Work from Home Checklist

Think Before You Work

• Can you handle working from home? This question is tougher than it soundsTry a few "practice days" before you make your final decision.
• Will you be working from home occasionally, part-time, or full-time? This will affect both your ultimate decision and possibly your approach to the task, as well as any budgeting concerns.
• Make a list of the pros and consWill you be saving money, or spending more on office supplies? If you're a freelancer, you'll have to open an IRA, and also consider health insurance. These factors should all be taken in to consideration.

Home Office Essentials

• A quiet room or personal area with enough space for all your suppliesThis should be ;separate ;or partitioned off from the rest of your home, a place where you can work undisturbed.
• Laptop or desktop computerBoth are good, but if you have to pick, a laptop may be your best bet, since it's portable.
• A desk and comfortable adjustable desk chair.
• Pens, pencils, and any other necessary writing tools
• Legal pads or notebooks; paper
• Memo pads/sticky notes
• Printer and paper
• Dry-erase board with markers
• Bulletin board with pins
• Filing cabinet with file foldersIf you run a business out of home, this ;may be necessary.
• Specialty tools of your tradeThis could be a draft board with a place to stash blueprints, or a dressmaker's dummy. Whatever it is you need for your job, you better make sure you have it!

Working Effectively from Home

• Ensure your work space is conducive to workingThis sounds like a no-brainer, but if you don't set up an office environment that allows you to comfortably work and stay focused, you won't be productive.
• Schedule your dayIn order stay motivated and productive, you need a structured routine so you can effectively manage your ;tasks, especially if you have deadlines to meet.
• Track your TimeMonitor how much time is spent not working. What are you doing, and how much does it detract from your work schedule?
• Avoid checking personal email or visiting social networking sites during work hoursThis can distract you for hours, and will inevitably cost you your day...and possibly your job.
• Stay ConnectedIf you work from home full-time, it's easy to lose contact with family and friends. Set aside time during the day (during a break, for example) to call or email close contacts...stay in the loop.
• Take breaksEven working from home entitles you to a respite from your desk. Just be sure it's a reasonable break, and you use it wisely.
• Change your sceneryIf you're going stir crazy, it's ok to step out for a walk, or bring your work with you - take your laptop to a coffee shop or favorite place and work from there for an hour or two.