Organized for Life: Working from a Home Office
By Deb Powell, retired member of POC
Good news is: You don’t have to build an addition!
Being organized is the key!
If your home is also your work place you will need to be very organized, as you’ll be spending most of your time there. Being cozy and comfortable will also encourage and support your success and your mental health. Personalize your space with your favorite photos, plants, pictures. Add nature or water sounds, fountains, a fish bowl or aquarium. Try playing instrumental music quietly in the background, it’s uplifting and comforting. Blues are my favourite.
Many clients say finding time to set up a home office and having the right organizing tools is the hardest part. You just have to make it a priority and schedule the time. Have someone help you if possible. Once it’s done, you’re on your way!
Only when you have an idea of how much space and storage you’ll need, should you obtain the appropriate items.
Easy ideas for your entranceway in your home and/or office:
Hangers or hooks for coats
Labled bins for each person’s hats, mitts, boots... or, bookcase style shelves, mounted shelves, material hanging shelves, deacons bench, or a chest of drawers
Large hooks for backpacks, umbrellas etc…
Small hooks for keys
Small table with a drawer, a dish for keys, wallets, sunglasses… Table top to set things on while getting ready or coming in…
Chair or deacons bench for sitting while getting footwear on and off
Shelves for shoes and boots, solid so dirt doesn’t drop down onto the next level
Bin/tote for sports equipment
SHOES!!! Leave them at the door… they are filthy! Yuk! You don’t want this stuff all over your house or office… they can carry mud, grease, lawn chemicals, lead, biological goop... Remember, physical illnesses can cause mental ones, and stress.
If there are others in the house they need to respect your office: space, time, equipment and supplies. Keep pets away if possible.
3 Main Office Needs
#1 SPACE: You will need minimum: A table, comfortable chair, and good lighting.
At most: A whole room with a desk, chair, file cabinets, etc. You can set up and take down your work equipment daily, or have a permanent space.
Having more than one job or business can be organized with separate or combined areas/files/spaces.
#2 STORAGE
There are many options according to what items and systems work best for you, and will depend on the amount of space required.
You can use: Bins, file folders, trays, accordion folders, cupboards, shelves, desk drawers, file cabinets... A water/fire proof safe is a good idea for really important papers.
#3 SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT
Keep out what you use often and put the rest out of sight if possible.
You will need: a computer, phone, file folders, labels, note books, stapler, clips, pens, markers, calendar… You will also need a very bright area or light if you do online meetings.
If you are easily distracted, always run out of time, or put things in the wrong place, there is one way to avoid losing your work, because creating paper piles is NOT allowed! Make three files, bins, or trays called: IN PROGRESS, TO FILE, and PAY/RENEW, and write due dates on the calendar.
Join us next month for: Organizing for the Holidays....Priorities! Say yes! Say no!
Questions and feedback welcome // debmag04@gmail.com
