One of the best things about freelancing is that you can literally work from anywhere. As a result a big part of freelancing or running your own business is being able to find a space where you can let the creative juices flow and get some work done. This is of course easier for some than others who may be more picky – case in point, me.
For instance, I know for a fact that I can’t get anything done in a coffee shop. I get way too distracted and I’m one of those people who will talk to anybody. I also learned in college that I cannot work in the same room where I sleep – I either want to take a nap or I can’t sleep later on because I’m too busy thinking about work. If I worked in the library it would have to be in the one spot where I thought the lighting was perfect for me.
I basically have to find a space where I feel comfortable but can still focus. Above all I need a space where I don’t need to pay rent for an office. My favorite space to work during the winter is outside. Since I live in Florida I can take full advantage of the beautiful weather and work outside on my porch – so long as the neighbors aren’t making a ton of noise with their yard work.
As for the rest of the year, I work out of a newly designed (and not yet finished) office/library that used to be a family room. I can put everything I need in there – from reference books to files and it’s even nice enough for Skype meetings.
Everyone of course has a different idea of what a perfect workspace entails, but there are a few things you should keep in mind when deciding where to park your mobile office.
Basic Needs for Your Freelance Office
Many of you are working from laptops or computers. Some of you are making crafts and selling them on Etsy. Whatever the case may be, you need a space where you can lay out the materials that you need – be it a computer or a canvas.
You also need to find a space that isn’t a high traffic area. Not very many people can focus when there are people constantly walking in and out. A spare room in your house is perfect for this kind of stuff. Some people even go as far as just picking out a corner in their apartment as their work space. Or, you can work from your garage like Steve Jobs did when he created the Apple computer (RIP).
Materials You May Need
Depending on the kind of work you’re doing you may need something like a fax machine or separate phone line. That way you can keep track of orders or clients can easily contact you if need be.
I personally stick to email and Google Voice but different people have different preferences.
Organizing Business Documents
This is an often overlooked aspect of freelancing – especially for beginners. Take me for example, I’d been freelancing for six months before I even realized I really needed to start keeping track of stuff like how much income was coming in.
Make sure to have some sort of organized system that keeps track of your freelancing documents. To give you an idea, I use a small hanging file box from Target and organize invoices, paypal statements and pay stubs. I also have separate folders for tax returns and any deductions I may be able to make. If you deal with contracts you will definitely want to keep those filed as well.
The file box is so handy I just stick it on a shelf in my home office and voila! In the blink of an eye I’ve got easily accessible and organized files for all my freelancing and tax needs.
Clutter Free is The Way to Be
Believe it or not clutter can really stress you out. It’s really amazing how cluttered surroundings can affect the mind and make it difficult to focus. It’s also a pain in the ass when you need to find something and have no idea where you put it.
Keep your space as clutter free as possible! Trust me, it does make a difference.
Decorate!
Who said offices needed to be boring? It’s your space to create so make it shine with your personality! I haven’t personally gotten around to this part yet but I plan on decorating the home office with some of my favorite books and past art work.
Where do you prefer to work? How do you create the perfect workspace?
I am pretty picky about my location of a study/work area too. I can’t focus in a coffee shop or other public place, or in my bedroom because all I want to do is sleep, like you. Finding the right kind of location and atmosphere is really important.
You make a great point about being organized with any documents and files. Lots of freelancers or those with side businesses don’t properly document their income/deductions and they could be leaving money on the table come tax time.
CLUTTER! Omg I hate clutter, it totally slows down my mind and my creative juices get completely stopped up.
Love this post, thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I glad you enjoyed! It’s nice to know there are other people out there as picky about workspace as I am
We have a high desk that you can stand at & work, or sit on bar height chairs. I have a big blank wall that I use for sticky notes and some ribbon boards for ideas & clips I want to think about. It’s important to me that I have natural light. I can’t always work outside but I feel natural light is more soothing and comfortable than artificial light.
I completely agree with the natural lighting! And if I’m working in the evening I have to use one of those non-flourescent lights otherwise it drives me mad (sorry environment).
I love freelancing! I’m actually out on the west coast for a family wedding this week and was able to keep up with clients and publish in between family events, it was awesome! I still have a lot to fine tune (like getting my workspace organized, but it’s coming together and the flexibility is amazing!
Ah congrats! I love freelancing as well
Nothing like making your own money on your terms haha.
Oh I hear you on the clutter issue. I have a specific space set up in my house for working and it’s always a mess of notebooks, pay stubs and the like. I’ve got to get it under control one of these days!
Ah Ada that would drive me crazy! LOL. I think I’m traumatized from dorm life and that’s how i became an anti-clutter freak.