HOW TO: Organize Your Work / Home Office

Article Review: Joseph Anthony's "Office a Mess? 7 Tips to Get Control"

I'm an organization freak. I like things neat and tidy. Not that I'm a perfectionist - it just works. There are a lot of benefits, especially if you have a lot going on with your life like keeping two or more jobs or, have a family. I'm sure that you have one way or another been in a position when you hoped for a nicer, cleaner, better-looking home or office. I found the best source to help us tidy up, and better up.

Joseph Anthony's "Office a Mess? 7 Tips to Get Control"

What I like about this article is that it gives guide questions to help us know when we already do need some organization. Here's what to ask:

o Do you regularly find yourself rifling through a stack of papers - not able to find that one little task that you were supposed to do days ago?

o Have you suggested meeting with clients outside of your office because it looks like a tornado cut through it?

o Is there a file on your desk that's been sitting there, unopened, for weeks and you don't have the foggiest what's in it?

o Is your filing cabinet filled to the brim so that you can't squeeze even one more file into it?

Now that you get the signal then let's get going. Anthony suggests some of the easiest ways to de-clutter:

1. Use hanging files. Files -> Folders -> Hanging Folders (For easy handles and labels)

2. Have a file of files. Files Index listing all of your files (for avoiding unnecessary duplicates in too many file folders)

3. Make a "to do" pile, and then, actually, do it. A "priority folder" keeping papers, phone calls, messages, or projects that needs to be done first - take it out from the drawer and be done with it, before pulling out others (For a breezier desk.)

4. Use your wastebasket. A 'working' trash bin - feed it with papers that don't currently have a use-plan, even those you know won't be needed immediately. (For avoiding 'obsessive/paranoid' paper collection by discarding things you probably don't and won't be needing)

5. Get rid of "miscellaneous," "assorted" and "other" folders. (For keeping you from saving those trash!)

6. Organize your contact information. Business/address cards taped right to the files, or, personal digital assistant or contact management software (Microsoft Office Outlook) or business card scanner, as contact information index. (For stopping you from having useless inconvenient stacks of cards)

7. Use your computer. 'E-files,' documents scanned into the computer (Microsoft XP) or electronically transmitted to others (For maintenance and ease.)

So far these are the best organization tips that I've heard from a real expert.

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. Office Feng Shui Tips