How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation?

Kate B · 08-18-2009, 07:21 AM

I was just wondering how all of you set up your workspace and if you find that it affects your motivation?

I'm relatively new to working from home - I moved back to Australia after a long working holiday overseas, and I've been unable to pick up work, so I figured I was at the point I had absolutely nothing to lose.

When I started out I was sat on the futon in front of my cardboard box coffee table (we've just moved in and our apartment is still looking pretty empty, but we're getting there slowly!). I was uncomfortable and I found it hard to concentrate. As a consequence I was easily distracted and I didn't get a whole lot done!

Recently we've bought ourselves a dining table, so now I've set myself up there. I've got my laptop on the table and I keep the cordless phone next to me during the day along with my mobile. I also set up a small stationary cupboard in our spare room to keep everything neat and tidy. Already my productivity has more than doubled! Next step for me is a desk!

How does everyone else have their workspace? How do you function best? In silence, alone, with music or the TV going in the background?

Just curious, and I thought it might even be helpful for other newbies such as myself

metafever · 08-18-2009, 09:30 AM

Segment your home office from your home life.

Get a space that is separate from your living, and set that space up as a solid working environment.

Don't work from a folding table and folding chair . . . instead make your space look like a real office.

la dominatrix · 08-18-2009, 09:33 AM

My working area is an office, it is in my home, but no one dares entering it without knocking. I keep the door closed so I can concentrate and I always work in silence, but that does not mean that others cannot be very productive with music,......i cant
La dominatrix

John_Paduchak · 08-18-2009, 09:58 AM

My home office is an office where I can close the door. I also have a rolltop desk in a corner of my living room where I can work and socialize. A rolltop makes a great laptop workspace because I can roll the top down when I'm done and roll it back up to right where I left off. You definately want to have set spaces for work at home and keep them orderly, because a messy workspace can suck the life right out of you.

John

Fernando Veloso · 08-18-2009, 10:27 AM

My home office is just like every other office: desk, comfortable chair, 2 monitors, cable tv (media freak here), stereo, message boards, one chair to guests, printer, etc etc

Very important to keep office organized as possible.

I started working in living room some years ago, with a old laptop... but then decided it was time to invest in real office furniture. It's amazing how something simple as furniture can change your focus and ability to put more effort into your business.

And the changes impress your customers too, even when they just see your office in a webcam chat.

digitalboyz · 08-18-2009, 01:20 PM

agreed with metafever

I have experience this before, work and home living mix together, very bad result I can say.

Now my condition is work place segmented, no disturb from outsider even family members.

Another thing I keep my table clean and put something that motivate me. White board with what I want to achieve can't be missed.

Jack Chua · 08-19-2009, 12:52 AM

My own opinion is make some area in your home like an office which is conducive to working. Like I always do or have my work done if my area is not that messy, things are in order and accessible from where I sit. I can have some music to stimulate me and fair temperature of course.

Web Prodigy · 08-19-2009, 02:03 AM

Workspace is very important for any human. If you work in a small space you can't work well. If you workspace is large and you have some nice colours and a nice desk you can't concentrate better and time will pass faster.

Maryleena · 08-19-2009, 02:33 AM

I just have a desk in my livingroom...But it is a big desk...Sometimes I have to wach my children while I woork so it's the best way for me.

08-18-2009, 07:21 AM	#1
Kate B Warrior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 10 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation? I was just wondering how all of you set up your workspace and if you find that it affects your motivation? I'm relatively new to working from home - I moved back to Australia after a long working holiday overseas, and I've been unable to pick up work, so I figured I was at the point I had absolutely nothing to lose. When I started out I was sat on the futon in front of my cardboard box coffee table (we've just moved in and our apartment is still looking pretty empty, but we're getting there slowly!). I was uncomfortable and I found it hard to concentrate. As a consequence I was easily distracted and I didn't get a whole lot done! Recently we've bought ourselves a dining table, so now I've set myself up there. I've got my laptop on the table and I keep the cordless phone next to me during the day along with my mobile. I also set up a small stationary cupboard in our spare room to keep everything neat and tidy. Already my productivity has more than doubled! Next step for me is a desk! How does everyone else have their workspace? How do you function best? In silence, alone, with music or the TV going in the background? Just curious, and I thought it might even be helpful for other newbies such as myself

08-18-2009, 09:30 AM	#2
metafever makemoney War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Internet Posts: 581 Thanks: 40 Thanked 101 Times in 28 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation? Segment your home office from your home life. Get a space that is separate from your living, and set that space up as a solid working environment. Don't work from a folding table and folding chair . . . instead make your space look like a real office.
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08-18-2009, 09:33 AM	#3
la dominatrix Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Malaga Spain. Posts: 507 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 108 Thanked 86 Times in 70 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation? My working area is an office, it is in my home, but no one dares entering it without knocking. I keep the door closed so I can concentrate and I always work in silence, but that does not mean that others cannot be very productive with music,......i cant La dominatrix
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08-18-2009, 09:58 AM	#4
John_Paduchak Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hudson, NH Posts: 76 Thanks: 45 Thanked 11 Times in 9 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation? My home office is an office where I can close the door. I also have a rolltop desk in a corner of my living room where I can work and socialize. A rolltop makes a great laptop workspace because I can roll the top down when I'm done and roll it back up to right where I left off. You definately want to have set spaces for work at home and keep them orderly, because a messy workspace can suck the life right out of you. John

08-18-2009, 10:27 AM	#5
Fernando Veloso Portuguese Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Good Old Europe Posts: 3,488 Blog Entries: 6 Thanks: 1,311 Thanked 810 Times in 556 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation? My home office is just like every other office: desk, comfortable chair, 2 monitors, cable tv (media freak here), stereo, message boards, one chair to guests, printer, etc etc Very important to keep office organized as possible. I started working in living room some years ago, with a old laptop... but then decided it was time to invest in real office furniture. It's amazing how something simple as furniture can change your focus and ability to put more effort into your business. And the changes impress your customers too, even when they just see your office in a webcam chat.
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08-18-2009, 01:20 PM	#6
digitalboyz Active Warrior Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation? agreed with metafever I have experience this before, work and home living mix together, very bad result I can say. Now my condition is work place segmented, no disturb from outsider even family members. Another thing I keep my table clean and put something that motivate me. White board with what I want to achieve can't be missed.

08-19-2009, 12:52 AM	#7
Jack Chua HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 235 Thanks: 19 Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts	Re: How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation? My own opinion is make some area in your home like an office which is conducive to working. Like I always do or have my work done if my area is not that messy, things are in order and accessible from where I sit. I can have some music to stimulate me and fair temperature of course.
	Jack Chua Professional Appointment Setter

08-19-2009, 02:03 AM	#8
Web Prodigy Active Warrior Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation? Workspace is very important for any human. If you work in a small space you can't work well. If you workspace is large and you have some nice colours and a nice desk you can't concentrate better and time will pass faster.

08-19-2009, 02:33 AM	#9
Maryleena HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Denmark Posts: 99 Thanks: 9 Thanked 83 Times in 9 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How is your workspace set up and how does it affect your motivation? I just have a desk in my livingroom...But it is a big desk...Sometimes I have to wach my children while I woork so it's the best way for me.