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How to Set Up Your First Home Office and Avoid the Pitfalls

The Macro Economic Side Of Home Office Creation

Not only is it important for you, it's important for the economy. Statistics show that more and more people are moving away from working for others and moving towards being self employed. It was reported by the Administration's Office of Advocacy that, in the 1990's, more than 50% of new jobs that had been created were related to small business, created by people just like you. What's more, this trend is set to continue.

What Do You Need To Create That Home Office?

In order to create an effective home office you want to first have an idea of your needs. Your home office is the business and financial center of your home. Begin by sitting down and taking the time to plan it all out correctly. This is not a job to be rushed!

To determine what you need start by asking yourself the following questions:

1.) What size desk do you need? Can you work within a space you already have when you first get started?

2.) Will you be welcoming clients into your office space, or will you be working exclusively with them online?

3.) What other types of equipment do you need? Will you accept credit card payments? If so, you may need a merchant terminal. Will you need a fax machine or can you just rely on telephone and email. What about a printer?

4.) Do you have to have the best right now or can you wait? Are you able to make do with what you have or can you buy second hand in order to get a low cost start?

Do You Lease or Buy?

Purchasing a lot of new office equipment can be very expensive and many individuals are not able to do that right off of the bat. Many people need to complete some work and get some turnover first before they are able to go out and purchase new office equipment.

You do not want to set yourself up for failure before you even begin so it is best to think smart, consider leasing if that is an option in your area.

Do I Have to Have the Peripherals?

There will most likely be certain things that you can live without when you first begin. A PC with an internet connection and a printer are usually absolute basics you cannot do without. Purchase these essentials first, you can worry about the other things as you begin to make money and your business begins to thrive.

Your Own Comfortable Space

Many people begin a home office and they set up all of their equipment in the living room or in the play room. This may sound a good idea in the beginning but it may soon become very difficult to get anything accomplished because of all of the distractions. You want to find a location that is going to be comfortable and quiet so that you can accomplish your goals. The following is a list of a few of those places:

The basement
The attic
A sun room
The garage
Any unoccupied room with a door
A large room that would accompany a room divider

Lighting

You need to have an area that has plenty of light during all hours of the day. You have plenty of options and you may even be able to rely on sunlight for part of the day. If you can't get natural light then artificial light, a mixture of ceiling and desk lights will do the trick, just as long as your eyes are not straining in the dark.

Efficiency

Take some time to think about what you will be using on a regular basis throughout the day and be sure that it is nearby. This will help save you time because you will not be getting up and down all of the time in order to search for things. This makes you more efficient and that is the goal.

In conclusion, you want your office to be comfortable and efficient. The only way to reach these goals is to spend some time planning in advance. In the long run you will be glad that you took my advice!

Lloyd Burrell is the publisher of OfficeDeskReviews.com and passionate about small business. Whatever the [http://www.officedeskreviews.com/brand/bush-furniture/]home office furniture desk you are looking for, be it an office computer desk, a glass office desk or a more traditional wood executive desk, Lloyd offers [http://www.officedeskreviews.com/]office desk reviews on all these desks and more.

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Home-Based Business - Is Working From Home Right For You?

But being a living room entrepreneur many not be the perfect situation for everyone. Along with the perks, there's a lot of hard work involved and more than a few home-business failures that should serve as cautionary tales for those who think it will be a cakewalk.

No doubt that starting your own business from home can be very rewarding. But there are no guarantees. Before taking the plunge, come up with a plan and beware of the following pitfalls.

Living at Work

If you thought you spent a lot of time at your job before, be ready. You just moved into the store! One good thing about an office or traditional workplace is that it's relatively easy to focus on the job at hand. It's set up for the purpose of accomplishing the tasks of work and little else.

Your home is set up for the other parts of your life. You can set up a portion of it for work as well, but the other parts will always be there.

What would going to a job look like if the employees each had their own bedroom there? It's distracting enough that there is often a kitchen and a bathroom!

Even if you're very focused and disciplined, there will likely be distractions when you work from home. Spouses, kids, roommates and neighbors are just a few. Setting specific work hours and sticking to them is important. Getting those in your life familiar with and respectful of your prescribed work time is helpful, but not usually 100% effective. Hungry and/or playful pets can be notoriously bad at taking a hint.

The Boss is Never out of Town

The art of self-motivation can be tricky. When you are Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, it all begins and ends with you. Setting up structures and sticking to them can go a long way, but there will be times when a workout, a snack, a walk or [YOUR PREFERRED SLACKING TECHNIQUE HERE] wins out.

There's something to be said for the threat of being called into your supervisor's office when you're not hitting your numbers. It feels bad, but it often works to get you back on the straight and narrow.

If you are not someone who's adept at staying focused and consistently getting your work done, it's a skill you will have to develop. Although you won't get written up if your performance is sub-par, your paycheck may indeed get docked.

Making Payroll each week is not a guarantee

Being a small business exposes you to fluctuations in the market that larger businesses don't always experience. With a small business, one unhappy customer or one contract that you're counting on that falls through can be the difference between success and failure.

