Regardless of how you use your Chesterfield home office, it is difficult to get things done if the area is messy and cluttered. But office organization can be challenging especially when your other tasks also demand so much of your time. Getting and staying organized is a way to reclaim your office space. Here are some organizational strategies recommended by experts that could help you. With this, you will be able to create an organizational system that will boost your productivity in just a few hours throughout your workweek.
Set Up a System
Before clearing off your desk (or your desktop computer), identify where you will be placing everything. That is why creating an organizational system is an important first step. Working with a lot of paper would mean you will need a system that includes things like an inbox, a file rack for open projects, file storage for completed work, a recycling bin, and so on. You can also come up with a way to organize files and documents on your computer, whether by date, alphabetically, chronologically, etc.
Invest in Storage
Even if your work is mostly online, you will still need to keep some important documents and papers in your office. For this reason, you should consider investing in quality storage for your home office. A filing cabinet and some shelving are must-haves for any office. Maximize your office’s vertical space for additional storage. Having taller shelves give you more storage space without crowding your desk area.
Go Digital
Do you feel buried under the paper? Why not try scanning them into digital files instead? There are software programs that allow easy conversion of printed documents, invoices, bills, and so on into digital files. A good quality scanner or all-in-one machine (printer, scanner, fax) will also be a good investment as well as a shredder to destroy documents you no longer need to keep.
Clear Away Clutter
One of the fastest ways to feel more organized in a hurry is to clear the clutter off your desk or other areas of your office. Items unrelated to your current project should not stay on your desk, including office equipment. If possible, have a neatly organized area next to your desk, and store anything you don’t need easy access to into a different room or inside a cabinet or boxes. When your office is organized, it becomes easier to focus on your work.
Re-think Your To-Do List
Another challenging matter for home offices is keeping track of schedules and deadlines. Choose a system to keep track of everything you need to remember and do. This system could be as simple as a desktop planner. If you want to go high-tech, there are also available apps on your computer or smartphone. Make sure that the format you choose for your daily-to-do list works for you, no matter what anyone else is doing.
Make Time for Organization
When you are done organizing your home office, the next challenge is how to maintain that level of organization from day today. One solution is to schedule time for it every week. Schedule it on your calendar, just like you would any other meeting. And then use that time to shred old papers, go through your inbox, or put away clutter. This way, your home office will be maintained and will always be ready for a productive work week.
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