Home Sweet Home Office

We cannot always be in the comfort of our home office. When I am out and about there are usually chunks of time that gets wasted between appointments. I stay prepared to take advantage of that time. Here are 5 Tips that I use almost everyday.

1. Take it with you bag – this bag does not have to be fancy, in fact you want it to be simple, roomy and lightweight. I see a lot of people carrying those “green” bags to Wal-Mart. These bags are perfect as a “take it with you bag”.

2. List of to-dos - Keep a running list of things you need to do within the next 3 days. This can be on paper, in a PDA or cell phone. Paying bills, returning phone calls, making phone calls, write a letter or make out a shopping list. Include any supplies necessary to complete tasks.

3. Supplies - Keep supplies stashed in the “take it with you bag” – Stamps, coins, a notepad, a few envelopes, an ink pen and a few large paper clips will get you through those last minute emergencies. Have your supplies ready for when an appointments provides a little extra time in your day. Arrive a little early and spend that extra 15 minutes being productive. In my experience most appointments do not start on time. That extra 15 minutes could turn in to 30-45 minutes.

4. Mail – Include a folder to place new mail in. This is especially important if you receive your mail away from home. I have a PO box and a small piece of mail can easily get dropped so I always have a folder or my “take it with me bag” handy. I keep a small trash bag tucked inside as well in case I get time to open and sort my mail. I am careful to take papers with personal information home to shred them.

5. Write and answer emails – This is easy to do with a cell phone. If there is an email that I need to keep a record of I will forward it to myself. Emails on my cell phone are set to stay on the server so I can download it when I get back to my home office.

Even if you are not interested in working away from your desk the “take it with you bag” is a must. If you load the bag the night before you will not forget items you need during the next day. Inevitably I get distracted as I walk out the door. That is the time that I forget things – but not my bag.