Little dude & daddy went on an adventure to Home Depot and I organized the office! It’s really amazing how much junk mail you get! Save some trees! It probably doesn’t help that my job requires that files are kept for 7 years! We are trying to make the switch to electronic files but that will take some time. My hubby’s job also required some work at home so he needs a workspace too! So we must share the office. I’ve always been pretty organized but sharing a space makes it very difficult.
In our house, the office kind of became the dumping ground for items that didn’t have homes, storage, or just junk! Organizing the office was a top priority because we need to work in there & I’m one of those people that can’t get stuff done if my desk is not clean. Or maybe that’s my way of procrastinating from getting my work done. Either way, it was long overdue! When cleaning this office, the same problem arose again. Where were all of these items going to go?
Here are some of the suggestions I found super helpful! Functional & easy is my main goal!
1. Remove everything that does not belong in the office, to make way for the office furniture you’ve always wanted.
2. Clear off your desk ( took everything off my desk and start over with just my computer & post-it notes. I got rid of picture frames and it amazing how much more room I have!)
3. Have an inbox for current projects, bills, to-do items. Inbox is meant to be emptied every week. ( this one maybe a little difficult but am going to give it a try. I made an inbox & outbox folder. I wanted to keep it smaller then a box. I was nervous that if I made my inbox or outbox too big tasks wouldn’t get done. I think a file folder maybe the perfect size and I won’t need to take up more space with baskets)
4. Create outbox for items that need to be filed ( I need to set a time each week to go through and file)
5. Go wireless and get rid of all the extra cords (Duh! We live in a wireless world. Why am I still plugging into my printer? This is huge! )
6. Create a space for office tools/ supply. Keeping it on your desk creates too much clutter. ( I have a shelf over the desk for the stapler, 3- hole punch, tape, etc. pens, paper clips, etc. and in the desk draw).
7. Get rid of paper to do list! (This is a super hard one for me! My problem is I create a list & then forget it or miss place it. Going electronic is definitely probably much easier but just seems like more work for some reason).
Hopefully as time goes on we’ll get more organized. Another thing I may try to get rid of the paper is to request bills electronically. I’m not sure but maybe something else. I’m gonna look into it.