Making it work

If you're trying to juggle earning an income, the kids' extracurricular activities and your own personal time, you know it seems like there aren't enough hours in the day to get it all done. More and more women are tackling at least part of their workload from home to ease the stress of an overloaded schedule. Three years ago, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 15 percent of Americans work at least one day a week from home, and that number is on the rise.

If you're among those who take your work home -- or run a home-based business -- you need a comfortable but functional home office. You need a work space that allows you to be productive, but still stay connected to your family and other obligations. There are several ways to achieve this, according to Jennifer Cramer of Organized for Business in Falmouth, and at her Web site, www.bizorganized.com.

First things first: Pick a good spot for your work space.

"If they have several rooms to choose from -- even if it's not a room they don't use for an office now -- they should pick the room they enjoy being in," says Cramer.

That means, consider putting a small desk or table in a corner of the living room if you're comfortable there, or even in a nook in the kitchen. As long as the space is a designated work space, and you like it, it can be functional. Picking a section of a frequently-used room is beneficial to those who must stay in touch with children or other family members, but it can be distracting to others.

Once your space is selected, make it all about you, says Cramer.

"You want to create a space that's pretty, and has color," she says.

Even if the work area is tiny, hang a pleasing piece of art on the wall so that you enjoy being there.

Keeping the space ergonomically correct is essential to your comfort if you work for long periods at a time. Your feet should lay flat on the floor, with your hips and knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Your wrists should be in a neutral position when typing, and your computer monitor should be positioned so that you are looking slightly below eye level. Buy an adjustable chair and adjust your monitor as necessary to make your work space comfortable.

Take a look at how light affects your work space at different times of day. You may need to install a shade on a window if the sunlight shines right in your eyes, or if there is significant glare on your computer monitor.

Maintaining an organized desk is the key to being efficient. This is especially vital if you share a work space with a spouse or other member of the family.

The most important aspects of staying organized, according to Cramer, are the right environment, tools to sort and file, good habits and maintenance.

"Every piece of paper that comes across your desk is a decision to make," Cramer says.

What should be on your desk at any given time? Your computer, obviously, the work you are currently working on, a phone and a cup or other organizer with basic office supplies. If your phone is corded, put it on the left side of your desk if you're right handed, and vice-versa. That way, you can continue typing while using the phone.

You should have an "action file" of things that need to get done in the next week or two. Paperwork should be organized in vertical hanging files or a rolling cart, not in horizontal stacks on your desk. If you have piles of papers, you have no idea what needs to get done by what date.

In addition, maintain one daily planner, a master calendar or schedule for all of your family's appointments, and a system for keeping addresses and other contact information. Come to an agreement with family members on a location where they can leave you notes and other important papers, such as on your chair or your keyboard. Cramer also recommends a pad of paper that you keep as a master list, writing all things important in one location. This way, you don't have a dozen sticky notes posted all over the place.

To keep excess paperwork in check, get a small shredder and use it. Buy a bigger waste basket so paper doesn't end up on the floor, and so you can empty it less often.

"Maintenance is really the cornerstone," of having an organized home office, Cramer says.

Set up your work space to maximize function and comfort, and actually sitting down to get your work done might not seem so bad.