselves out of a home office, setting our own schedules and being near our families…it’s a
strong one.
There’s a lot of upside when you work from a home office, but if you’re not careful, there are
potential pitfalls around the corner.
The flexibility of working form home is a plus and a minus. The lack of a structure that often
comes from working for others can get you in trouble. Failing to establish basic routines and
systems to keep your business flowing smoothly is like building a house with no foundation.
The Importance of Routines
Being so close to your personal life can lead to blurred lines. It’s easy if you’re not disciplined
in how you conduct business from home. What do I mean? Here’s a scenario that outlines how
quickly you can lose track of what’s business and what’s personal.
Designate a Space
When you work from home, it’s vital to have a designated space that you call your office—
even if it’s only a desk in the corner next to a filing cabinet. Your files and office related
information need a home of their own to avoid misplacing your items.
Establish a Filing System
Once you have a basic office set up, turn to your filing system. Most of us think about things in
categories or groups, so consider a Category filing system such as: Administrative (supplies,
forms, etc.) Accounting, Clients, Resources and Vendors. Replicate your Category system for
your paper and electronic files, including your email.
Use Color
- A color coded system for your paper files and time appointments can make it easier to
keep things together. In my system, Red is for Client related work. Make sure you
choose colors that are easy to find. Don’t pick seasonal colors that won’t be offered
again. You want to be consistent with your system.
Use Labels
- Start as you mean to go. You can print your labels using on line templates or invest in a
label machine. Either way, again, consistency and neatness count.
Create Routines
So your office and your filing system are set up. Now it’s important to establish routines that
will keep things running smoothly.
Schedule Administrative Time
you money. Setting aside a scheduled block of time for key administrative tasks like
something that’s not billable. Yet it is the un-billable or administrative time that can save these
important tasks.
customer targets should be the backbone of your business. Block time each week for
these important tasks.
Use Your Peak Time
- Some of us are night owls, while others get their best work done in the pre-dawn hours.
Whatever your peak time, use it for your priority projects. Identify a 2-3 hour time
frame when you can really focus on getting your work done.
Keep Office Hours
- When you’re working at home, it’s easy for family and friends to assume you have a lot
of time on your hands and are available to run their errands. Set your business hours as
best you can and enforce them. - Each day, schedule your office time. Let family and friends know when its okay—and
when it’s not, for them to interrupt. If necessary, put a sign on the door “Work in
Progress” so they know it’s not a good time to disturb you.
Getting your home office set up and being disciplined about it will give you a productive,
environment to perform in and let you maximize your time…and when you’re your own boss-
time is money!
If you’d like more ideas on setting up your office read our article
Is Your Home Office Working for You? As always, feel free to contact us
for ideas or help at nchamblin@organizedvisions.com
| Where do you start? |