Creating for yourself a portable office that does not have any real fixed location. Really does connect you to the additional concept of creating a minimalistic type office. An office where all you have and all you take with you is essentially what you need. Nothing more.
For some people this can be a challenge. A challenge that for some they cannot get past and end up carrying what could almost be mistaken for over night luggage just to the coffee shop to work for an hour or two. What you really need to consider that much of the things that we associate with an actual office, or working are in fact redundant, not needed or just dead weight.
So it really comes down to the question. How do you know what you do need and what you don’t need. To some extent this will depend on just what type of business you are running. However in almost every instance there are quite a number of things that can be done away with, especially with the current technology that is available. But before we look at some of the things that are not really needed, lets consider the potential basics that you may want to consider.
- Laptop – Really if you are going to be moving around to a coffee shop, bar, or any other place frequently, then a laptop is essential. It may be possible to get by without a laptop, however it may generally make things more difficult.
- Accessories – A Wireless mouse (if you don’t like the touch pad on laptop’s, Mobile Broadband modem, if you want to be sure of internet access, and a Carry bag that will fit the laptop, charger and just these couple of accessories.
- Notepad & Pen – Just always handy to have something to take a note on that can usually be flipped back through.
In reality this may essentially be the full extent of what you need. For some there will be other specialised equipment, a photographer needs a camera, a DJ needs music, and a mobile bank lender, may need a printer to print contracts. You will know from your business just what you really do need and what may be a luxury you do not really need for your business, at least what you need with you.
Consider some of the things that you may not really need now.
- A lot of paperwork – While some business still rely on hard copy paperwork, there should often be little need to take it with you, unless you are going to a specific meeting where you need it.
- CD’s – Be it programs or music, you really probably don’t need it with you. By all means if specific software you use, needs the disc then you need it. But if it is just a habit to carry your little folder of Cd’s everywhere, you could easily lighten your load.
- stationary – While you may think it is needed, generally it isn’t envelopes, paperclips, etc etc are all things that can often be left at home where you are more likely to need them.
Along with these items thare are often many other’s that can easily be done without, and not only make your load lighter, but mean you have less distractions when you really need to get your work done. Which is really what it comes down to when you go out to work, that is what you need to do, not be going through piles of papers, or searching cd’s for a file or such, but getting focused on your work and making the most of your time.