How to Organize Your Office

The first thing you must do although it can be quite painful, is go through everything and throw away half of it. Most of the times we tend to stash papers and receipts we think we might need someday. Trust me if it's been a few months and you haven't needed it yet, you aren't going to. So toss it. The process of elimination can be the most difficult; however it's also the most important. You will find so much that can be thrown away. Once you have gotten rid of all the junk you don't need, you can begin categorizing the things you do need. Separate papers and receipts in some way either by date, order of importance, alphabetically or numerically. Now that everything is separated, you can file it or put it in baskets or trays. Make sure you label everything as well. It's so much easier to find when all you have to do is read a label. Getting organized in an unorganized office can be a challenge, but if you follow these steps and take your time, you will have it all straightened out before you know it.

Filing cabinets are a pretty good idea for the most part although they can be deceiving as well, whereas they may give the appearance of an organized office while inside the cabinet, it may be a complete disaster. Try to avoid just throwing everything inside the cabinet. I noticed when I am in a hurry sometimes I won't even look at where I am putting something, then I will have trouble finding it later. You need to make sure things are separated and labeled in there and filed correctly. There should also be a constant rotation of adding new files and throwing old ones away. Although computers have certainly lightened the paperwork load, they haven't eliminated it completely and we still have to stay on top of it.

My office seems to be a bit of a crap magnet, as I'm sure most are. My desk typically seems to get hit the hardest. It's a constant battle to keep things off of it. It seems like everything in the world eventually finds its way in there. I once found a harmonica and a toothbrush on my desk. Random things make there way in and would stay forever if I didn't take care of it immediately. Always be on the lookout for things that don't belong. Make a game of it; find the things that don't belong each day before you begin working. When you find something remove it right away. It's one thing to get organized, but it's another to stay organized. Understanding that it's an ongoing process is half the battle. Constantly toss trash, file, and remove things and you will get organized and stay organized.