Cook Up Something Brilliant In Your Home Office

I’ve got a confession to make: I’m a big time foodie.  I’m that person in Sur la Table that is staring at the olive oil and balsamic vinegar section like a love sick puppy.  I like trying out new recipes and new foods.  I love the way gourmet food and kitchen stores are laid out, not to mention all of the toys in them.  To me, that joyous wonderland is a place of information and high-quality tools I need to make a masterpiece in my own kitchen.

Everything is at my fingertips.

Because I love to cook, my kitchen is stocked and laid out so everything I need is at my fingertips.  I can  also be found re-arranging it when something isn’t working right.   I get a mild case of rage when I can’t find a tool (usually put away in the wrong drawer by a well meaning family member or guest), and my perfectly seared salmon is about to turn into a burnt mess.  Know what I mean?  My kitchen is a lean, mean productivity machine, and it works best when things are in their place.

Working from home is very similar.  Tools within reach at the right time can really make things go smoothly.  Nothing kills productivity faster than tearing apart the office looking for the stapler.  I like to call it “Where-The-Heck-Is-That Rage”.  Know what I mean?  It’s ugly, and it can cost you productivity, time and even money.  In fact, let’s just agree that we don’t want to do that and talk about how we can avoid it.

Avoiding “Where-The-Heck-Is-That Rage”

1. Have a plan.  Yes, it sounds trite, but it’s really the beginning of a home office you can work in…. efficiently.  It’s as simple as knowing where the phone is, the computer and other supplies.  They need a home, so give them one.

2. Set things up to suit the heaviest user in the office.  Most cases (and I’m guessing you’re reading this because of it) you are the heaviest user of your home office.  So, don’t structure your home office layout according to where the kids toys or extra storage will fit.  You officially have permission to make some executive decisions.  Take control of the space, and trust me, you’ll feel much better in the end.

3. Do it, and do it now.  Set aside some time to get your home office in shape.  There will never be time, because we have to make it.  Chances are, you know what you need to do in your home office, you just gotta do it.  Put it on your calendar, right now.

4. Take small steps everyday.  Just like a recipe, there are small things you need to do in your home office to make a whole picture.  You need paper, so make sure you’re stocked.  You need pens, make sure you have them.  You need a desk to work on, make sure you can see the surface of it.  You have bills to pay, make sure they are where you can find them.  Get the picture?

You may not be a foodie, but you are probably a entreprenuer-ie or a telecommuter-ie or a working-your-passion-ie (yes, I just made that up).  You’re passionate about what you do, so make sure your home office is conducive to getting that done.

Now, go cook up something brilliant!