Your office is a mess, and your desk is worse. The truth is out. Now what can you do about it? Organizing your office is the key to working efficiently and not too complicated to achieve. Roll up your sleeves and attack that mess, and before you know it you’ll have a place for everything and everything in its very own place. Once put in order, you will be able to maintain your work station in a manner of minutes a day.
Step 1
Label your files according to your business. For a home office, this may be by month or subject. For work, it may be alphabetical depending on your needs.
Step 2
Sort your paperwork into three piles: past, present and future. File all of the past paperwork into the file cabinet, according to the file labels and using folders to separate each type.
Step 3
Place the present pile of paperwork on top of the future stack and put the new stack in your in box. This now represents all work that needs to be done.
Step 4
Empty your desk one drawer at a time and insert drawer organizers into each. Replace the contents by type and how often you use them. For instance, if you use paper clips several times, a day allocate them to the center or top right hand drawer.
Step 5
Store any obsolete paperwork in a storage box and mark it with the year and type of paperwork it contains. Shred any paperwork that is no longer needed. This can be placed in an attic, garage or other storage area.
Step 6
Place all books, catalogs and computer programs on a bookcase, with those you use the most being nearest to your desk. Extra supplies, such as printer paper, can also be stored on the bookcase.
Step 7
Arrange your desk so that the only things remaining are your computer work station, your in/out box, a container of pens, and perhaps a pad of paper. Your office is now organized, and you’ll find you can work more efficiently.
