Home Office Do's and Don'ts

If you intend to give up a real office to work at home. Here are tips for doing it right.

• Pick a conductive work area. Setting up shop in the bedroom or kitchen won't work. The best choice is a room with a door to serve exclusively as your home office, even if it's just a small storage space at the back of the house.

• Establish house rules. Set down office hours and a don't disturb if it's not an emergency policy, and have everyone observe it (or at least try to).

• Avoid distractions. Lock the door and wear earplugs if needed to drown out the sound of the TV set, the phone ringing or the doorbell chiming (unless it's the kids clubbing each other). The optimal time to work: between 12 midnight and 4 a.m.

• Dress up for work. Adopt your corporate routine - take a bath and put on proper office attire. Not bothering to change your duster will send the message that you're not taking your work seriously.