Even if you've set up everything in your new business with care, the risks are usually greater. Hopefully, you've set an extra cushion aside for a bad week or bad month, but even that is not always enough.

Yes, in some sense, someone who leaves the security of a job with a regular paycheck for the uncertain fortunes of entrepreneurship must be a daredevil, a little crazy or both. There is the very real possibility of failure.

But for those who cannot be dissuaded, good for you. You are one of life's intrepid travelers.

Now, excuse me while I go update my cashflow - oh, and feed the cat.

Marc Jeffrey Davis is a writer and entrepreneur who's living the good life and doing his best to share it. You can check out his latest website on [http://www.electricbbqgrillsonsale.com]electric bbq grills which showcases the best in

Tips on How to Keep Up Your Motivation If You Work From Home Online

Such is a dream job for many people. However, it can be a real nightmare if laziness gets the best of you. You might find it hard to be productive, and in no time come scrambling back to having a 9 to 5 office job. So how do you keep your drive to work up each and every time? Read on to have some pointers.

It's helpful if you wake up at the same time each weekday. For example, if you wake up at 7 am on Monday, wake up at the same hour till Friday. Don't make your work from home online an excuse to stay in bed for as long as you like. Also, having to wake up at the same time keeps you from bad habits, such as staying up all night partying. If there's a need for you to wake up early on weekdays, it's easier to keep disciplined.

Wearing pajamas or nighties sure will constantly remind you of the bed. Upon arising in the morning, have a shower, whip up some breakfast and put on appropriate clothes. Put on typical office attire, if possible, to really get you in the mood for working seriously. Maintain proper grooming habits, even if nobody else is around, such as a co-worker.

Making a to-do list daily will enable you stick to a certain schedule. And make sure that you follow the timeframe given for each entry. However, try not to be too harsh on yourself. For every task that you finish, take some break. You can do anything you want during the break - from doing your laundry to sipping iced tea on the porch. Enjoying some structured breaks will let you finish chores for both your work and home.

Different people have different productivity levels, depending on the time or hour of the day. Find out when you're at your most productive mode, and accomplish your most difficult undertakings during such time. It's also important that you look for ways that will keep your productivity up for the longest time. For instance, you can listen to your preferred music tracks. With no body else around, you may play anything, at any volume, and even bob your head to the beat.

Find a quiet spot or unused room in your home, and make it as your makeshift workplace. Doing your work in the living room isn't a great idea, as all those entertainment gadgets can be quite distracting. Furnish your makeshift workplace with objects that are commonly found in a real office. This way, every time you set foot in it, you will be motivated to work. Don't forget to put a "do not disturb" sign on the door during office hours!

If you work from home online, sure you got plenty of perks to enjoy. But always remember not to abuse them if you wish to let your motivation up at all times. Always bear in mind that many other persons dream of having such job. If you want it to take care of your financial needs, do take good care of it.

Boris began online in March 2008.

And Now is a full time Internet Marketer.

For your FREE step by step BEGINNERS guide to how to start making money online - Please Visit: Http://theworkfromhome-online.com

Free Ebook and Video course!

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How to Keep You Motivated When You Work From Home Online

For most people, working from home is a dream job. But it can be a nightmare if you soon succumb to laziness and lose your productivity. So if you don't want to return to a 9-5 job, how do you stay motivated to work while staying at home? Continue reading to get some pointers.

Try to wake up at the same time during weekdays. If it's 7:00 in the morning, wake up at such time from Monday to Friday. Just because you work from home online doesn't mean you can stay in bed for as long as you like. Besides, this will keep you away from temptations the night before, such as partying all night long. When you know you need to wake up at a particular time the next day, you will remain disciplined.

You can't expect yourself to be motivated to work in your boxers or nighties. Take a shower, wear appropriate clothes and have a hearty breakfast. In fact, you can even don typical office clothes just to put you in working mode right away. Even if no boss or office mate can see you, you still need to stick to good grooming habits.

To help you abide by a certain schedule, make a to-do list. But make sure you follow everything you list down - the tasks and the time frame for each one. However, don't be too hard on yourself. After about a couple of hours of working straight, have some break. It's during this time that you can do some house chores, such as watering the plants or bathing the dog. Having structured breaks will help you accomplish both work and home tasks more efficiently.

Find out during which part of the day you are at your most productive self. Schedule your most difficult tasks to accomplish when you are at your most productive. Also, find ways which will help in keeping your productivity up longer. For example, you can play an upbeat music. Remember that there are no office mates around, so you can play any type of music you like and tap your feet to it.

Dedicate a room in the house for your work and turn it into a makeshift office. Of course when you do your work in the living room, the TV and other entertainment gadgets in it can be quite distracting. Install furnishings in it that will make it look like a real office. This way, each time you step in the room, all your focus will be on your work. Remember to place that "don't disturb" sign on the door as well.

