Making the big decision to become an entrepreneur is one requiring drive, determination and confidence. Running your business from home, with your house as the base of operations, is an animal of an entirely different species. If you are not successful in handling your business from home, your confidence in your decision to go rogue and be your own boss can be seriously shaken.
As a professional, you already understand that organization is one of the key components to the success of any venture. Thankfully, there are new tools that you can pack in your toolkit to help you also stay well-rested, healthy and stimulated -- making work-at-home life a little easier.
Blackout Blinds
Staying up late into all hours of the night to catch up because you don't have to punch a time clock in the morning or rise early, is an easy way to exhaust yourself. You need to be well-rested and your environment must be conducive to your need for sleep regardless of the time of day.
Blackout blinds are ideal for the business owner who needs to grab some shut-eye during the daylight hours. Blackout blinds cover the window completely and are well-sealed, so there will be no bright rays of sunshine peeking through while you sleep. Blackoutblinds.ca (created by an entrepreneur), offers an effective product created especially for those in need of sleep during daytime hours. Whether your business requires shift work or you are a night owl with the height of your productivity occurring at night, these will help you get the rest you need whenever you need it.
Treadmill Desks
There is an inclination for entrepreneurs to become more relaxed in their work-at-home space than they would in a typical office environment. For example, I'm writing this while curled up on my bed in my pyjamas.
Many health reports though, tell us that sitting for extended periods of time is not good for your overall health. Apparently our bodies were made to move.
The Lifespan treadmill desk takes the idea of moving around while at work one step beyond the sit to stand desks (which we will discuss below). With the treadmill speed set ideally at less than two miles per hour, they offer ample space to accommodate your laptop or monitor and keyboard (though jogging and typing simultaneously is not advised), as well as smartphone and other desk utensils.
You decide when you want to walk or stand while working. So, instead of reaching for a sugary snack around your 3 p.m. afternoon slump, you can jog to re-energize your mind, finishing your work day on a healthy and even more productive note.
While these treadmill desks can take up a lot of space, if you have the room, it is a worthy investment.
Sit to Stand Work Space
Maybe you are not so inclined to enjoy the advantages of the treadmill desks, but you still do not want to acquire the fabled "secretary's spread" from sitting at your desk all day.
The height adjustable sit-to-stand Varidesk is a great option for those looking to move around more while working. This is the height adjustable base that can be placed on top of your desk and raised or lowered, accommodating your need to sit or stand at various periods during your work day. This style has room for single or dual monitors, keyboard and note-taking.
Gadgets Galore
There are a ton of fun but functional gadgets to bring more ease into your world and break up the monotony without taking you off course for the day.
The portable clip-on cup holder clips to your desk, allowing you to remove your cup from your work surface, leaving you more space and eliminating spills.
If you are a coffee loving entrepreneur, you will love the time-saving battery-operated self-stirring mug that eliminates the need for spoons and stirrers. And heat sensitive coffee mugs tell you when your beverage is hot and changes as it cools.
Establishing your boundaries to separate your business hours from the daily meanderings of home life is key to your sanity. The aesthetics and functionality of your work at home space will encourage your productivity and help to keep you on task. Ensuring that you have all the business tools, technology and gadgets you need, you are setting yourself up for complete work-from-home entrepreneurial success.
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