Are you overwhelmed with endless office clutter?
Organizing your home office needn't be the panic worthy task that you've been neglecting. It's simply about taking the time to create a productive, efficient work environment that will undeniably make your life easier.
Working smart, not hard begins and ends with you. So relish in the fact that you're that much smarter for finally realizing no one else is going to do it for you and get to work!
Here are a few tips...
- Time, do not begin organizing unless you have the time to start and finish this project!
- Sit back, analyze and visualize a clean, organized workspace. Write down and then purchase the necessary
office supplies required to accomplish the desired end result. Be sure to purchase storage receptacles specifically designed for each item. You will most likely need
cd holders, file folders, drawers, boxes, bins, boxes, shelves, a garbage receptacle and bags, a paper shredder and cleaning supplies including pressurized air.
- When you dive into the pile take baby steps. Begin with just one item at a time until you've gone through every single thing in your office. If you can multi-task the job will be completed that much faster trying not to handle objects no more than 3 times in this entire process, if not less. Don't go anywhere within your office empty handed, until you are finished the job, there will always be something that needs to go somewhere along route.
- Keep in mind that in the beginning of this process the mess will get
a lot worse, before it gets better.
- End the work day by taking 5 minutes to prepare your work station. Bring forward tomorrow's top priority projects, shred unwanted paperwork, clear any messages and remove the day's clutter.
- Begin you day by retrieving your voice mail messages, delete from the system and respond where and when required. Open your day planner, agenda or
PDA and add all necessary information, check for appointments or other tasks.
- Reduce the amount of personal belongings and pictures within your office to a maximum of three items.
- Be sure to leave space on your desktop for hand writing tasks, spreading out paperwork and general office jobs that require an adequately sized, open area to complete.
- As items come into your office and across your desk, put them into their relative locations immediately. In the same spirit, if you take out an item, put it back once you are finished with it.
Take this quiz and find out
What your desk says about you?
Step One
Pick up any one item and ask yourself...Is this item work related?
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If you answered 'Yes' then form a pile of similar items within reach. As you look around, start to form other groups of like items using these examples as category references; office supplies, office equipment, files, paperwork, reference materials, business contacts,
knick knacks, garbage and other. Continue with basic sorting throughout your entire office remembering not to get carried away with the details, at this time.
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If you answered 'No' then place that item in the garbage or in a pile away from the main area of your workspace, to be removed later. For the future, try not to allow unnecessary clutter to find its way into your office.
Step Two
At this point, your office area probably looks worse than ever, just stay with me! You've already rid the area of unnecessary crap, clutter and garbage leaving you with a semi organized mess, see it's better already! Now your goal is too achieve smaller, more defined, functional piles of fully
useable items. By downsizing that collection of broken calculators, dried up pens and old paperwork you are minimizing the potential for future clutter.
Again, pick up each item and ask yourself...
Do I use this item at least once a year?
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If you answered 'Yes' then hold onto it, but not before checking its functionality. For example, keep dated paperwork within the current tax year, while putting aside past dated info to be sorted and filed later minimizing the potential for future clutter.
- If you answered 'No' then place these these items into a pile to either donate, give away, sell or recycle in some way.
Step Three
You're almost finished a huge chunk of the entire process, good for you! I know your space still looks crappy but I'm hoping you can see the potential! At this point your immediate working area ought to consist of numerous piles containing current, functioning items used to maintain and run your office, and that's it. Your desk, shelving, drawers and cabinets ought to be stripped naked and ready for cleaning, except for your computer, phone and other office equipment.
Once you've wiped everything down go underneath your desk and tackle the cord spaghetti. Begin with one plug at a time, securing long bulky pieces with
velcro, plastic
twisties or tape, unplugging if necessary. Place the office equipment you use every day closer to you than something you use only a few times a month. Your cable modem, wireless router, firewall, battery backup, etc.ought to be under your desk. Always keep in mind that performing your office tasks without having to stand up or even move your chair is best and then plan accordingly.
When filing paperwork into general categories keep dates in mind, removing all but the current tax year. Place your statements, bills and all correspondence in there appropriate categories such as the to do pile, file away pile, awaiting response, hold, refer, read, pay and paid are just some examples.
Step Four
It's time to begin replacing those now organized items and place them into their final resting place.
If you haven't already done so, it's now time to purchase organizational office supplies and then begin putting your items away. Remember to keep the most commonly used items well within reach while tucking away those items you rarely use. Once your organized piles of
useable office related garb are put away, you are almost finished! Just take out the trash, put away that stray pile of stuff that doesn't belong in an office, piece off your recyclables and then vacuum those floors.
You've now officially hit bottom, which in the world of cleaning and organization, is a good thing.
Congratulations, you've accomplished the task of organizing your home office!
For those who have given up and returned to your 'old' ways may need to ask yourself one last question...
Am I Messy or Am I A Hoarder?
