1. Select a room or area in your house from which to work.
You may prefer to have access to a large window to check out the view and weather or you may prefer a private area with no window. Ensure that there is good lighting at your desk. Invest in a good desk lamp if needed.
2. Have a comfortable chair and suitable desk.
Get the ergonomics correct for comfort. If you Google Ergonomics in Australia, you will find great hints for home office setup techniques. A large desk is best or use two small desks so that there is plenty of room for your printer, computer and paperwork.
3. Have the phone sitting on your desktop or close by. You may want to check Skype or Google out for making cheaper phone calls for your business or get a good deal on STD calls from your landline provider.
4. Tell friends and family that you work from home and have certain hours that you abide by. They will still ask you to mind their sick child or want to drop in for a cuppa to discuss their badly behaved teenager, but you need to stick by your work times. After all, you wouldn't take time off from the office for those reasons.
5. It may be easier to pretend each working day that you are actually going out to work so that you become more organised.
Get dressed and have breakfast before 9am. Do some housework intermittently while working as it will give you a short break from the computer. Going for a short walk around your yard or fetching the mail is a good way to get some fresh air. This will ensure that you stay fresh for better work production.
6. If you have small children, arrange for day care or have a nanny take charge at home for you. If you are on a tight budget when starting, ask another mum to swap childminding with you. She might want her children minded during the afternoon or at night and take your child/children through the day.
7. Be sure to stop working at a reasonable time. You can fall into working long hours when it is not necessary. Tomorrow is another day, so leave that phone call or article writing until then.
Good luck with your home business, stay motivated and enjoy the experience. The main thing to take on board is that your home based job deserves the same dedication and attention as any other type of work. Become a lucrative and productive home based worker by following these tips.