Home Office Paperwork Organization Tips
Most consider working from home a dream, but it can quickly become a nightmare if you have an unorganized workspace. A common problem in a home office is having too many papers and no way to organize them. The good news is that a few guidelines will put you on your way to a clean, organized workspace that yields a calmer, more productive you.
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Be Tough on Your Papers
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As you go through your papers, ask questions about their relevance. The hardest part of organizing your papers is being honest about the ones you need and the ones you can part with. Take some time to go through your papers carefully, making one pile to keep and one to shred and recycle. While you are doing this, ask yourself three important questions: Can I view this document online? Do I have a copy on my computer? Am I keeping it for sentiment? If all three questions get a yes, it's time to toss. If all three get a no, you should probably keep the papers. A combination of yes and no requires you to make a judgment call.
Pick a System
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It's helpful to organize the papers you keep into three piles: work, family and personal. This way, you'll avoid ever misplacing important papers from each category. For further help and organization, go through each pile and either alphabetize or color code. This takes the organization for each pile one step further and helps you locate important paperwork at a moment's notice.
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Box or File
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Choose a storage system that works for your workspace. Boxes, file folders and cabinets are good options to store paperwork. They can be labeled and serve as a quick fix for clutter. If you have a lot of shelving in your home office, boxes may be the best choice for paperwork storage. If you have unused wall space, a file cabinet may be better. Whichever storage route you take, make sure you're comfortable with the way it looks and with the accessibility of your paperwork.
Stay on Task
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Organizing doesn't happen overnight. Do a little bit each day. While you are organizing, it may be tempting to get sidetracked by other work. Stay on track with organization by asking a friend or family member to join you, or put on some music to make the task more enjoyable. Organizing takes time, and it won't happen overnight. However, once you're finished, you'll have a space worthy of your hard work.
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References
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