About six months ago we moved house. It was something that had been on the cards for a while, and although we had looked at a lot of houses in the area where we wanted to live, here in Cebu, Philippines, we hadn’t been lucky enough to find something that was truly what we wanted.
One of the main contributing factors for buying a new house was that I needed a larger home office space. Since I’ve become a Virtual CEO, I am now working from home more and more, and in the old house I was finding myself very constricted on a number of levels:
- I didnt have a ‘view’, which was quite literally driving me nuts!
- The aircon was old and noisey, not condusive to business calls.
- My desk area was small and very limited.
- I had no full-time space for my video shooting set-up.
- The room also housed a ‘shared’ family computer.
- It was on the lower level of the house, where all the ‘action’ is throughout the day.
Above you’ll see that, frankly put, I needed my own space, away from everything else. Somewhere quiet, and motivating. Not noisey and distracting. So, when we visited a one-year old house, designed and built entirely on Feng Shui principles, it was love at first site. Not only that, but the entire top level of the house was wide open and ready to be renovated into the home working facility I needed!
You can see the new home office in the short video tour, at the top of this post.
Needless to say, the difference speaks for itself. I find myself being incredibly motivated and heavily productive in this new environment. The additional desk space is a major factor in this, as I like to spread things out in front of me when I work. Not only that, but the huge whiteboard is a game changer as far as I’m concerned, especially for mind-mapping.
What do you think of my new set-up? Any suggested changes I could make?
As we get ready for the New Year, what steps are you taking to make sure that 2012 is the best year ever for you and your businesses? I’d love to hear your comments below.
A serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author, Chris helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing. 
Chris is a serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author who helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing.
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
hey Chris, great office and equipement. It looks very tidy, did you make a final year end clean up, or does it always look like this
? Seems to be a paperless office.
I like the whiteboard, I got one a few month ago and my work got much more creative by using it. Even if I’m sitting in front of my computer and feel like having a tunnel vision and I have no new ideas, a brainstorming mindmap at the whiteboard can help to spread the view.
What do you use the Bamboo Tablet for ? I consider to buy on in 2012.
All the best for the new year for you and your family.
With best Regards Michael
Hi Michael
My office is ALWAYS super tidy. I cant work around mess, or have mess around me when I’m working… Paperless is the way to go. Whenever possible.
Glad you’re also a whiteboard fan, too. I couldn’t live without mine, thats for sure.
The Bamboo thingy hasn’t really been used that much yet – just playing around. But, that will change in the coming months. I plan to be doing lots of tutorials, using it…
Thanks for the kind comment. Good luck in 2012 – lets rock it!
C
Hi Chris
Happy new year
I guess it wil be by the time you read this.
A nice tour of the office. A litle crampped in the corner sharing with you wife but otherwise a neat setup.
I so agree its important to have an office rather than muddling along in amongst the rest of the house hold.
Whats with the “rock” to the left as you look out your widow! curious. Looks like a very nice area you live in a “walled community” i guess.
I currently have 4-5 “offices”. Ive been determined since i started on this journey to never have an office again. Having people to work with is nice and great for a community spirit but i prefer the freedom of life on the cloud.
So i have an office spce wher i live, I work out of two seperate coffee shops (starbucks and Cafe nero) and also i work from a firends farm where i stay every few weeks to helpout with horses and other animals.
This means that I can literally packup my “office” in ten minutes to relocate. The only thing i dont have with me at the coffee shop is a decent sized monitor!
Lastly i plan to relocat ethe office out to asia again in april-may time as i did int 2011. A bigger challenge is going to be running the office from the road in last 2012 on a trip to the USA.
Thanks for sharing you tour and I to feel 2012 is going to be Epic.
Steve
p.s. whats with those funny mac computers
after nearly 30 years being around “pc’s and macs” ive still not bought a apple computer although the air looked really cool
Hey Steve
Great insights into the way YOU work, bud. Thanks for that.
