Where do you do your work? Do you work at a fully appointed, plush desk with a leather upholstered chair? Do you toil away at the kitchen table? Is your car your office? Do you feel that where ever you and your laptop are, that is your office? I’ve found that in business your workspace matters. While you don’t need to have a lush office space with a personal assistant answering the phone for you, you do need to have a space to call your own, a space that says, “I am working right now” when you’re in it.
How can you set up your workspace for success? Here are some items to consider:
- Where ever you call your workspace it should make you feel like a professional — yes, even if you’re working at the corner of the kitchen table while the family is at work. Claim that space, make it your own and be professional!
- No matter what space you call your office, you should have a comfortable chair and a keyboard, mouse and computer that allow you to work effectively and efficiently. Your health matters and because of that you should have an office space that enhances your health. A rickety outdoor poolside chair is not conducive to a healthy or productive workday. Even if you don’t have an office outside of the home, that doesn’t mean the space where you work isn’t set up for success and that you have the tools you need.
- Where do you meet potential clients? Is there a co-office space in your area of the country that you could rent out on occasion when you need to meet clients? You don’t want to have clients coming to your home, wading through your children’s toys and dealing with your pets. Remember, first impressions count. Even if you can’t find a co-office space, many business professionals are accustomed to “coffee shop meetings” and you can tell a potential client that is where you prefer to meet and they likely won’t blink an eye.
In addition to having a space to call your own, I believe you should dress for success — even if you’re working in your living room. I feel that dressing professionally will help you project that aura when you’re on the phone with a client.
Share with me what your workspace is like and how it works for you.