A key to being productive and completing your goals and tasks on a regular basis is to organizing your space. Taking some time to organize your office will help you in achieving your day-to-day functions as well as long-term objectives and increased profits for your business.
Here are 7 simple tips to organize your office to create a better working environment:
1. Organize your supplies, papers and computer files
55 minutes per day is wasted on looking for misplaced items according to the National Association of Professional Organizers. Spending less time searching for things will help increase profits by allowing you to spend time on selling, not looking for things.
2. Create tasks with deadlines and lose those sticky notes
Establishing a daily to-do list will help you prioritize your day and visually see what your day will consist of. It is common to write them down on sticky notes and plaster them all over your computer monitor. Instead, write them in a notepad, day planner or on your computer within Outlook or other software. Writing tasks down will make sure you don’t forget to do something. By setting deadlines, you’ll spend more time focused on your work rather than distractions.
3. Check your emails several times per day instead of when a new one is received
Checking emails as they are received tends to throw off your train of thought. By checking emails less periodically, you can stay on track and accomplish your tasks.
4. Don’t be afraid of the garbage pail
Everyone has been guilty of this at some point or another. We tend to hold on to things because we think we’ll use them down the road. Not that there is a problem with this but going through that old paperwork or snail mail once in a while can help keep you uncluttered.
5. Invest in some storage
Utilize all horizontal and vertical space in your office. Buy file cabinets or wall mounted shelving. Store items you may not need regularly away from your workspace. Finding a temporary home until these items are needed can help keep your day productive. Additional storage can also help you add a personal design touch to your work space.
6. Use bulletin or white board
Often, we have to revert to information regularly. Keeping these papers on your desk will eventually pile up and possibly get misplaced. Taking these important papers to a bulletin board will keep information within reach. Writing important and frequently used numbers or information on a white board will keep those sticky notes away from your workspace.
7. Rome wasn’t built in a day
It’s likely that you won’t be fully organized in one day either. Micromanage your office organization efforts. Tackle one stack of papers at a time. Organize your computer files the next day. Don’t add more pressure by overwhelming yourself to de-clutter in a day.
*Bonus Tip* Keep your desk clear of non-essential items. Your desk is the first place to get cluttered. Find a place for pens, stationary, mail, paperwork, etc. by using desk organizers. Make sure at the end of your workday, you have your desk cleared of completed projects and prepare for the following day. Maximizing your desk space will prevent you from going off track and keep you on the path of being productive.
There you have it. 7 simple tips to keep you productive throughout your day. We recommend spending a few hours a week at maintaining a manageable workspace and keeping your desk clean of old or unwanted clutter. By investing some money in storage and some time in de-cluttering, your day can be better spent achieving your goals and increasing profits for your business.