I love my Apple stuff now. I was a pure PC guy up until around 2 years ago… And then made the switch. You know what they say, once you go Mac, you never go back!
The ‘rock’ is the side of land in the subdivision that I live in. I love it. It keeps one side of my house nice and cool and also looks kinda cool, too!!!
All the best for 2012, my friend.
C
Hi chris
Opps I did kinda get carried away there
my bad.
The rock is very cool and i sure bet it helps with temp control.
I can see the appeal of the mac stuff. Im a big fan of Iphone, Ipod, Ipad. Now we are so much more web based the PC is less needed thats for sure.
have a great 2012 cheers
You NEVER have to apologize for commenting, at length on this blog, mate – you should know that by now!!! hehehe.
Looking forward to your Philippines visit this year sometime, too – yes, that was a MASSIVE nudge!
C
Love it Chris –
I hope 2012 is the best for you, your family, readers and me.
I’ve learned a lot from you and hope that in 2012 I can learn
much more and hire your VA staff to handle my task that BORE me.
Thank you and Great Luck!
Frank
Hi Frank
Thanks, bud. Glad to know I’ve helped out, even if its been in a small way.
I hope you have an awesome year ahead of you… And look forward to hearing more of your business plans and no doubt, successes, in the coming 12 months.
C
Thank you Chris for sharing this look into your home office. I listen to your podcasts and visit your site because you are always enthusiastic and I come away with creative inspiration. I was wondering what type of microphone you have mounted on your desk? Thanks again.
Michael
Hi Michael
I really appreciate your comment, buddy – thank you. Sincerely.
My mic is an Audio Technica AT2020 USB mic. Works like a dream. You can grab it on Amazon for around $100.
All the best for 2012, and look forward to getting to know you more in the coming year.
C
Thanks for sharing a view of your office space. Inspiring! Have a great 2012!
~Phil
Thanks, Phil.
You too, bud and if there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.
C
Hey Chris!
Nice setup man! I like that you have a dedicated video recording area. With a view like that it would be hard for me to concentrate for very long before I was staring out the window.
John
Hi John
I hear you – I have the same problem, daily, trust me!
Thanks for the comment, and good luck in the coming year.
C
Hi Chris,
You have a great post to start for 2012. I myself also did some mind mapping like what I want to achieve for 2012 starting from January – October 2012. I also set up my own small-home-office on a rented space enough for extra desktop where my assistant can work on his tasks, cabinet to put some books,etc. I’m also into Feng Shui. I’m curious where your door is situated. If you ask me, I prefer that my working area is facing the door so I could see who’s coming in and out; and not to be distracted by surprise. Planning for one year is a good move for entrepreneurs. I’m also setting up my consulting firm. Thanks for sharing your good vibes.
Hi Ed
Congrats on the mind-mapping. It’s a great way to start any new year, thats for sure.
My main desk is right next to the door, so yes, I can see everyone entering and leaving the room. Always.
Thanks for the comment and all the best for 2012.
C
Chris,
Congrats on the move.
Working from home is such a double-edged sword.
I love it but have to battle get caught up in house duties and spending too much time with my family. I actually want to spend time with my family of course, but I do have to get the work done too.
Thank you for sharing.
Happy New Year, Adam.
Hi Adam
Thanks for the comment, bud.
Family is first, ALWAYS. We know this – but, you’re right. We’ve still gotta bring home the bacon, right…?!
Happy new year, mate.
C
Mmm BACON!
Looking forward to chatting with you soon.
I’ll get in touch with Steph to arrange things.
Take care.
Nice. Lookin’ forward to it, buddy.
With bells on….
C
Happy New Year Chris! Cool office and view. I am getting the back of my house redone with an addition. It will reconfigure my office a bit and take off the deck, but I will still be looking at a view of the harbor, my boat and 20′ magnolia tree. Can’t beat that, though I don’t know how much money it makes me
Karl
Hi Karl
Right backatcha, my man!!!
