I am so excited about moving to my new premises in a few weeks. Not only is it a new office space, but it’s my new home too. Yes, I work from home. No, that’s probably not how you imagine it. Let me dispell some of the most common myths about working from home.
- It’s difficult to concentrate.
Show me the office where co-workers, phones, meetings, mail, cleaners and a thousand other distractions don’t exist, and I’ll move in there! If you set the ground rules for family and friends, and create a space that is designed for and conducive to productivity then a home office can actually be a place where it is easier to concentrate than an office in a shared building. - It’s unprofessional.
When I reached a certain level of trading I had the option of renting office space, however I asked myself “What benefits will it bring my business, and my clients?” I couldn’t find an answer that justified the spend. When I asked myself the same question about using the extra income to hire staff and invest in training and software however, it was a different story.The result is that I have a strong team of staff and a plethora of tools that make my life easier and allow me to provide a greater range of services to my clients.I know several other small business owners who chose the other road and now have a beautiful office but little to show for it except for an extra commute and a different postal address.
- It’s difficult to stay motivated.
They say a poor workman blames his tools, and in the same way it’s a lack of work ethic that is often to blame for poor motivation, focus and productivity rather than working from home.Having an office in your home means having a greater degree of control over your environment. You should be able to clearly define your day, workflow and space to help keep you in the right frame of mind to work. - You don’t have the same resources.
Au contraire! I have a pretty darn state of the art office. Wireless printers,netbook social media monitoring station, ipod sound station, gadget charging station, web phones, ipads… all things that again bring value to my work in a way that office rent wouldn’t. I have separate phone lines for home and office, and even have a coffee machine and water dispenser in the office to prevent the disconnect that can result from having to wander through my living room to grab a drink. - It’s just not as good as a ‘proper’ office.
I hear this a lot. ”Oh you work from home? But that’s just not as good as a “real” office, right?” A home office is often seen as a second class work space; a compromise made by people who either aren’t serious about or successful in their career.Again it’s more about the value than the cost. If the day comes when I need a place to meet with clients, conduct training and work with multiple in-house staff, then I will be the first one in line to sign a lease on a sparkling glass fronted office space in the centre of town. Until then, I am thrilled about my pending move to my new home office.
What this space for an upcoming post about why I have chosen to go retro when planning our new office, and a video tour of the space once it is finished!
