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Home Office Organization:
- Invest in a simple filing system. Even if it's just a box to store your
files, you need to have some way to keep your records organized.
- Don't collect paper. Too much paperwork lowers your efficiency. If there's
a piece of paper you don't need, don't say, "I'll just stick it in this file and throw
it out later when I have more time". Get rid of it if you don't need it.
- Purchase a book to use for your bookkeeping. Again, nothing expensive; just a
functional book where you can write your expenses and income. This will prove
invaluable when it comes time to do your taxes. If you're comfortable with computers,
there are many different types of software that can help you with bookkeeping.
- Don't go crazy with new furniture. Don't spend money needlessly on fancy
furniture. Get comfortable, functional, and affordable furniture - just enough to get
you by while you're getting started. When you start making a profit, you can re-evaluate
your needs.
- Consider using a system of "baskets". Okay, so you're working from home and that's
more of a "working in an office" thing. But it'll make things easier if you have a
place to store your list of "to-do" items, another for filing, and so on. NOTE: If you're
running an online business, you can do the same type of thing with your email folders. Most
email programs can automatically file your mail for you based on the criteria you provide.
Organizing Your Time:
- Deal with paper immediately. Take a few seconds to read it and make a decision on
where it should go - should you file it, put it in your in-basket, or handle it right away?
It's far easier to deal with one piece of paper at a time than two weeks worth of
accumulated paperwork.
- Log all your expenses and income on a regular basis. Whether it's at the end of each
day or each week, take a little time to carefully fill in your log book. File away the
receipts you've entered. This will make it easier on you at tax time.
- Group your tasks. Do all similar tasks in the same time block. Separate your
work into categories - for example, phone calls, replies, or payments. You'll work more
quickly and efficiently if you can concentrate on one task at a time.
- Do administration and clerical tasks "in-between" your more important tasks.
Concentrate your efforts on growing your business. Keep easy tasks in one basket for when
you have a little extra time. For example, you could do your filing while dinner's in the
oven.
Ultimately, home office organization and time management is personal. Find what
works best for you as an individual as well as what's most effective for your
home business.
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In this section:
Getting Started
Money Matters
Doing Business Online
Your Home Office
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