Setting Up Your Home Office

You’ve probably seen the pictures of people who sit on their couch with their laptop and that’s what they call their “home office.”

Those pictures are really intended to sell you on the idea and the lifestyle and don’t really paint an accurate picture of running a home based business.

If you can, take a spare bedroom and convert it into your home office. Put in a desk and some filing cabinets and keep that space dedicated to only work related activities.

While I know that not everyone has the luxury of having a spare room they can convert into a home office, if you can do it, then do it.

What if I don’t have an extra room?

Considering I started my business from my dorm room, that should give you some idea of how little space is required to get your business started.

If you’re starting an online business, then all you really need is a computer and an Internet connection.

The most important thing is to find an environment where you can work efficiently without being distracted. If sitting at the kitchen table is where you get work done, then work there. If you need to pack up your laptop and go to the library, then do that. It’s your business – you get to decide where you want to work (that’s the real appeal of running a home business).

I actually have the luxury of having two rooms in my house entirely dedicated to running my business. One room is my actual office and the other is where I store inventory and record some of my videos.

However, I’ve found that for me, spending a few hours sitting at the local coffee shop a few blocks from my house is where I’m able to get my work done best. So just about every morning I pack up my laptop, grab a cup of joe and work. I do almost 100% of my writing there (it’s where this page was created) and most of my brainstorming and planning as well.

I have all my email synched to Gmail so I can access all of my email no matter where I am. (If you’re not already using Gmail, do it – it’s awesome.)

In the afternoon, I do go back to my office and get the rest of my work for the day done. For example, most of my basic videos are shot in my office (the ones where I’m not on camera).

For you, the key to your success as a home based business owner will be finding you’re the workspace where you can focus on getting work done without the kids screaming or the television distracting you.

No related posts.