Look at you… the harbor ‘my boat’ – LOVE IT!!!
You need to start counting those dollars a little more, buddy! Happy new year, again.
C
I gotta say, while I do enjoy working from home sometimes, I really prefer coffee shops. Being at home, still brings the mental nudges of just quickly “doing laundry” or “snacking too much” , etc.
Something about having people around (even though I’m an introvert), subconsciously holds me accountable to playing around less while on the laptop and getting stuff done.
To make 2012 the best year yet, I’m focusing on branding myself more, instead of trying to segment marketing efforts for several different online businesses. I figure, being seen as a real person with multiple interests and business is more interesting at the end of the day as a one man show. In the event some marketing messages are not 100% relevant to all audiences is OK, since hearing all too similar messages from someone can turn into a broken , one- sided record.
Best of luck in the New Year and with your new office, you have a nice view!
Hi Jeff
I hear you on the coffee shop thing, I also like to get out and about around town in various locations, too. Although I’d say probably 60% of my time is spent working from home now. With the other 40% spread across coffee shops, resorts and the L2S Facility.
Happy New Year to you, and all the best for 2012. I’m sure you’re gonna rip it up this year!
C
Thanks Chris – you too!
Very convenient office with a great view , the white board is a plus you can add new ideas.
And photograph the contents of the board and keep the prints for review later.
Happy New Year to you Chris
Hi David
Thanks for the comment.
It’s funny you mention on taking photos of the whiteboard – that’s exactly what I do. I then upload them to my Dropbox, via my iPhone4 and make them available on ALL my devices for later reference.
You have to love the cloud…..!!
Happy new year, buddy.
C
I take photos of the whiteboard with my Iphone 4, upload them to Evernote and add some keywords so that I can recover later on. Thats the best solution I have up to now to deal all the information…
Regards Michael Nienhaus
Evernote is AWESOME!
I use it on my iPhone and iPad, too. Wouldn’t be without that little sucker!
Thanks for the input and suggestion, Michael.
C
Hey Chris,
Wow man, loved the view you have now!
I think you’ll be way more productive with that setting because not having the right workplace can indeed affect our productivity AND creativity (which is even worse).
My only concern is if you do make any greenscreen type of videos, how do you fit the green layer behind the couch?
All the best for this 2012 and hope you keep rocking at your business!
Sergio
PS. I have both PC/Mac and I use one or the other depending on the given task.
Hi Sergio
First of all, happy new year to you, buddy.
The couch is easy to move out… And the Sven can easily fit behind. Will be experimenting a lot more with video in the coming year! Should be fun.
All the best, my man.
C
Hey, Happy New Year bro!!
You know I’m already looking forward to your new online endeavours!
Sergio
So am I – they’ll be a post later in the week telling everyone a little more on everything…
Thanks for the on-going support!
C
Happy new year Chris,
I love the new office, looks cosy and cool.
I plan to do something similiar by end of 2012 with the apartment next door.
Just need to knock down one wall to achieve around 150m2 of full frontal Manila Bay Views. (Not to mention another 50k USD investment)
Best of luck for your business and family in 2012.
Cheers
Hi Stephen
Good stuff, buddy.
Manila Bay is beautiful – except when it rains!
Good luck for 2012.
C
Hi Chris, Happy New Year to you buddy.
I love the new set up, especially the view I’m quite with you on that. We have just moved house as well and I’ve just completed setting up everything. Although its a bit smaller than previous home offices I’ve had I chose the room because of the great view overlooking a park. A view makes an amazing amount of difference. I agree paperless is the way forward which Is why I have a scanner on my desk.
Due to the roof line I can’t get my white board on the wall which is annoying, but at least it’s in the room!
Is that a cliff your house butts up to?
Nice move and all the best with your projects in 2012!
Hi Matthew
Happy new year to you, bud.
