As a new freelancer, you will have many tasks on your plate. From creating a business plan to setting up your office, it goes without saying that you will have plenty of things to keep you busy.
For many, setting up a home office is a dream come true. Others, however, don’t know the first thing about getting started.
Below, I’ll discuss some of the basic steps to take when setting up a home office. While there is more to it than this, these points of advice will put you on the right track.
1. Choose Your Space
Above all else, you must decide where your office will be located within your home. Are you using a spare bedroom? How about the basement? What about the kitchen table?
While some people are lucky enough to have a dedicated space, this does not hold true across the board.
Fortunately, a home office can be located wherever you best see fit. All that matters is that you choose the right space without delay.
2. Get the Essentials
Only you know what types of items you need in your home office. It’s important to make a list of essentials so that you don’t forget anything.
For example, you may soon realize that you need to purchase a new desk and chair. Since these are important to your efficiency and comfort, you don’t want to skimp.
Tip: when making purchases for your home office, don’t shy away from used items. This is a great way to get exactly what you want and need, all at a fraction of the cost.
3. Implement a System for Staying Organized
Over time, your home office has a way of becoming disorganized. One piece of paper turns into 100. A few books turn into 50 or more. Soon enough, your once pristine home office is now cluttered with items that you don’t need.
This is why it’s so important to implement a system for staying organized. When you do this on day one, you have a much better chance of achieving success over the long run.
4. Ways to Keep Others Out
Let’s face it: one of the biggest problems with working from home is that others, such as your children and spouse, may not realize that you’re focused on taking your company to the next level.
This is why you need a way to keep others out. Most people find that they can close their door and lock it for privacy.
If this isn’t an option, such as if your desk is in your dining room, you need to implement another system for getting the peace and quiet you need.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter if you’ll be working at home full-time or are searching for a part-time opportunity, it’s essential to setup a home office that will allow you to stay on track and grow your career.
When you make the right decisions upfront, you won’t have to concern yourself with the setup of your office in the future. Instead, everything you need will be at your fingertips — and there is nothing more important than that.
Do you have any experience setting up a home office? Did you make any mistakes the first time you did this? Share your advice and any other thoughts in the comment section below.
Originally published at medium.com