– by Mike & Lisa Dunsmuir, Step One Design –
“According to Stats Canada, 15% of all workers in Canada are self employed, they account for about one-half of those who work at home. In 2008, 60% of self-employed workers did paid work at home.” (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2011001/article/11366-eng.htm#a11.) Speaking from experience, working from home isn’t always what it’s cut out to be. Yes, it’s a two-second commute, and the rent is low and the coffee is free. But that’s where the perks end (no pun intended).
One biggest challenge when starting a business from home is dedicating physical space for it. Let’s face it, a desk stuck in a bedroom or a utility closet just doesn’t cut it. Ask me; I know.
It’s tough. Starting a new business is never easy. Funds have to be dedicated to marketing, tech equipment, supplies. The list goes on. Little thought is given to the work environment. Soon, a couple of years go by and revenues drop along with your get-to-it attitude.
Take a look at the four walls around you. Heck, if you’re reading this, and don’t work from home, take a look around. We spend eight to 10 hours a day (minimum, those who own your own businesses don’t laugh at me, I’m trying not to scare off the newbies), five days a week (still being positive), 52 weeks a year within our workspace. That’s the same amount of time we spend in our homes. Yet, we spend all our hard-earned money on making our homes comfortable.
So why isn’t our home office working? Did you think long term and big? Did you scrimp on that tech equipment only to regret it? It’s easy to throw a desk into a corner and cover your immediate needs. It’s a whole other thing to plan for your future when your business starts to grow. Did you design your space to accommodate additional storage and equipment required?
One of the biggest mistakes home-based business owners make is not physically and mentally separating their business from their home life. A dedicated office space, drowning out the typical household interruptions, is essential for peak productivity. All your materials and equipment should be completely separate. On top of all that, the mental separation is important too. Make it a rule to shut the door at a reasonable time. It’s so easy to work solid when working from home.
Most importantly, make the space your own. Put your personality into it. Those are your four walls. Paint it a funky color, pamper yourself. This is the plus of working from home. It is all your space. No one to tell you to take that photo off your desk. Take advantage of it. Oh, and did I say it’s unprofessional to work in your housecoat? I’ll never tell.
For more information visit www.steponedesign.ca.
