TL;DR
To work well from home, set up a good desk, chair and filing cabinet in the quietest spot you have, and keep business papers separate from personal ones. File paperwork at the end of each day, keep the desktop clear, open mail daily, shred client information, use one scheduling system and consider hiring help with household chores.
The Must Do’s for Working at Home
1. Do invest in a high quality desk, chair and filing cabinet. If you can’t afford new, check thrift and second-hand shops in your area.
2. Do find the quietest place in your house to set up your office. A corner in the den or bedroom may have to suffice if your home does not have an extra room.
3. Do keep your personal finances and records separate from your business space. This may qualify you for a home office tax write-off.
4. Do organize all files in folders and label them accordingly. Put all paperwork in the appropriate file at the end of each day.
5. Do keep your desktop clear so you have plenty of room to work without items falling to the floor.
6. Do open your mail on a daily basis and immediately discard all junk mail and circulars. If recycling is available in your area, consider keeping a basket by your desk that you can empty into the bin on a weekly basis.
7. Do shred any client information before discarding. This shows respect for their personal information as well as safeguarding against theft.
8. Do use a computer to track your business expenses, pay bills and manage your budget. Be sure to back up your files on a hard disk at regular intervals. Change your password frequently.
9. Do keep all of your schedule information in one place. This is an invaluable habit no matter what kind of business you have. Not all people are good candidates for a PDA, but whatever type of scheduling system you choose one and only one should be used.
10. Do consider hiring someone to help routine chores. This will allow you to concentrate on work without getting side-tracked by household tasks.
If you keep these tips in mind, you will soon form good work habits and your home office will be a productive investment.
Keep reading
- 8 Dont’s When Working at HomeThe habits that quietly wreck a home workday.
- Organizing a Home Based BusinessSetting up a home office that keeps work and family life apart.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I set up a home office?
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Find the quietest place in your house. If you don’t have a spare room, a corner of the den or bedroom can work. Invest in a good quality desk, chair and filing cabinet, and check thrift and second-hand shops if new is out of reach.
Why keep personal and business records separate at home?
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Keeping your personal finances and records out of your business space keeps both easier to manage, and it may help you qualify for a home office tax write-off.
How should I handle paperwork and mail in a home office?
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Organize all files in labeled folders and put paperwork into the right file at the end of each day. Open mail every day and throw away junk mail and circulars right away. A recycling basket by your desk that you empty weekly makes this easy.
What should I do with client papers I no longer need?
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Shred any client information before you throw it away. It shows respect for their personal information and protects against identity theft.
How do I keep household chores from pulling me away from work?
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Consider hiring someone to help with routine chores so you can concentrate on work without getting sidetracked. Keeping all your schedule information in one place, in one system only, also helps you stay on track.
In the list “Must Do’s for Working at Home”, you stated that everyone should have a high quality desk, chair and filing cabinet. What type of desk & filing cabinet do you need in order for them to be called “high quality”? It seems like no desk is ever sufficient. Or is it me – am I just a “clutter-bug”!
Hi Sherree,
I just posted another article on this website to help answer your questions.
Visit https://addspacetoyourlife.com/the-proper-office-organizing-plan/
to read more.