Today, we’re continuing our series on upgrading or moving your office. We’ve talked about pricing, one of the most important factors in deciding whether to get an outside office. However, today’s topic can also be a make-or-break factor.

We’re talking about the location of your office. As they say in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.

Let’s think about this from two angles. The first angle is for those of you considering getting an outside office.

Obviously, the neighborhood of the office is a factor. But mostly, I want you to think about the distance from your home. How far are you willing to commute to an office?

For years, I drove 25 minutes each way to the college where I taught. That was a perfect distance because I could listen to almost an hour of podcasts every day or dictate a bunch of writing.

Your mileage may vary. Before renting an office, you need to decide how far you’re willing to drive. Knowing this ahead of time helps narrow down your options. My current office is just a two-minute drive from my home. I’m glad I held out for something that is ultra-convenient.

Now let’s think about the second angle, which is for those of you working from home. Location can be a factor for you, too. My home office started in a spare bedroom upstairs in our house. Then, as my son got older, he wanted a bigger room, so we switched.

In the last year, I seriously considered building an office in our basement just to have more of a separation between work and home. And I may still do that at some point if I decide to work from home again in the future.

Maybe you don’t have an extra bedroom for an office in your house. Even if you currently write at the kitchen table, is there any other space in your home you could use for a writing area? Could you convert a little nook somewhere? Could you set up an area in your garage or basement? You always have options for creating a writing area you like better.

It’s also worth remembering that many famous writers have only worked with a typewriter or computer and a random desk. At the end of the day, all you really need is something to write, and something to write with. But if you can support your writing with a better location, then so much the better.

Today’s Challenge: Think about where you currently write. Is there a better location, either in a separate office away from your home, or by improving or switching locations at home?