What equipment and systems do you need in order to making working at home successful? I have already talked about creating your space to be a reflection of you, (Creating Your Working Environment) but what type of equipment and technology do you need in order to work?
Desk: When purchasing a desk, look at the space you will have and where it will sit in your office. What type of drawers does it have? Will it accommodate a keyboard for a computer?
Chair: This is a VERY important decision. Sit in the chair at the store; make sure it gives you good back support. Can you adjust the height? Can you adjust the back to lean back or sit up straight? Does it have arms? If so, will they fit under the desk? I spend a lot of time at my desk, so having a good supportive chair is a must.
Computer: Do you need a desktop or a laptop? Both? Make sure you write down what your needs are in purchasing a computer. Is your work high graphic intensive or do you need it for simple Internet connection and some word processing? Do you travel or work away from home?
I currently have just a laptop, which I hook up to a docking station when I am home. The docking station has my keyboard, speakers, printer, backup hard drive, etc. hooked up to it, so all I have to do is plug in my laptop and I am ready to go. I can unplug and move into the kitchen, living room, or be ready to travel whenever I want. This set up works for me because I am in the process of “Creating My Lifestyle.” (Creating Your Lifestyle)
Keyboard: This is also a very important piece of office equipment. I have an ergonomic split keyboard. Again, I spend a lot of time on the computer and was starting to have problems with my wrists. This has been one of the best purchases I have made. It took me about a week to get used to the split keyboard and now no more aching wrists!
Printer: There are so many types of printers and choosing can be hard. Do you do a lot of printing and need speed? Do you print out pictures, so quality and color are important? Do you work in other areas of your house, and need wireless capability?
Look at what your printing needs and then find a computer that fits those needs. I used to do payroll for a large company and switched to a laser black and white printer. My printing time went from 2 hours to about 15 minutes! The color laser was more than I needed at the time, so I purchased the laser black and white printer and also a wireless color printer that is great for color printing and pictures. Both printers were cheaper than one color laser printer at the time.
White Board: This is a great piece of equipment for your office – write your goals, track them, post motivational quotes, planning, brainstorming…so many uses!
Other items for your office:
Adding Machine, Telephone, File Holders, Filing Cabinets.
Getting the right equipment for your productivity needs is just another step in creating your foundation for success!
To Your Success,
- Debbie Franklin, co-Founder, Razorr International, LLC
