How to Organize Your Office: For Work or Home

Everything you need to know about spring cleaning for the office. All you need is to get started!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A sense of humor
• A trash can to get rid of the clutter
• Storage baskets (optional)
• File folders (optional)
• Hanging baskets (optional)

1. Yikes! You need to organize STAT! Spring is a great time for a fresh start, so if you want to clean up and get organized, try some of these ideas to get going:
   
   • Start with a vision. What would you like to see when you walk in your office? What do you want the space to feel like? How do you want to be different at work than just relaxing in a different room at home?
2. • Analyze the paper flow. If you struggle at work because you don’t have an easy and effective system for processing the paperwork, try jotting down the different aspects of your job. Don’t forget committees you serve on and projects you’re responsible for.
3. • Pick the right tool for the job. Now look at your list and identify what you don’t have a good system for. One of these tools might help:
   o Pendaflex Pilesmart clips, trays, and files. Check out these revolutionary organizing products at OfficeDepot.com. There is nothing wrong with piling, if you make the pile mean something and can identify what’s in it. It’s when the pile is a mish-mash of everything that problems arise.
   o Use baskets or shallow trays for each big project or repetitive tasks like data entry. Place them side-by-side and you’ll be more likely to use them than if they are stacked on top of each other. This works great for us work-at-home moms who use boxes and baskets galore to corral the kids toys into one place.
   o Desktop File Boxes are handy for those who like file folders. Just keep the lid off so it’s easier to use. Check out the Real Simple boxes at Target.com.
   o Binders are great because they are portable. Put binder folders in them so you don’t have to 3 hole punch and can file quickly after the meeting.
4. • Assess your storage. If the horizontal surfaces are covered with papers, it may be because your filing cabinets are jammed full. You might disagree, but the answer is not another filing cabinet! Instead, purge the old documents that are no longer relevant. A full 80% of filed documents are never retrieved again. And don’t throw this stuff in the garage either! If you are working from home ask your employer about the possibility of including the cost of a small storage facility as part of your contract if need be. They will want access to those files as well in most cases (and under law) for seven years.
5. • Resolve to make quick decisions. As you sort through items, be brutal and decisive. It might help to stand up so you don’t get too comfortable. Also try using a timer to make sure you are aware of the passing of time and don’t get caught up in the minutiae.