Things You'll Need:
- File cabinet
- File folders
- Storage boxes
- Filing tray
- Trash can
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Step 1
Divide and conquer. The first step to organizing your office is to track the paper trail. Do you really need to keep your daytimer from last year? If you really have a legitimate reason for keeping something, create a folder for it and organize your papers in a file drawer. Anything from more than a year ago that you don’t use should be stored in a clearly labeled box and put in storage or thrown away.
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Step 2
Prioritize your work. Once you have thrown away or filed unnecessary documents, sift back through the papers you kept. If you don’t already have one, purchase a file tray from your local office supply store. Then organize your papers from most important to least important. To keep the paper from piling up again, be sure to file documents immediately when you are finished with them.
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Step 3
Rearrange your desk. Sometimes work can seem even more overwhelming if your desk isn’t arranged to help your workflow. Take the time to put pens and pencils and other items you may need in close reach. Put away books, files and other unnecessary items that only add to the clutter.
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Step 4
Keep a close eye on your schedule. Use a desk calendar or the calendar on your computer to help you stay organized and up-to-date. Set goals for your week in order to keep the paper overload to a minimum. Create a to-do list for the day, allowing for a small amount of flexibility should unforeseen circumstances keep you from completing your task.
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Step 5
Eliminate excessive personal items. Every office needs pictures and perhaps a plant to give it a homier feel, but you don’t actually have to live in your office. If you have bookcases in your office, use them to display a few simple family pictures. The less you have on your desk, the more productive you will be.
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Step 6
Spot check once a month. In order to keep a paper avalanche from falling down on you again, throw out unnecessary items at least once a month. Catch up on any filing that you have left undone. You will be amazed at how much more productive you will be.
