It's a new year and even a new decade, yet you're still stuck with the same old disorganized office mess from last year? You can say "no" to this mayhem and get a handle on both your office and your business by creating filing and organization systems that really work for you. Here are some step-by-step suggestions on how to get your office space organized once and for all.
1. Get rid of any papers, boxes, magazines, periodicals, books, etc. that are just lying around and that have no immediate and useful function to your day to day operations. If the materials are obsolete, pitch them; if you may have need for them at a later date, store them in marked boxes. Dated files should always be kept: but make them easy to locate later by placing them in clearly-marked file boxes. Dated files should be kept in a separate storage area in order to free up valuable working space.
2. Take control of your desktop and get it fixed up right. First clear off the top of your desk and give it a good wipe-down; empty your drawers and pitch what you don't need, setting aside the stuff you want to keep. Use drawer inserts if necessary to help you keep your desk drawers organized as you return needed items to their assigned space.
3. Use desk-top organizers and trays for items such as: in/out mail, office supplies, pens, etc. How you label or use these organizational items is highly individual, but the trick is to actually USE them, leaving virtually nothing floating around loose on your desk top.
4. Other than your organizers, the only things that should remain on your desk top are a computer, phone, card file or other system for contacts, and possibly a fax machine if you use one regularly. Resist the urge to fill your actual desktop space with knickknacks, family photos, and other unnecessary items: they will just add clutter!
5. Get your files in order. The trick is to keep your filing system as simple as possible and extremely manageable, or you will not use it optimally. Color-coding is a great way to stay organized, as is alphabetizing. You never want to overstuff file drawers: the drawers should slide in and out easily for simple document retrieval. If you use hanging folders, you should always tab them in the front to make information more visible.
Taking the time to get your office space initially organized feels great, but it's only the beginning. You must also work to maintain that organization on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis for your new system to endure over the long term: it really is worth it!
Author Resource:
Advanced Filing Concepts (http://www.filing.com/) sell thousands of different office products, filing products and most major brands. Art Gib is a freelance writer.Distributed by Content Crooner
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