Chances are if you are reading this post, you either work from home or are contemplating working from home. While one of the benefits of working for yourself as an Internet Marketer is having the freedom and flexibility of working from whatever location you want (think Maui, the Bahamas, your own private island in the Mediterranean, a log cabin in the mountains…), the chances are very good that you will need to set up your own home office at some point. After all, there will be times when you will be need to take a break from all those adventures your lifestyle now affords you! 🙂
So how do you go about setting up your home office? I think the biggest mistake people make is thinking they HAVE to have a separate space in order for it to be officially a “home office.” And they let this stop them from creating a space in their home that serves the purpose of being where they work.
Things could not be further from the truth. The key to creating a home office that works for you is to think about what makes you feel good and then build around that feeling. Whether you have the luxury of an extra room you can make your own or not, the point is to set up a space that tells you and others when entered, “This is where I work.”
Indeed, it is critical to let people know that whatever space is your home office, it is just that: your space. The second biggest mistake too many people make when creating a home office is not establishing boundaries. When you are in it, there is a proverbial “Open for Business” sign hanging outside it. (I even know people who use signs like this. It makes them feel professional.) It is not the kids playroom, or a place to just hang out. It is where you work and earn money, and needs to be treated as such.
You will discover that if you make an effort to declare a space in your home that is nothing but your home office, you will be more productive, creative, and less distracted in the long run.
In my next post, I will share with you some important tips related to decorating your home office for maximum productivity…
