Creating A Space of Your Own
One of the great privileges of direct selling profession isbeing able to work from home. But with the freedom of your career, also come the challenges.The sink is full of dishes, your son left his crayons /on yourdesk, and the laundry is piled up in the corner. A well designedhome office help you transition from the role of domesticgoddess to high power entrepreneurial executive. Just like ClarkKent changes in the phone booth to become Superman, as you enteryour office space,...
... you turn into queen of your home businessempire. Instantly your mind shifts from the laundry list ofhousehold chores, to strategies for earning that big check nextmonth and enjoying a hard earned Hawaiian vacation.But how can you plan the perfect workspace; one that keeps youorganized, inspires you, and boosts your productivity? Here withsome rules of thumb to follow when designing your home officespace.Plan a space that meets your needs. •Space: Imagine your dreamspace. You have the freedom to create the space of your dreamsWhere is it? What items do you need to have in it? Somequestions to ask yourself are: what equipment you’ll need, whatthings you’ll have to store, and how much privacy you’ll need.Do you need to stay close so you can keep an eye on the kids? Doyou need a meeting space? Will you have customers or otherconsultants stopping by?•Location. Choose a space in your home that best supports thoseneeds. Whether it’s a space bedroom, a corner of the livingroom, a large closet, an attic or a converted garage; find aroom that that has enough space for the equipment and furnitureyou need.•Storage. While not every direct seller needs to keep inventoryon hand, those that do know that having an organized space tostore product is critical. Make sure that space you choose hasample room for shelving and storage. Think about the items youhandle on a day to day basis in your business. Now make a listof the items. Do you need a bookshelf or wall holders forcatalogs and brochures? With the proper space and containers tookeep your office tidy and you’ll have a clutter free, organizedwork space. •Furniture. Next it’s time to outfit your work space with adesk, bookcase, and filing cabinets. Today with the boom in homebased careers, there is such a variety of office furniture tochoose from. Whether it’s a simple desk, an office armoire, or acomplete L-shaped unit, make sure you’ll have the desktop spaceyou need to keep key items at your fingertips. Dare to splurge alittle on getting yourself a comfortable and ergonomicallysupportive chair. It’s a back-saving and worthwhile investment.•Equipment. Plan a spot to put your computer, phone, and fax.Buying an all-in-one printer/scanner/fax machines is a smartchoice that saves you desktop space and money!Put it together it a way that makes sense.•Placement. Decide What Goes Where. Place key equipment in a wayto flows with the way that you work. •Organization. One great way to stay organized is to createcenters for the tasks you frequently perform. For instance youmight want to put all your brochures, order forms, and catalogstogether in one place. Other “centers” may include a mailingcenter, a faxing center, and a printing center. Boxes and binsare great for keeping smaller office supplies organized.•Ergonomics. Place your keyboard, lighting, and monitor atproper heights. By being good to your body, you can function atpeak performance without tiring as quickly or getting injuredfrom incorrect positioning.Create an inspiring atmosphere you’ll love.•Personalize. Now’s the chance you have been waiting for tocreate the office of your dreams. Make your office a space thattruly inspires you. Little things make such a difference. Choosea paint color that brings you joy. Pamper yourself withtreasured photos, candles, and artwork on the wall. Add a touchof romance and a dash of color with a potted plant or vase withflowers on your desk. Finally, having inspirational quotes, adream map, and visual reminders of your goals can be powerfultools to keep you motivated and on the track to success. •Cleanand tidy. There’s nothing like starting the day with a cleandesk. Try to get in the routine of either cleaning your desk atthe end of the day, or doing a 5 minute tidy first thing in themorning. By having a place for everything and everything in itsplace, it’s easy to stay organized and be more efficient.•Lighting. Don’t skimp on lighting. In addition to creatingambiance in the room, proper lighting keeps you from strainingyour eyes. In addition to having enough overhead lighting,you’ll also want task lighting. Today there’s a wonderfulselection of stylish and functional lamps to choose from.Start your Dream Office Today!What are you waiting for? Get a jumpstart on your home officenow by taking the following actions in the next 48 hours.•Walk around your home and visualize your office. What spacefeels good and inspiring to you? Where can you see yourselfspending a lot of time and loving it? Choose the perfect spaceand clear it out. •Flip through catalogs and magazines. Clippictures of furniture, décor, and items you’d like to include inyour dream office. By getting crystal clear on the intricatedetails of your perfect workspace, it makes it easier to spotthose items as you come across them. •Shop around and look forsmart buys. Scan the newspapers, store fliers, and online officestore coupons for sales and special offers.
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