| How do you plan the workspace that is perfect | | | | in a screen or TV to watch these images. |
| for you? The type that keeps you organized, | | | | 2. Put your office together in a way that makes |
| focused on business while it inspires you and | | | | sense.a. Placement: Put key equipment in a |
| boosts your productivity. | | | | configuration that works with your style. Only you |
| 1. Plan a space that meets your needs rather | | | | can decide what should go where--do you need |
| than someone else's idea of what your office | | | | an L-shaped configuration or would two desks |
| should look like.a. Space: Imagine that you have | | | | parallel to each other work better?b. Organization: |
| the freedom to create the space of your dreams. | | | | Your work pattern will decide how tasks should |
| Where is it? At home or downtown or a studio. | | | | be laid out in your office. Do you need to create |
| What do you need to have in it? List the | | | | separate centres for different tasks? Perhaps |
| equipment you need, the storage you need for | | | | you prefer to have all your projects within easy |
| supplies and possibly inventory. How much privacy | | | | reach. The key is to be able to find what you |
| do you need? Where do you work at your best-- | | | | need quickly so develop a system that makes it |
| with people around you or in complete quiet with | | | | easy for you.c. Ergonomics: Make sure you have |
| no disturbances? Does your business require | | | | work surfaces at the correct height for your |
| meeting space? Will clients or consultants be | | | | body size and the height of your work surfaces. |
| stopping by or will you be working outside your | | | | If you are getting tired quickly or ache at the end |
| office for these types of contacts?b. Location: | | | | of the day, you need to adjust your seating. |
| Find the space you need to meet your identified | | | | Consider a foot rest for one or both feet under |
| needs. Is it a room in your home or perhaps a | | | | the desk to take pressure off your lower back. A |
| separate building on your property? Is it a rented | | | | great piece of advice from a prolific writer is to |
| office? Perhaps you want to consider shared | | | | have a jug of water on your desk and keep |
| office space from a company that can provide | | | | drinking--this will make you get up from |
| meeting rooms and reception services on an "as | | | | time-to-time and stretch those muscles no |
| needed" basis.c. Storage: How much stuff do you | | | | matter how busy you are. |
| need in your office? Paperwork can be organized | | | | 3. Create an atmosphere that you love to work |
| in filing cabinets or in boxes on shelves but how | | | | in.a. Personalize: Remember, this is your office. |
| about those six year old tax forms? Is there a | | | | Surround yourself with a colour that gives you |
| space to store old items away from your | | | | energy or provides much needed focus. Create |
| everyday work space? Do you have an | | | | vignettes of inspiring items so that your goals and |
| inventory? If you do, then you need to find a | | | | purpose of being in business are easily seen for |
| place to have it easily accessible and organized for | | | | those tougher days. When you glance up from |
| quick access. Carefully planning storage can make | | | | your computer, do you see something that gives |
| your office efficient and a pleasure to work in.d. | | | | you a smile or a boost? That is the kind of office |
| Furniture: Many articles on office planning insist on | | | | you want to have.b. Clean and Tidy: This is a |
| a set list of items for an office (desk, chair, | | | | matter of efficiency. For some, cleaning their desk |
| bookcase, filing cabinet). However, this is the time | | | | at the end of the day is a signal that their work |
| for some of your creative juices to start flowing. | | | | day is complete. For others, they tidy up first |
| Instead of a traditional desk, you can use a | | | | thing in the morning. Still others prefer to lay out |
| beautiful table that is big enough to spread out | | | | the work of the next day so it is ready to tackle |
| your work. Perhaps you work better on your | | | | first thing. Keeping it tidy each day is far easier |
| feet and a large whiteboard on the wall would help | | | | than trying to do it once every six months.c. |
| you develop your ideas. A beautiful carpet | | | | Lighting: As much as you may enjoy working only |
| underfoot and inspiring artwork can also make | | | | by the glow of your computer screen in the |
| your office a great place to spend your day. If | | | | middle of the night, it is a strain on your eyes. |
| you do a lot of reading, consider putting a reading | | | | You need to comfortably see what you are |
| corner in your office with a comfortable chair and | | | | reading so invest in lighting in the areas you need |
| side table.e. Equipment: Most businesses require | | | | it, whether on your desk, overhead or beside a |
| the basics of a computer and printer, phone, and | | | | chair. |
| fax. For your computer, do you need a desktop | | | | You can have the office of your dreams to go |
| or a laptop with a wireless connection? Do you | | | | with the business of your dreams. Planning and |
| need other equipment that is specialized to your | | | | seeking out the best solutions for you is the |
| business such as a headset or drafting board? If | | | | answer. Now get started! |
| you use video or imaging, you might need to put | | | | |