So far, we’ve talked about the factors of pricing and location. Now let’s dive into something hard to define, but still important when you are considering the quality of your office space: the environment.

I’m referring to two things: the physical environment, as well as the emotional and social one.

The physical environment is the area around your office. Do you like the neighborhood? Is it safe and well-kept? Does the office space have amenities like a kitchen, copier, clean bathrooms, or a parking lot with good access?

The emotional and social environment is also important. What are the people like? Are they friendly? If it’s a co-working space, are they keen on helping each other? Do you like the general vibe?

A couple of years ago, when I knew I was leaving my college job, I checked out a local co-working space in the next town over. I immediately got a snobbish vibe, like the owners thought they were the coolest cats in town. I didn’t feel welcomed.

On the other hand, last year I rented an office at a different co-working space for a month and loved it. The people were super friendly and the vibe of the space was fantastic. They held a lot of community events at their space and it was clear they really cared about people.

However, I didn’t rent an office there because the only ones they had available were slightly bigger than a shoe box. Another checkmark against that space was their policy that you could only work there during business hours. That was a big NO in my book because I often like to work on Saturday mornings or, occasionally, in the evening.

I like the vibe of the space where I am now. It’s close to my house, and the owners and property manager are all super nice. Yet, it’s also a professional environment, so it has lifted me up to another level just by being in this space. In addition, I can come and go anytime I like, day or night.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that your environment doesn’t matter. It matters greatly. As much as it depends on you, choose to work and write in a space that values you and helps lift you to another level.

And if you are just fine working from home, that’s great also. But be honest with yourself: are you happy with that environment? If not, what can you do to improve it? You may want to revisit the series we just finished on clearing the clutter.

Today’s Challenge: Whether you’re working from home or considering an outside space, think about the physical and emotional environment. Is it helping you be more productive and have a better state of mind? If not, what can you do to change or improve it?

The post Office Space: What’s the Environment? appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

When I was a kid, I watched the game show “The Price is Right” all the time. The show is still on today, although Bob Barker hasn’t been the host in quite a while.

The basic idea of “The Price is Right” is that contestants have to guess the correct price of an item in order to win.

The same is true when you’re considering the price of an office outside the home. If the price isn’t right, it’s not going to work. So, the first element I want you to think about for an office is whether you can afford it.

When I was looking for an office recently, my limit was $500/month. I was not willing to spend any more than that. Fortunately, my current office is $400/month because I signed up for a longer lease period.

Hang on, though. As they say on infomercials, “But wait, there’s more!”

I’ll admit my ignorance here. When I inquired about my current office, I didn’t realize there would be other costs. Let me break it down for you.

1. There is something called “triple net,” which I’d never heard of. It means that certain costs of building upkeep are split between renters. For me, that’s about $30/month.
2. I didn’t realize I needed renter’s insurance as well. Turns out, I do! That’s another $35/month.
3. Turns out the Wi-Fi in this building is pretty bad, so if I wanted good, solid internet, I needed to have it installed myself. That’s another $60/month. I mistakenly assumed that when you rent an office, fast Wi-Fi is automatically part of the deal.

Those were all surprises to me, but there were some other costs I HAD anticipated, like the duplicate cords, cables, and office accessories I would need to set up a second office. I had most of these from my old college office, but I took the opportunity to upgrade my desk mat and Apple mouse and keyboard. I also bought a couple of bookshelves for my new office.

So, all told, I’m in for a little over $500/month, plus around $300 I’ve spent on some accessories and duplicate items for a second office.

Is it worth it? For me, it’s a no-brainer. The new sense of energy and productivity I feel has been priceless. I could never get that by staying at home all day or going from random coffee shop to random coffee shop.

The expenses I’ve listed might be out of your range right now. No worries. But I’d also ask you this: what is the price of staying in your current situation? If you don’t feel productive or happy in a home office, maybe it’s time to consider switching it up.

I also want to add that renting an office is not the only solution for working outside the home. You might also consider some businesses or churches in your area that have vacant offices and would be willing to cut a deal.

Before signing the lease on my current office, I strongly considered approaching some churches in your area about using an office a few days a week in exchange for doing some writing or content work for them. There are lots of creative solutions!

But don’t just take my word for it. Everyone’s situation is different. For me, renting an office was the right step. It might not be for you. I just ask that you consider whether you’re happy with your current work area, and what you could do to change it.

Today’s Challenge: Think about what you would be willing to spend on an office outside the home. On the flip side, if you’re not happy working from home, think about what it might be costing you in terms of mental health or productivity.

The post Office Space: Is the Price Right? appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

First, a little background. I was a college professor for almost two decades before becoming a ghostwriter, author, and writing coach. Every day, I commuted 25 minutes to school and 25 minutes back home in the afternoon.

That commute, as well as having an office outside the home, was so baked into my life that I didn’t realize how much I’d miss it when I started working in my business full-time a couple of years ago.

Working from home was fun at first. I’m saving money on gas! I can work whenever I want! I can work in my pajama pants if I choose! (Except for Zoom calls, when I would frequently have a dress shirt on top… and pajama pants on the bottom.)

But over time, especially in the last six months, I started to feel like a prisoner in my own home. Even introverts like me can only be cooped up for so long before you start to lose a sense of reality.

I had been looking for an office outside the home for a while. Then a few weeks ago, I came across a listing on Facebook marketplace for an office just down the road from my house. It was exactly what I had been looking for, so I signed a lease and moved in immediately.

Since getting a separate office, I have felt a real breath of fresh air in my mental health and mindset. I’m more focused and productive, and I’ve been able to set better boundaries on my work time.

In this short series, I want to share my experience in getting an outside office and help you think through five important factors to consider when upgrading your current home office, or getting one outside the home.

Just so you know where I’m coming from, let me shoot straight with you. I believe the idea of a bohemian “laptop lifestyle” for writers is highly overrated. Yes, you can skirt around to different coffee shops all day long, getting a little writing done here and there, but that’s not how most true professionals work. You need to have a time and place to write, as well as a routine to help you get the work done.

Your writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes place in real time and space, and within the context of your busy life. The area where you work matters greatly.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s episode, where we’ll dive into the most obvious factor you need to consider when thinking about an office space.

Today’s Challenge: Ask yourself whether you’re really content in your current writing space. Is it time to consider an upgrade or a move?

The post Office Space: Why Your Work Area Matters appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.