Sure there are plenty of benefits when you work from home online. However, it's important not to abuse them, or else you will lose your motivation to work. Always remember that it's a dream job for most people. Take very good care of it, and it will take good care of you.

Boris began online in March 2008 and now is a full time Internet Marketer. For your FREE step by step BEGINNERS guide to how to start making money online - Please Visit: [Http://theworkfromhome-online.com]Http://theworkfromhome-online.com. Free Ebook and Video course!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Keep-You-Motivated-When-You-Work-From-Home-O...] How to Keep You Motivated When You Work From Home Online

Are You Having Fun Working From Home Or Would Your Partner Rather You Still Went to Work?

Now I am living alone. It was not always like that. For many years, when I did have a wife and family, a lot of my work was done from home and I had to learn from experience how to manage it. I still keep mostly to the working strategies and schedules I set many years ago.

The most important thing to remember when making the change from office to home is that your home may be your castle but most of the space is occupied by others. With the best will In the world your continued presence can be viewed as an intrusion. It is therefore imperative that certainly the most important members of the family take a part in the planning of your office and daily working routine.

Make sure that you explain to your partner in particular what it will all entail. Share your enthusiasm and your doubts and explain what your business is all about. If your partner is really your partner he or she may very well be your best critic and best supporter. Remember that this will be a joint venture.

Plan your office so that it will cause as little disruption as possible on the usual running of the household. You may be the King or Queen of your castle but your subjects can be very obstreperous when put out of their routine. Do try and keep all your work related matter organized and in one place. Tempers can get a little frayed as you turn over the living room looking for those elusive notes.

If at all possible keep to your own computer, they are cheap enough these days, and Geeky teenagers do so love to leave games all over your hard disc, as well as viruses. Teenagers though do have their uses, If properly baited they can be a great help with" techy" stuff. My grandson is a genius with programming and he is not very expensive.

Do plan a strict working regime. Remember that part of the reason for working at home is to spend more time with your family. If you are not commuting you could take the children to school or the dog for a walk. Remember that the whole family should benefit from your increased leisure time. If you have fully integrated your family into this new working relationship, they will respect your need to have a working routine and will not expect you to respond to domestic matters during your work time other than emergencies.

Make yourself a daily task list, it is too easy to get lost and become obsessive about how much you have to do. If at all possible stick your daily task list on the fridge next to the shopping list then everyone will know how serious your work is and you will not forget your tasks.

You can have much more time for fun so make sure that you schedule it in. Remember you made this change to have more freedom, fun and money for your family so make it happen.

Jonathan C Lake failed at retirement and became an internet marketer and writer. Before attempting retirement he spent forty years as a health professional and educator. Now living in Italy he is still obsessed by education and skills training and works in partnership with his son developing and running a growing internet marketing business and is mentored by the Turn Key Mentoring Club. http://www.yourlongtermincome.com http://whoisjonathanlake.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-Having-Fun-Working-From-Home-Or-Would-Your-...?&id=4248649] Are You Having Fun Working From Home Or Would Your Partner Rather You Still Went to Work?

The Cure For Work at Home Alone Blues

In 2006, two guys in New York City decided to do something to fill that gap. Roommates Luke and Amir started inviting friends over one day a week to work from their home. They named this casual co-working group Jelly because, it is reported, they were eating jelly beans at the time. Soon friends invited friends and the idea spread.

Usually, there are 10-12 people with laptops, or whatever else they need to do their work, sitting around on couches and at the table in the relatively quiet living room space. Socializing is done in the kitchen and people needing to take or make private phone calls can duck into a bedroom. It's true that if you need to power through a big project, you're probably better off staying in your home office, but these regular gatherings meet that need for sharing ideas, perhaps collaborating with other people, and socializing.

Co-working groups like Jelly are popping up in other cities and countries. You can check their website to see if there might be one near you. Here are a few guide-lines in setting up your own group:

Recruit friends or friends of friends
Similar fields of work, but mixing it up a bit works, too
Lay out some ground rules
No more than 10-12 people
Frequency of meeting
WiFi connection for all those laptops
Multiple rooms for quiet working, socializing, and access to a restroom
So what if your living space is not big enough to meet in your home or the home of any of your friends? You then would need to scout out a place that could accommodate your work group. Of course, it would be nice if it were free but if a free space is not to be found, do an internet search with your city name and the word "co-working." There are many options in many cities. Some programs even allow you drop-in time at a work space while you are traveling.

You can never underestimate the importance of connection and community and how it positively impacts your work and your life.

Susan Henderson is a coach/consultant/mentor who assists creative entrepreneurs to take that seed of an idea you've been holding close to your heart and sprout it into the business of your dreams. I will guide you through the steps in discovering your purpose and creating a life you can love. One that includes the values that are most important to you-things like independence, flexibility, integrity, and creativity. To find out how, please visit: http://www.susanhenderson.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Cure-For-Work-at-Home-Alone-Blues&id=3995970] The Cure For Work at Home Alone Blues