Are you an office hoarder, or do you just need some help organizing your office? Some people see no reason to organize an office. They are quite content to work amongst the chaos. A few of them actually manage to achieve success in this manner. Then, there are those of us who feel overwhelmed and stressed when we've let the disorder take over our lives. Regardless of which type of person you are, below some very basic tips that will help you organize your office.
• Get an organizational system in place – Before you start clearing off your desk you have to know what is going where. I always recommend an inbox for everything that is incoming; an outbox for things that need to mailed out; a file box for things that are completed but still need to be filed; an area for current or ongoing projects and a recycling or shred box. Once you have a system in place, clear your desk and go through every piece of paper and sticky note and place them accordingly (if the sticky note is a reminder place it on your to-do list). All business cards and contacts need to be added to you list of contacts.
• Establish a workflow – Determine what your timelines will be when starting a new project or working with a new client. It is helpful to actually have your workflow process in writing or utilize some visual aid to remind you that you are on track. I always recommend using something as simple as a checklist.
• Establish a filing system – Your system can be alphabetical, numerical, color – coded, electronic - whatever works for you. Everything needs to be labeled or named whether you are filing in a filing cabinet or filing on your desktop. You don’t want to go hunting for things when you really need it. Also, if you are only filing on your desktop only make sure you back everything up.
• Toss it - This includes tossing out old technology and old documents. Get rid of pens that no longer work, unused or broken office equipment, and outdated documents.
As a busy professional is it easy to let things get out of hand and neglect your workspace. Keep things that that you use every day within reach, whatever you do, make sure it is not tucked away in bottomless pit that you have to dig through to find it.
