You may think that all that you need to do to set up a great home office is put a desk in a spare room and start working. However, to be a successful telecommute worker, you'll want a few more things to be in place. Here are some changes to expect when you start working from home.
You Have to Set Boundaries
It's hard to be productive if you have family members popping in to chat about this or that when they are home at the same time as you. It breaks the trance of being at work when your child comes in the office to show you their new toy. In order to make it work with a home office, you'll have to set some boundaries with your family. When you're in your office, you need some space and some peace and quiet. Scheduling your office hours when others are out of the house certainly helps, but when this isn't possible, you might want to speak with family about having some quiet hours during your scheduled work time.
You Need Better Security
You have all of your files and your work computer at home, which means that your work files are pretty vulnerable. Any intruder can walk into your yard and see your office equipment, and your security is probably a lot more lax than what you'd expect at even the most basic offices. You may want to review your office security with a commercial locksmith and at least put business-grade high security or electronic locks on your business equipment. Getting commercial property insurance for your home office is a good idea as well now that you're running a business. For more information, contact companies like Venus & Mars Locksmith.
You'll Need Professional Furniture and Equipment
For the best productivity possible, consider the equipment you would want an employer to provide and provide it for yourself. That might include, for example, an ergonomic desk and chair with a comfortable keyboard. If you always loved those coffee breaks at the office, maybe getting a k-cup coffee machine for your home use would help you feel more productive. Anything you'll miss from your office space, set aside the money gradually to provide it.
You'll Love it Or You'll Hate It
For some people, working at home for the first time is a fundamental mind shift, where it's hard to transition back to the regular office. For others, they find that they quickly miss their coworkers and the change of scenery at an office. You'll find out which one you are shortly, but to really give it a go, setting up a great home office is a must.
