In a previous 4 part series that started here, I wrote about using your PC and workstation ergonomically and how to avoid getting repetitive stress injuries (RSI) and also how to protect your kids from getting PC-related injuries as well. In two other articles, one on data storage here and the other on disaster recovery here , I covered data protection, security and storage issues.
In this follow up, I"m just recapping what you may have forgotten or dismissed as not being all that important on all the previously mentioned issues above. In addition, I"ll also tackle some of the attitudes that may hinder your work flow at home.

If you focus so much on the acquisition of new prospects you forget to back-up or protect your data, consider the blow to your business if your data is compromised. And seriously, I hope you"re taking care of yourself. If you"re focusing on your business to the point that you"re neglecting your health and comfort, think of the possible hospital bills in your future once the stuff you shrugged off as not urgent comes back and bites you, hard.



When you commit to make money at home, it's just as important to prepare a good working environment for yourself as it is to get a product and find a market for it.

If you have space, but aren"t physically organized, you will find your work can reflect a casual attitude and you may create more stress for yourself. Some of the factors that must be considered when you"re setting up your work place are lighting, wiring, furniture and security. Here are a few tips to help you establish a great working environment.

Lighting
Proper lighting in your home working area is just as important as it is in an office. Spending hours at a time in a dimly lit work space can create eyestrain which left ignored after long periods, could lead to more serious problems later on.

Ideally, you should be able to adjust the light level so that you have a mixture of natural and artificial lighting where you work. Lighting levels at different times of the day and night can mean the difference between eye strain with accompanying headaches and blurred vision and a stress free environment. You should look into the value of long life light bulbs for savings over the years of use. The softer light emitted by some bulbs also make eye strain less likely.

Furniture
The basics of the furniture that you use in a home office are important. You‘ll almost inevitably need a computer to make money at home and so also a computer desk on which to place the computer equipment.
Be sure to leave enough leeway so that the computer peripherals are also easily reachable. Is the area well ventilated and dust free? All of that computer equipment needs to "breath" to remain cool and function properly. If you have ever "fried" a computer you know how important it is to keep the fan clean and dust free.

You"ll need a good chair that supports your back and hips correctly, particularly if you are working at the computer for extended periods. For something new in the way of back-support, try visiting Nada and see if their Nada-chairs can help.

You will need other furniture such as cabinets and work tables in order to stay organized. If you"re a DIY enthusiast, you may want to check out Tom Miller"s Woodware Designs ("Plans for low-stress computer furniture you can build") and see what you can adapt to your unique needs. He also has free plans available for desks, shop furniture and more.

Wiring

In addition to having a phone handy for business purposes, you will also require phone access for your modem (or DSL/broadband access). You may also consider a separate telephone line for your business. For tax purposes, it"s much easier to track telephone business expenses if you have a separate phone line.

It"s also important that your clients can reach you. If your clients have to compete with your teenagers telephone habits, chances are they will call someone else. Make certain that this separate line is set up to receive phone calls while you are online. Most major telephone companies now offer that service. You may pay a few extra dollars a month for it, but it will pay for itself over the long haul.

Space and Privacy

You want your office to be as isolated as possible. Can you imagine trying to speak with a client or hammer out business details with kids screaming and your dog barking in the background? Not a very professional picture.

If you have no choice but to have your office in a high traffic area, adjust your work schedule to coincide with family activities. Sit your family down and explain the importance of your work and why you need their cooperation. It won"t always work out that way but at least it"s a step in the right direction.

It goes without saying that you need to have normal office supplies. Even if your work is online you still need the pens, pencils, note pads and so on.

One of the stickiest challenges you may encounter comes from your friends. People who do not work from home seem to think that if you do, you have all the time in the world to visit. This can become a major problem if you do not set the ground rules. Setting out the rules is important to the overall health and well being of your business. Let your friends and extended family know your business hours and explain to them that you are not available during those periods of time. The sooner you do this the better.

Conduct your business in a professional manner. Just because you work at home does not mean that you should throw out the rule book. Maybe you have read the humorous comment about "working in your pajamas. It sounds good in sales messages, but the truth is you are much better off if you awaken in the morning and prepare yourself for your work day as if you were still trekking off to the office, because you are.

You will be much better prepared to focus and get down to business if you dress the part. That doesn"t mean that you need to squeeze into the normal "office" attire. It does mean that you set the standards for your business and much of that has to do with "mindset" and self-image. Dressing comfortably is a one of the serendipities of working at home, but you will be much better prepared for business if you dress the part.

Security
The security of your documents, correspondence, financial transactions and other computer files are critical if you plan to earn money from home. With the constant threats to the integrity of computer systems and computer files -- either directly or through internet hackers -- you have to be able to assure customers that their sensitive information will never be compromised by any action you take. You must also be certain that you don't allow children or pets to destroy critical documents related to your online business. A third area of security is that of protecting vital information needed for business and tax purposes. Use good security practices on the internet.
A final word of advice for the new work-at-home entrepreneur: Having your office right down the hall can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse. Remember to take time out for yourself. Most people believe that working at home comes with certain privileges, and it does. However, it can also become all-consuming and take total control of your life.

Don"t allow that to happen. Create your schedule and live by it. Make sure you turn off the lights, shut down the computer and "go home" at the end of your work day.