If you didn’t already know that freelancing and independent contracting was the working method of the future, recent statistics released by the econsultancy.com website have confirmed this. Not only is there a growing demand for freelancers across various niches such as content creation and digital marketing, for example, but a staggering 20% of all British graduates have already freelanced and marketed their skills as an independent contractor.
In fact, there is even a growing trend for students and those in higher education freelancing while they are actively pursuing their graduation goals. While this may not be suitable for everyone, it can certainly be profitable. It also provides students with practical experience of managing others, working independently and experience in their chosen market.
How to create a more Productive Home Office as a Student
While it may be easier and more common for students to launch business ventures as a way of generating income and gaining experience of a specific market, it must be done well if it is to achieve carefully defined goals. So, here are three relatively simple steps towards creating a productive home office that empowers you to work efficiently:
Develop a Professional Infrastructure
Regardless of the size or scope of your student venture, it is imperative that your home office has some semblance of a professional infrastructure. This not only applies to the way in which you organize your space and workload, however, but also the processes that you have in place for answering telephone calls, responding to emails and actively completing tasks. Software can lend a helping hand in this respect, especially in terms of call handling and capturing voice mails during lecture times.
In fact, it is possible to source affordable and readily accessible switchboards to create a professional telephone service that optimizes efficiency.
Organize Your Layout
We have already touched on the importance of your home office layout, and there are steps that you need to take to maximize this space. Firstly, a clutter-free environment is proven to be conducive to a clear and decisive mind, so it is crucial that you clear your floor space and allow ample room for unrestricted movement. Your desk space will also need to be organized carefully, as you look to ensure that draws and filing cabinets are used in a logical manner and categorized accordingly. This may seem like a small detail, but it helps to separate work from study materials and can make a huge difference during busy periods.
Plan Your Time Wisely
Last but not least, your ability to plan and organize your time also underpins an efficient and successful home office. It can be challenging working at home in the first instance due to the presence of distractions, and it becomes even more difficult when you are disorganized in your approach to time management. By creating a schedule that is carefully thought-out and allows ample time for the completion of both work-related and academic projects, you can work more efficiently in the space provided. Some sacrifices may be required, however, and you must be prepared to spend a great deal of time in your home office.
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