I’ve suffered this last year with a small spec of a rectangle and a 5-shelf ‘over the door’ wire hanging system. Yeah, the kind in your kitchen pantry. After months of searching for just the right desk to fit my awkward and relatively small home office space, IKEA entered my life.

Any parent will tell you, child rearing is an endless job. So, how can you fit in a second full-time responsibility as a successful work at home professional? Obviously, there’s no simple answer. However, in this 4-part series, we’ll explore time-tested practices geared toward slowing the pendulum.

You work at home. What one thing would you say you could not live without?

No. Not your ever-faithful pet who keeps you company when you work long nights. I’m sure she’s a very close second, but I am referring to your computer, of course! Whether you’re a Right Clicka’ or an iBook Flipper, (That’s PC or Mac user for you old school folks.) you want your computer humming like a new BMW.