Got Office Organization Mess Stress? Here Are 5 Easy Steps For Organizing An Office!
Well, don’t fret; it happens to all of us. When you’re running a business, one of the biggest pitfalls you’ll face is office clutter and disorganization. You get so busy running your business, that you ignore the need to get your office organized and free of clutter.
Then, when the realization hits you, the task can seem so overwhelming and time consuming; that resistance sets in. And, the very thing you need to do to simplify your life and make it easier to run your business gets pushed to the back burner… yet again!
Organization is one of the first things a business owner needs to do. And yet, it’s often one of the ‘last’ things they do; and then it’s usually out of necessity and frustration.
So, to help save your sanity, and bring order to the chaos, here are a few easy to implement ideas to help you organize your office and tame the mess… aka your office!
1. First, de-clutter your desk top.
Make separate stacks of related items and papers: i.e. receipts, reports, letters, etc. You may want to buy some of those little ‘wire or plastic baskets’ to contain the stacks from your local office supply, Target or Walmart store.
Otherwise, the piles may fall, or papers may get blown away if they’re not weighted down, which means they’ll soon be a ‘mess’ again.
2. What’s your filing system like? Do you even have one?
Whatever you can file easily and quickly should be filed right away. Use manila folders, write the ‘general description’ of what’s in the folder (i.e. receipts, bills to pay, notes, letters, etc.) on the tab, and stick them in it instead of laying them down. You’ll notice an immediate improvement in the space around you.
3. An alternative to manila folders is to use envelopes or sheet protectors to organize them.
Always label the folders so you’ll know what’s in them. Once this is done, you can break them down even further as you see the need to have more categories.
For example, the bills to pay folder could become the utilities, credit cards, services, kid’s expenses, etc. folders. The categories will become obvious as you work with them.
Make sure you separate your personal papers from your business papers. You’ll be glad you did come tax time!
4. Snail Mail!
First, ‘dump the junk’! Unless you’re a coupon clipper, or have a real interest in a particular flyer… just toss the junk mail when it comes in. Sort through your mail while standing near the trash can. Then, put the mail you want to see in an ‘inbox’ on your desk.
Again, use a basket or container of some type to keep it all together. Then, schedule a time to go through the mail during the day, like after productive work hours. Make sure you clean it out at least once a week.
5. Hire An Assistant… or Your Kids!
This simple organization method will help you contain and maintain clutter, and will also make it easier to delegate these tasks to an assistant. If you don’t have an assistant, consider hiring one even on a part-time basis.
Or, hire one of your kids or other family member! This is a great way to get cheap service, and begin to teach them organization skills. And… you may be able to use them as a tax deduction. (Check with your accountant on this and how to set it up.)
The bottom line is this: The sooner you give in and organize your office, the better. You’ll feel better, be more effective, and it’ll take less time to locate documents and information when you need it. The longer you wait, the longer it’ll take to get it done.
Walking into a cluttered, dis-organized office creates stress because your sub-conscious mind also reacts to the confusion. If you get a feeling of wanting to run away when you walk into your office, it’s really your sub-conscious mind resisting the chaos… that’s the sensation of stress that flows through your body every time you enter your office.
Resistance is futile! Bit the bullet and get it done, or hire someone to do it for you. You’ll be glad you did. And, it’ll be one more ‘To-Do’ you can cross off your list!