5 Quick Home Office Tips

My home office is actually in my bedroom – it's not a bad space, but it requires being organized and disciplined as there are constant interruptions and the space is compact. How do I maximize my space and get the most from my office?

Here are a few tips to ponder for the weekend for your own home office:

1.) Microsoft SyncToy – backing up data used to kind of be annoying – the backup function that comes with Vista isn't that great and the other option is dragging and dropping files. SyncToy is great because it syncs two folders – a left side and a right side, the left being your computer and the right being another portable drive. With one click, both can always be kept in sync and backup is a snap!

2.) Receipts – whenever I buy something, I quickly enter the receipt into Microsoft Money and then file the receipt away in an envelope. That's it – I never have to look at it again … instead, I use my Money reports to get the data I need. I keep one envelope for each year. Say goodbye to fumbling through receipts at year-end!

3.) Virtual Office – being a renter, I constantly move and change my address, so it's very easy to lose mail. I now rent a virtual office at a business centre and have all my business mail delivered there. If I need to meet clients, I can also use the boardrooms (for an hourly fee) and have a professional surrounding. For an extra fee, I can even have my calls answered there, which is an added bonus. It costs me about $100/month.

4.) Shredder – an absolute must! I shred anything with my name or address on it. Pay the extra for the cross-cut (cuts both ways) models as I think the strip-cut (cut into long strips) ones don't give enough privacy. If you don't have one, go out and get one!

5.) Install a lock – putting a lock on your door will signal to pesky roommates or other family members that you're busy working. Another option is getting a do-not-disturb sign.

I love working at home, but I think the biggest problem is dealing with distractions when you live with people. Clearly, boundaries have to be set and they must respect your space and time.

Photo: mudpig(Btw, this isn't my what my office looks like – I wish!)

RECENT POSTS

Cloud Computing

Time Management

Dealing With Stress

If you like this post, then subscribe for free email updates HERE or click on the bright orange logo on the TOP RIGHT section of my blog. You can also sign up for updates via RSS FEED. What is RSS?