CONNIE BYRD spoke thusly to: ALL 
CB>          Hello, a while back(couple months ago) I told welfare to
CB>take a hike and started a home business called Imagine That
CB>publishing & Design. It's doing ok, but I feel that my problems
CB>with creating the best "home office" atmosphere are holding me
CB>our back. I am using part of bedroom for my office. But its so
CB>our dreary so I am going to use half living room for a living room
CB>and move the dining room set into the other half. This way I will
CB>have a "small office" in the dining room where there is a lot more
CB>light, and room to work. Being in a mobile home it is still very
CB>cramped tho. I need some ideas on organization.
   You really need to hit the public library.  There are quite a few 
books out on running/maintaining a home office.
CB> When you are starting out what are the essentials as far as 
CB>books, office equipment? 
   Subscribe to at least one industry magazine geared to the home 
office industry (it's deductible).  That will help with tips, tricks, 
design, and how to motivate yourself. 
CB> How can I get myself geared to "go to work" ? what is a good 
CB>filing system? 
   The best filing system is getting a used legal sized filing cabinet 
and filing your stuff by clients (generally alphabetically).  They can 
be had fairly cheaply as the courts are now back to using std. 8.5" x 
11" paper.  One trick I use is to jot the client's data on the outside 
of the file so if you lose his business card or rolodex card you'll 
always have it at a glance.  And ALWAYS make a rolodex card on anyone 
who inquires about our services.  And, perhaps, a second "rolodex" 
indexing system for business cards you acquire.
CB> ANY advice would be appreciated because I have ADD and find it 
CB>hard to know what is important to file or toss. I am very 
CB>creative and determined and i'm good at what I do but this 
CB>organization thing is going to kill me. Help! 
   Assuming you have the requisite filing cabinets, file everything!!! 
Even memo's to yourself concerning said client.  File any and all 
pencil sketches, inquiries, estimates, bills, telephone records, etc.  
When there is a dispute, and there will always be one or two a year, 
contemporaneous records are always handy to fall back on.  Computer 
records are great - but they can be destroyed instantaneously and 
inadvertently.  And when backing up your computer always keep a copy 
off-property in case of fire, theft or other calamity.
   A few years ago I had to come up with seven-year-old data for a 
court case.  Luckily, I had it in my files.  When in doubt - SAVE IT!
   Get rich and famous.
   Dick
   TheMerc@Juno.com
"GRIDLOCK" is music to my ears.
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