The Home Office Essentials
As a writer and full-time at-home worker, I often dream about having a real home office and what it would be like.
My wife and I both work at home and we have three small children. We both work out of the main living room, so we can keep an eye on the children, get up to make dinner and other chores throughout the day. Its not always easy to be productive when you have the occasional diaper thrown at your head.
Once the children are older and in school, we are considering creating an office, but in the meantime, all I can do is create a checklist of things a home office needs in order to be effective.
The Computer
This is the lifeline to the outside world for a home office. The computer, whether it is a laptop or a desktop, is where most of the work is done. It must have a connection to the Internet, so you can check your e-mail, surf important work websites and keep up with Mafia Wars. What? Hey, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Oh – and dont forget the webcam for those Skype meetings.
The Phone
It may be your home, but its still your business and employment, so you need to be able to get in touch with your clients and vice versa. Fortunately for me, most of my work is done via the Internet and doesnt require much in the way of voice contact, but every once in a while a client wants a conference call or interview over the phone. If you dont want a regular phone, then you can do all of this from a cell phone, but make sure there is decent reception in your home.
Copier/Printer/Fax/Scanner
These all-in-one marvels are the best thing for home offices since the creation of locked doors. You can copy, print, scan and send documents from the comfort of your home office; much easier than driving to Staples with a USB drive.
Knick-Knacks
A home office isnt home unless it has a little bit of you in it as well. Deck out your home office in all the things your wife doesnt let you put in the living room. That stuffed fish you bought at a garage sale, the autographed picture of Leonard Nimoy and the merit badge collection you have been saving since high school will add the right amount of personal touch.
One day, I will have a proper home office and it will be glorious. Until then, I will continue dodging the diapers.
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