Is working from home really that productive?

If your answer to that question is ‘Yes’ then great I’ve got some home business tips for you. If your answer is ‘No’, then even better because I’ve got some tips for you too.

In this article, I will share some real tips about having a successful home business. These aren’t secrets about how to generate more leads or create the proper business funnel. These are real tips that have helped me survive long hours in front of three monitors in my office.

Be comfortable

Think ergonomics. This was a mistake that I made for too many years thinking that it wouldn’t make any difference. I was wrong (Don’t tell my wife I said that please.) Make sure your office chair is comfortable. I don’t mean a flimsy black chair with some decent cushions. I am talking about one with wheels, back support, swivels, moves up / down, and has adjustable arm rests. Think flexibility and support. When I was looking for a new office chair, I went to the store and sat in every chair they had at least twice. I left. Drove home and researched online for my favorite chairs, reading comments, and comparing specs. That next weekend, I drove back to the store and sat in my favorites again. I walked out that day with a very comfortable chair. :)

Is your keyboard comfortable? The height of your keyboard doesn’t really matter much as long as you are comfortable. Your hands should be level with your forearms and not bent up or down making typing uncomfortable. This can actually cause injury.

Stay active

Hanging out at the water cooler or break room are favorites of office workers and even though no work is being done during those times, it can increase productivity by getting some blood flowing through the body. Sitting at a desk for 8 hours straight can be destructive rather than constructive. Use a wireless printer and set it up in another room, work on your laptop away from your desk while relaxing on the porch or get a handsfree headset and make your business calls while on the exercise bike.

There is a place for everything

Is your monitor at eye level? Your neck will quickly become tired trying to hold your head in any unnatural position of up or down. Trying finding some books or monitor stand to raise your monitor if you find yourself look down.

Paperwork, pens, magazines, books, and anything else office related will pile up on my desk making for easy distractions. If you have the same problem and find yourself trying to find a place for everything, try a filing cabinet or desk organizers you can find at your local office supply store. Whatever you do, don’t let these things sit directly in front of you. Set them off to the left or right.

I think most people like an office with a view. If you are one of those people, don’t set your desk facing the window. The contrasting light can confuse your retina which can lead to some serious headaches. Try using a smaller L shaped desk in the corner or point your desk towards the middle of the room with your back to the wall. Most LCD monitors are low glare so any light from the windows shouldn’t be an issue.

Daylight stay bright

I have seen seriously under lit home business offices. This is like putting the nail in the coffin. I actually do most of my work during the midnight hours and although it’s pitch black outside of my office windows. It’s like pure daylight on the inside. I stopped at the hardware store and purchased several energy efficient ‘Daylight’ bulbs that screw directly into my lamps. Say goodbye to those nasty dim yellow bulbs that are a real mood killer and replace them with the Daylight bulbs. It might be a weird adjustment at first but you will find yourself more productive in no time

Avoid using down facing light fixtures. These can create glare for your eyes causing them to strain. Not a good thing. Instead, use up facing lamps and bounce the light off walls and ceiling. This will fully illuminate the room in an indirect way.

Bottom Line

How can your home business generate leads or sell more products if you are uncomfortable, cumbersome, cluttered, and under maintained? It can’t. In short, your home business can be more effective and efficient if you take care of yourself and your work environment. Done right and you will see your productivity drastically increase.

About Clifton Hatfield

I am a family man. My wife and I are both web developers and parents to our beautiful boys. I have been working with social networks since 2004 and blogging even longer. After building niche networks of over 400,000 members, I have genuinely gained knowledge of how they have grown over the years and have influenced the way people interact on the internet. My hobbies include writing Facebook Applications and Wordpress Plugins. In my free time, I love a glass of wine with my wife or playing in the yard our boys. Nothing means more to me than my family.

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