Park’s are great (I wish they had more here in the Philippines), as you not only get the landscape, but also the people walking dogs, kids playing, a little wildlife, etc. All good stuff.
So so much a cliff, rather a massive rock!!! LOL
Glad to hear you’re not a lover of paper, either!!!
Chat soon, bud.
C
That was great. As an author and business man, I can relate to how you said “The additional desk space is a major factor in this, as I like to spread things out in front of me when I work. Not only that, but the huge whiteboard is a game changer as far as I’m concerned, especially for mind-mapping”.I hope more people discover your blog because you really know what you’re talking about. Can’t wait to read more from you!
Hi Daniel
Thanks for the kind words, bud. And good luck with the book.
Cheers,
C
Chris,
Love your view, one of the first things I noticed while looking at homes in that area is that it’s so darn quiet. The normal day to day noise is virtually eliminated in that area, at least from what I’m used to hearing every day here in Cebu.
Going to the same barbershop, some of your staff being my wife’s friends, and now you purchasing a house in the same area I’m looking at is quite a coincidence.
Burt
Hey Burt
The coincidences just keep piling up!
I love peace and quiet – anywhere. It’s one of the reasons why I liked the Singapore Botanical Gardens so much. I literally could have pitched a tent in that place… if I enjoyed camping, that is (which I dont!).
See you around Cebu soon, no doubt. Pit Senor!
C
Hi Chris!
Happy New Home Office!
I understand what it means to have a space that is set up for your needs. You mentioned that the house was built on feng shui principles. Are there any feng shui principles on the specific room that you chose for your home office?
Enjoy!
Hi Maria
Thanks for dropping by.
As far as I know there isn’t any feng shui in the actual room itself – I’m not all that ‘into’ feng shui, although I respect it and the beliefs behind it. The house was actually built from scratch by a very traditional Chinese family, hence the original roots. But, it would be interesting for me to look into it a little, in regards to the room – to see if I lucked in to doing it by accident!
Welcome to the VBL Tribe. Hope to see more of you here.
C
Chris, the view from your office is amazing!! I know you’ve worked really hard to get to where you are and I think it’s great you have the ability to create your own lair like this. One day I’ll make have my own REAL office and would love to share it with others like you’ve done. Awesome job, man.
Thanks, Dwayne.
Liar – hehehe. I like that word.
We’d love to see your own spot – send it into me when you can, and perhaps we can do a piece on working environments here on the blog!
Cheers,
C
Right now my office is an air mattress and a tv dinner table but soon enough it will be so much more.
Your home office is looking quite nice. I’ve also considered getting a whiteboard as it’s nice to keep things all organized in one place. Another thing I’ve used lately to manage my projects is Trello…I’d recommend it.
It’s nice to see other Internet marketers using Macs, as it’s getting easier these days to do Internet marketing with online based software.
Cheers!
Hi Mike
Glad you like the office layout. Yep – that Whiteboard gets some serious use, I tell ya!
Trello looks good, but quite similar to Evernote, which I do use everyday for sure… Thanks for the tip, though!
Once you go Mac, you never go back!!!
C
Hi Chris.
A really cool post on the importance of having a good home office and yes feng-shui does help a lot. However I must say the video was not there when I checked up this page and hence unable to see and feel how the room looks. Do check it out.
Be Healthier and Happier. Become Empowered and Enriched.
Dr Maharaja SivaSubramanian N
STrange.
It’s certainly there now. Perhaps you were browsing on a device that didn’t support YouTube’s video format, or in a country that doesn’t allow YouTube?
Try again.
And thanks for the kind words, Dr.
C
Yes Chris, maybe the video is not loading in my browser. I checked up at Youtube and the video is cool. Great sharing. I have subscribed to your video channel in youtube and looking forward for more sharing with you.
So long,
Be Healthier and Happier, Become Empowered and Enriched.
Dr Maharaja SivaSubramanian N