- The 3 Questions that you must ask of EVERY ITEM in your Home Office is: Do you LOVE it? Do you USE it? Do you NEED it? If it doesn't serve a positive, useful purpose for the function of the room, it doesn't belong in the room!
- If you haven't used an item in 1 year, it needs to go. Donate it, toss it or use in another room...
- If your Home Office is a shared space (i.e. a guest bedroom, a corner in the family room) make sure that there is a dedicated area for you to perform the duties that you need to, to be effective in your work (i.e. a screen, curtains or a "do not disturb" sign for the doorknob).
***If your desk faces a wall you will, subconsciously, always be "up against a wall" when trying to make decisions and/or trying to implement new ideas. If this is the ONLY way you can position the desk, make sure that there is detailed artwork hanging above the desk. The perils of having your desk face a window, is the distractions & glare that will present itself-especially on nice, sunny days! It's best to position your desk at a 90 degree angle to the window, forming a "T" to minimize this.***
If you're lucky enough to get to paint or you are setting up a new Home Office, try to incorporate your company's logo colors into your color scheme. (I do this in all of my office designs for clients to help with branding the company image/message). And again, looking to Feng Shui, incorporating the color BLUE not only helps to activate the Knowledge Life Area, but also gives your eye a place to "rest" from computer eyestrain. (ex: a BLUE area rug, flowers, chair pillows).
And lastly, when trying to accessorize your Home Office, only bring in items that are inspiring & applicable to a professional office setting-even though you work from home. This is still an office & needs to be treated as such. Any certificates or recognition trophies, awards & the like can all be displayed here (or in the SUCCESS Life Area (center portion of the far wall when standing at the doorway looking in). Want to display pictures of your significant other, friends & children? That's fine, but again, make sure it's work appropriate which means your wedding photo-OK, swimsuit photos of you at the pool bar-No.
General Tips:
- If you don't have a shredder, purchase one. Shred any old, un-needed paperwork, CDs or receipts to a) efficiently dispose of it, b) help stop identity theft.
- A scanner will help reduce paper in your office.
- Clutter can also refer to old files & emails on your computer. Use the 3 Questions for your computer as well.
- If you have books or manuals that you need for reference, or other items that you don't use on a daily basis, utilize the vertical wall space. A 2-3" shelf placed at plate rail height will give you some storage space & will also act as "artwork" in the room. You will still have access to items, but won't be in your work space.
- Only work on 1-3 projects at a time. Any more & you'll become overwhelmed & can procrastinate then on all projects................
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