Don't Go Naked to Your Office!
Since COVID hit over a year ago, people are working from home who had never considered it before. Many of those people are still sitting on the couch with their laptops - not the best “home office.”
At this point, it’s fair to say that working from home is here to stay (at least for many of us) so why not take the time to solidify or upgrade your WFH setup!
There are things you should consider and plan for carefully in order to make the jump to a home office (or a home office upgrade) a successful one. Although you may think you have your dream office firmly in mind, consider brainstorming again, coupled with writing a plan. By writing a plan, you may think of things you’ve overlooked or don’t know about creating an office that is best suited to your needs.
So, here are some tips to get you started:
What is your budget? You’ve got to be realistic about what amount of investment makes sense, depending on whether you plan to continue working from home after the pandemic ends, or simply need a better setup for the time you will be working from home.
With the budget in mind, think about what you need to succeed. Separately list your “needs” from your “wants”, in case your budget is limited. Add your “needs” first, and then create a plan to add the “wants” when you are able.
Is the room in your home you are thinking of transforming really the best room for the job? Some people think in terms of an upstairs bedroom or another room tucked away from the regular household activities, but what is best for your needs? If at some point you will be seeing clients at your home office, you may not want them traveling through your entire house to reach it. A successful home office may mean transforming your existing living room into a separate office area (by adding a glass block wall, for example) rather than using an extra bedroom. Your comfort is important. Does your office have sufficient lighting? How noisy it is going to be? If you plan on being seated a great deal of the time, invest in a chair built to give you maximum support. Is there enough storage? Do you have wall space to hang whiteboards? Is it big enough to work with a stand-up Easel?
Don’t skimp on necessary technology—computer hardware, software, data storage, and peripherals, like scanners, printers, WiFi, and Telephones. Reliable and effective tools are key to your success. Consult an expert and get them on your team to help you make the best decisions regarding your home office equipment. You’ll need them on your team in the future too when even the best of equipment goes awry!
Closely tied to the issue of technology are your communication needs. Shop around and compare. What kind of messaging service and phones do you want? Cordless, cellular, multi-line, or VoIP phones? Who is the most reliable cable or DSL Internet access provider?
Consider if you want to set up a paperless office. If so, what software do you need to make that happen? What hardware?
Last but not least… “Don’t go naked to your office!!!” Remember, a commitment to a home office is a commitment to a professional atmosphere and quality work product. If you find yourself apologizing to clients for time-wasting things like, “I can't seem to open your document” or, “I'm sorry my six-year-old didn’t tell me you called”, your success is going to be limited at best! So be sure and consider all of the possibilities, have a plan, set the ground rules, and enjoy your stress-free commute to your new home office.
Call me at (406) 587-7482 or send me an email at clay@claynelsonlifebalance.com if you need help creating a plan and making it happen.