Creating a home office
Going freelance and working from home
Undeniably, having the opportunity to turn tail on office blocks, uncomfortable commutes, suits and awkward water cooler moments is something we’ve all dreamed of. Going freelance is not a luxury available to everyone (or we’d all be doing it) but sometimes the opportunity can arise. In industries such a journalism and publishing working as a freelancer can be beneficial. With magazine sales plummeting alongside the rise of digital writing opportunities, there has been a significant increase in freelance journalism, with journalists often working on at least three publications at the same time. Working from home is an opportunity open to more people, often due to companies providing the option as a loyalty benefit or even as part of the working week. Editors, for example, are prime working from home candidates, with peace and quiet playing a big role in their day to day jobs.
Of course, going freelance doesn’t equate to working from home. There are plenty of empty desks in offices kept for freelancers. But if you are considering the freelance/working from home option, then it’s a good idea to consider some things first.
Creating your own office
Working from home demands comfortable office space but you’ve got to be in the right mood to work as well. Set yourself up properly with good
office furniture from a respected office supplies outlet such as Ryman so you feel professional at home. It is incredibly important to feel in the right frame of mind to work. Home comforts may have no place in your home office as you may choose to completely rid yourself of comforting distractions in the way of bean bag chairs, outlandish lunches or over vigorous dog walking. Investing in typical office furniture, even embossed with your own style, is a great way of cementing a working feel into your otherwise everyday surroundings.
Figure out your working hours
Desk, chair, in-tray and all other office furniture intact, the next step is working out what kind of hours you should work. If you are working as a self-employed freelancer then your day is very much your oyster. If you have experienced university or any other form of working self-discipline then you may already have a good knowledge of when you work best. Night owls beware that this cuts out your social life. Lots of freelancers opt to stick to the 9-5 working hours to encourage a good working discipline and a sense of normality. Remember also that work is work and you do need time to socialise and have a sense of dividing work and pleasure – unless you’ve happy managed to mix both.
Tax
A word of warning if you are planning to go freelance. This involves registering as self-employed with the UK tax office. You will have to prove any work you’ve done for various companies, so keep all your invoices and records. Also, keep any train tickets you may have bought as you can sometimes claim back the money you spent on travel and other necessities.
Creating a home office
Going freelance and working from home
Undeniably, having the opportunity to turn tail on office blocks, uncomfortable commutes, suits and awkward water cooler moments is something we’ve all dreamed of. Going freelance is not a luxury available to everyone (or we’d all be doing it) but sometimes the opportunity can arise. In industries such a journalism and publishing working as a freelancer can be beneficial. With magazine sales plummeting alongside the rise of digital writing opportunities, there has been a significant increase in freelance journalism, with journalists often working on at least three publications at the same time. Working from home is an opportunity open to more people, often due to companies providing the option as a loyalty benefit or even as part of the working week. Editors, for example, are prime working from home candidates, with peace and quiet playing a big role in their day to day jobs.
Of course, going freelance doesn’t equate to working from home. There are plenty of empty desks in offices kept for freelancers. But if you are considering the freelance/working from home option, then it’s a good idea to consider some things first.
Creating your own office
Working from home demands comfortable office space but you’ve got to be in the right mood to work as well. Set yourself up properly with good
office furniture from a respected office supplies outlet such as Ryman so you feel professional at home. It is incredibly important to feel in the right frame of mind to work. Home comforts may have no place in your home office as you may choose to completely rid yourself of comforting distractions in the way of bean bag chairs, outlandish lunches or over vigorous dog walking. Investing in typical office furniture, even embossed with your own style, is a great way of cementing a working feel into your otherwise everyday surroundings.
Figure out your working hours
Desk, chair, in-tray and all other office furniture intact, the next step is working out what kind of hours you should work. If you are working as a self-employed freelancer then your day is very much your oyster. If you have experienced university or any other form of working self-discipline then you may already have a good knowledge of when you work best. Night owls beware that this cuts out your social life. Lots of freelancers opt to stick to the 9-5 working hours to encourage a good working discipline and a sense of normality. Remember also that work is work and you do need time to socialise and have a sense of dividing work and pleasure – unless you’ve happy managed to mix both.
Tax
A word of warning if you are planning to go freelance. This involves registering as self-employed with the UK tax office. You will have to prove any work you’ve done for various companies, so keep all your invoices and records. Also, keep any train tickets you may have bought as you can sometimes claim back the money you spent on travel and other necessities.