Thanks to technology, the option of working from home has been made available to Australians. Although there are still some improvements to be made in certain aspects such as the Internet connection (which is being addressed by NBN Co), having a home office is a convenience many Australians now enjoy.
Here are our top three tips for creating or improving your home office, so you too can enjoy the benefits of working from home.
- Choose a spot
While working in your bedroom or on the couch in the living room may seem like an enticing idea, it is not an effective method if you will be in the work from home business for the long haul. If you want to be more efficient as you run your business and perform your tasks at home, you need to have a dedicated area for your home office.
A proper home office is helpful to productivity. It will make it easier for you to switch from your relaxed mode to your work mode – something that people who stay at home day in and day out usually find difficult to do.
- Invest in equipment
Buy the same kind of equipment you would normally use in an office. Depending on your budget, start with the most important stuff like a computer, good Internet connection, and a separate telephone line. Office furniture is equally important, and you need to make sure you have a decent desk, chair, and filing cabinet. In this case – your dining chairs or that old sofa simply won’t do.
- Keep everything organised
Treat your home office as you would a regular office. Keep everything neat and orderly. Apart from that, you also need to keep your schedule in order. It is best to set a work schedule so you don’t end up working only when you want to, or when you are not feeling lazy. Set a specific time for work and stick with it.It is, however, also important to set aside time to relax and to go out. Working from home can quickly isolate you from the rest of the world, especially if your work does not really require you to go out and meet clients in person. Workaholics can also fall into a pattern where work becomes the biggest priority, and since they have a home office, all they do is work, work, and work at home.
Finding a good balance between work and play when you have a home office may seem hard at first, but once you get a proper space and a good routine going, you will easily be able to switch between the two on a daily basis.
