What Tools Do I Need to Work from Home?

This content may contain affiliate links which may result in my being financially compensated for purchases site visitors make through said links.

A lot of people worry that it’s super expensive to set up a business. They think they won’t be able to afford it, so they completely write it off. What they often don’t realize is they might already have the basic tools needed to work from home.

The good news is if you work from home, it can be really affordable to start a business. You won’t need to spend money renting or buying a business premises. And you won’t have to create or store products if you choose a service-based business. 

Here are some basic tools you’ll need to work from home:

A computer (laptop or desktop)

To work online, you’ll obviously need a computer. A laptop is ideal because you can take it with you if you’re traveling or you need to work from another location (or if you want to work from the couch instead of your normal workspace every once in a while!).

To save money, you can totally work with what you’ve already got, but when it comes time to upgrade, take the following points into consideration:

• Choose a fast laptop. There’s nothing more annoying than waiting for your laptop to boot up every day or to open large files. 
• Choose a lightweight laptop so you can carry it with you when you work outside the home. You don’t want to lug around unnecessary weight!
• Choose a laptop with a webcam. You may occasionally need to have video calls with clients.

High-speed internet access

Okay, I said there’s nothing worse than waiting for your laptop to boot up, but there might be something that’s even worse than that — unreliable internet!

If you work online, you need a fast, reliable internet connection. You don’t want to miss a deadline because you weren’t able to connect to the internet to complete your work. 

A desk and comfortable chair

Working on the couch or even bed sounds like it would be so comfy, but it’s not something that you should do for long periods of time. 

It’s better to work from a proper desk so that you have space to spread out your work tools. It’s also wise to invest in an ergonomic desk chair to avoid getting back problems. 

Good lighting

Don’t forget about lighting when you’re setting up your home office. Good lighting is essential to your productivity and can help you avoid headaches and eye strain. 

Natural lighting is preferable, so position your desk near a window if possible. 

Use a desk lamp to illuminate what you’re working on and improve your focus.

A dedicated, organized space

Ideally, you’ll have a dedicated work area with a door that you can close to avoid distractions. I know that’s not possible for everyone, so try to carve out a little area for yourself where you can. One bonus of working from home is that you may be able to use it as a tax deduction. 

To boost your productivity, try to keep your work area organized. If you’re surrounded by a mess, you’ll focus on the mess and not the work you’re supposed to be doing! Make sure you have adequate storage for your work materials. You don’t want to waste time every day looking for your notebook or your charger. 

Quiet

A quiet, distraction-free workspace is essential for people who work from home. It’s easy to get distracted by family or chores that need to be done, so you’ll have to be super strict with yourself. 

Have a chat with your family and make sure they’re aware that you shouldn’t be disturbed when you’re working. If you have a spare room that you can work in and close the door, snag it for your home office. 

If there are too many distractions, you might need to decamp to a nearby cafe or library. That’s okay. You don’t have to work from home every single day; the point is that you have the freedom to work from wherever you want, whenever you want!

Specific TOOLS for your job

You may need specific resources depending on the type of job you do. For example, proofreaders will need certain reference books to help them fix errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Transcriptionists need specific equipment to help them listen to audio files and transcribe them. 

A good mindset

You can have all the tools and resources in the world, but if your mindset is a mess, you’ll struggle with working from home and creating a successful business. 

You have to believe that you can succeed. Don’t let past failures stop you from trying again. 

You have the power to change your life. It will be difficult, but if you stick with it, you can be successful. 

If you need help with overcoming self-doubt and letting go of past failures, check out my book Work at Home. It’s free; all you pay is shipping! 

A solid business plan

One way to ensure your at-home business’s success is to have a solid business plan. After all, a goal without a plan is just a dream! 

Create a one-page business plan. You don’t need to write a fifty-page document. A one-page business plan is all it takes to set your business on the right path. 

A willingness to learn

The most important thing you’ll need to work from home is a skill. Other people have problems they’re trying to solve and they’re searching for people with the skills to solve them. 

You may not have all the skills you need right now, so if not, you must be willing to learn them. Not sure what kind of business you want to start yet? No problem! With Work-At-Home School, you get the opportunity to try out lots of different skills until you find the right fit for you.  

Our take

As you can see, it really doesn’t have to cost that much to start your own business. You may already own a lot of the tools you need to work from home, and you can pick up others as time goes on. So don’t feel like you have to wait until all your ducks are in a row. Get started now!

Your turn

Ready to take your first steps into the work-at-home world? Check out Work-At-Home School.