Pick the Right Spot

Think About The “ThirdPlace”

• You need to hold informal meetings with less than a handful of people at a time.
• You need to get out of your house but don’t need the formality of a regular office.
• You’re comfortable–even energized–working with background noise and bustle.
• You’re at the research or pre-launch stage of your business.
• You enjoy interacting with other solo acts and entrepreneurs.
• You don’t always spend a full workday in one spot and mostly need “touch-down” space.
• You can afford to spend about $15 per day on coffee–or “rent” at a co-working space.

Get Rid Of Clutter–Daily

• Stack and sort. What do you need first thing tomorrow? Assemble the papers, documents and collateral necessary. What do you need later in the day tomorrow? Bunch relevant material in bundles, so you have materials necessary for each project/meeting handy and at least clustered together.
• Leave at least one or two square feet of working space empty on your desktop so you feel you’ve got a clean slate when you start work in the morning.
• Toss it! If you’ve doodled numbers or notes, input them in your contact management software, computer or mobile device and then toss papers. If you’ve doodled brainstorms or follow-up ideas, put them in a folder assigned to “brainstorming” and review it weekly. Look to see if they belong in a digital calendar or organizer or in a big folder of “general ideas” you revisit periodically.

• Stack and sort. What can you stow for later? What needs to remain handy for re-use?
• Stow expense receipts or other paperwork you’ll need to save for taxes or other purposes in an out-of-sight/out-of-mind folder.
• Clean off any write-on/wipe-off or bulletin boards containing outdated events, contacts, meeting notices or invites.
• Digitize any business cards or other contact information you’ve culled during the week.
• Fill an “idea” folder–stash any notes, scribbles, articles, etc., that grabbed your eye during the week in here. Then, go through the folder once a week for action items.

Rethink Your Interiors

• Replace glaring neon or overhead lights with ambient lighting or energy-saving sensor-based lighting that shuts on and off as workers enter or exit a space. Wattstopper (www.wattstopper.com) makes models for both residential and commercial spaces.
• Get fresh air via open windows instead of relying on indoor air. In buildings that lack operable windows, consider using a portable air purifier (available at most office superstores) or periodic duct cleaning through a professional service.
• Spruce up space with work-appropriate paint. It’s amazing how negatively grimy, putty-colored walls impact morale. How about painting the place and cheering people up a little, or choosing a color that relates to the company’s mission or industry? Color theory can tell you what types of colors create what types of moods. For instance, warm hues (red, yellow and orange) are stimulating and assertive–perfect, perhaps, for sales, advertising or creative businesses. In contrast, blue, green and violet are all calming colors, better suited for eco-friendly, healing and natural professions. Pantone offers an interesting discussion of color theory here: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=19382&ca=29

Sit Up Straight!

• Choose a chair with lumbar support and sit upright in the chair so your lower back and shoulders both touch the backrest.
• Chair height should allow for feet to sit flat on the floor. (Use a footrest if this isn’t possible.)
• Thighs should parallel the floor, with knees at hip level.
• There should be 2 to 4 inches between back of knee and seat.
• Allow 2 to 3 inches between thighs and underside of desk or work station.

• How to Create a Productive Home Office Space
• The Ergonomic Office
• Renovating Your Business’s Location