Planting Space

Round 1 Round 2

Round 3 will focus on how to make a home office work well.

IDEA #1 - Wi-Fi Hotspots

If you have a home office wi-fi hotspots will be your best friend.  Plan at least a couple of hours a day out of the house at a hotspot.  This will help you not go stir crazy being in your house all the time.  Frequent the same hotspot regularly and you will get to know the employees and other regulars.  As a lead pastor, consider budgeting $25 a month for your staff memebers to get them gift cards to their favorite hotspot.  This will show your value of all staff members interacting with the community.

IDEA #2 - iChat

Having iChat can make communication outside of an office setting easy.  If staff members always have it on, it is easy to IM and video chat in order to communicate.  If you don’t have a mac get one.  If you can’t get a mac use a PC alternative like Skype.

IDEA #3 - Defined Boundaries

There is nothing worse than being in the middle of an important call when your two year old strolls in to ask you to play.  If you have to work in the house and you family will be there, establish well defined boundaries that protect your work environment.  Be realistic.  Plan a couple of ten minute power play breaks to spend time during the day with the kids.  Plan at least once a week to have lunch “at home” with the family.

IDEA #4 - Office Hours

A home office can be a workaholic’s spouse’s worst nightmare.  Because your home is your workplace, the tendency will be to overwork.  This is really part of the boundaries questions, but deserves noting.  Avoid overworking like the plague.  Turn off the computer and “come home” from work.

IDEA #5 - Separate Phone Line

Don’t set yourself up for failure by having one phone.  Get a VOIP or dedicated work cell to use as a work phone.  Turn it off when you are not “at work.”

IDEA #6 - Dedicated Work Space

If possible, have an office at the house.  Don’t temp yourself by working on the coach in front of the television or at the kitchen table with easy access to the fridge.  Its hard to preach on health with a big belly.  If space is a premium, consider getting a computer armoire for your bedroom.  This will hide your work clutter and provide you with your needed space.

IDEA #7 - Never Meet Alone

Have someone on call in case a need arises for you to counsel or meet with someone.  Never meet alone with someone of the opposite sex, even in public.

IDEA #8 - Get a Smartphone

While expensive data plans are a pain, smartphones can extend your ability to work almost anywhere.  With the ability to send email via phone and in some case browse the web, the smartphone will enable you to work in the park, the library or just about anywhere with a signal.  This added flexibility will keep you out in the community and will allow you needed time out of the house.

What are your ideas for making a home office work?

Its a Round 3 knockout for the home office.  With some careful planning, you can save a lot of money that can go towards more staff or ministries to serve your community.

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