Tips on Creating a Home Workspace

After leaving my office job of 6 years to work at home in my under-roos, I sometimes had trouble flipping the switch from personal / home mode to work mode. Here are some tips that helped me create a working space.

1. Get changed - Don't be in your pajamas (Yes, I know this conflicts with my blog description!) Providing a separation between your personal / home mental mode and your working mode is the first priority. Changing your clothes can help draw this separation.

2. Leave the house - Another way to draw a separation is to leave the house. Many people rely on that travel time to get their brain sorted into working mode. Create a reason to put it into your routine; pick up a fresh coffee, take the dog out, walk out to the corner to wave at all the people leaving their homes... (also recommended that you follow tip #1 before leaving the house)

3. Separate your work environment - You want to create a physical separation between your working and home environment by dedicating an area (Yes, this is one of the most obvious tips.) Ideally it should be a room you can make into an office, but not everyone has the space to do that. You can start with a room corner, desk, or even hanging a sheet from the ceiling. One of those asian (Don't worry I can generalize about it cause I'm asian) clothes changing movable walls works too.

4. Get rid of the distractions - Turn the TV off, put the game systems away, personal mail and magazines should not be in your work space. If music or the radio disturb you, then get rid of those too. (music actually helps me... at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it)

5. Get a good chair - I am just learning this one after about 6 months. My cheap "executive" leather $50 office depot chair is just not cutting it because in the past week it all of a sudden feels like a wooden bleacher. I have worn down the cushion because it was not built to be sat on for 8+ hours day in and day out. (Until I get over the mental hump of spending $200+ on a chair I'll be on my yoga ball)

In summary these tips aren't just for being more productive and getting into a work mode. It works both ways. Because of the separation you create, you will also find it easier to get out of work mode. (Which is important to other people in your life that enjoy spending time with you... given they exist.)