Is this a familiar picture? All of this work piled up on your desk? It can be a little overwhelming and frustrating when you can’t find the phone number you need or the paper that needs to be sent TODAY! To get back in control of your space and time, follow these 10 steps, they will provide you with a more organized system and some relief!
1. Take everything off of your desk, and clean it. It’s simple, you want to start with a clean slate! Clean your keyboard, phones, dust your shelves, vacuum if you need too.
2. Sort your belongings into piles. Decide what to keep, what to recycle, and what is trash. Check your pens and make sure they still work! 80% of what we file, we never look at again, check for duplicate information.
3. Prioritize- what is most important? And decide where it should go in your desk. Most important files in the front. Are there items you do not use frequently that could be place elsewhere in the office?
4. Set up a filing system that is easy to maintain and makes sense to you. Every piece of paper you have should have a home.
5. Set up a system for active files- Manila folders that are labeled: to do, waiting for an answer, current project, to read, to file, etc. This allows paper a place to go to temporarily.
6. Resist the urge to pile up, “touch it once” and make a decision where it should go.
7. Keep office supplies in one drawer.
8. Keep a spiral notebook by the phone for messages and phone numbers, this is only place you will have phone numbers, no more looking for the sticky notes!
9. Keep your work surface clear – only with your current project. Limit your pictures and personal belongings. A clear desk will look less cluttered.
10. Take 10 minutes at the end of the day to organize- look at your schedule for the next day, write your top 3 to do’s. This will allow to stay on top on your organizing system and but will allow you to feel more in control of your schedule. Rather than you schedule being in control of you!
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