Organizing Blogs by Professional Organizers
Discover organizing tips and simple creative solutions
to help you get organized.
Tag >> Home and Office Organizing Solutions
The more we work with home office clients, the more we enjoy hearing their success stories. None of them had a realistic or valid reason that they weren't organized. Their excuses were: not enough time, they felt too overwhelmed to begin the process, they were actually afraid to begin the process and last, they just really didn't have a legitimate reason...just because. Let's check out the excuses: Not enough time. Well, this is just silly! Organizing your home office is one of the best investments that you can make in yourself and after reading this article you still find that you are wanting to get organized but don't have the time, consider hiring a Professional Organizer in your area. This will cut the time in less than half and you will have a fresh set of eyes that will help you not just start the process, but complete the process. Realistically, a lot of business just don't knowso the amount of time that it will take them to become organized becomes greater and greater as the months and years go by. In order to begin the process, block out the time on your calendar - it can be as little as 30 minutes a day. You can easily accomplish this by adding an the extra time in the beginning or end of your day. Remember, it won't be forever! Just until you are organized! Too overwhelmed to begin the process. What I will say is...stop your procrastinating now. When your office is organized your give yourself permission to grow your business. One recent client's comments about her feelings after getting organized were: "Mentally freed", "More efficient" and "My bank account looks beautiful". She knew that her organizing style was simple and easy and we were able to find ways to allow her to organize not just her home office but also her portable office. The result is - No More Overwhelm.
You've made the commitment before but 2012 will be different! This is Your Year! You know what to do and how to do it and this year you are going to stick to it! Get 'ur done! Stay focused and reach your goals. You have bought every possible organizing supply and tool that is available because they all promise to get you organized, right! And...they have to work because you just spent a ton of money. So how do you ensure that you reach your goals this year? Your mindset and habits will dictate your success, no matter what your goals are. Just like starting a diet, getting your space and mind organized takes dedication, obligation and accountability. It takes making a change in your daily habits and this isn't always easy. Think about what areas you find the hardest to keep organized. Is it your paperwork - mail and filing; client follow-up; systems; or maybe your daily schedule? Or, maybe it is that your time is drained by interruptions through email or phone. Everything that we do every day is a choice. (Of course, I'm realistic...emergencies can come up that require your attention). But when you have your daily course of action laid out, interruptions are easily handled and the ability to refocus comes easy. The key to keeping yourself on task is developing a habit/system to handle every part of your day. It seems odd to think about something that something as simple as opening the mail should have a system but it makes such a difference. Let's just take the example of opening the mail. I meet with so many people and home-based businesses that just find it "simpler" to open the mail wherever the happen to be at the time. Because of this, there are receipts and paperwork in the office, kitchen, bedroom, car, in their pants pockets or purse, And then...it just becomes too overwhelming to be able to get it all organized. The thought of sorting, organizing and filing all of the paperwork causes stress and anxiety. And now there just isn't enough time to catch up.
Trying to find the time to de-clutter, organize, down-size, and el iminate can seem impossible. There are only 24 hours in a day so how can we find the time to get organized? And, reality is that you will have to organize again, it won't last forever. Ever feel like this? Because our time is precious ,it's important to make sure that we keep the following in mind when it comes to getting organized: 1. Take Action - Stop dropping everything that comes into your home or office or wherever it is the most convenient. Hang it up, put it in the trash, take it to the bedroom, put it away, file it. Whatever it is....if you don't have to touch it again, you'll save time. 2. Schedule Breaks - So many times we don't start a project because we have the perception of how much time it will take to complete the task. We play silly mind games with ourselves that because it is going to take 45 minutes, we don't have the time. Split up your time. Work for 20 minutes and then take a 5 minute break! When you get back up you'll be able to see the end in sight and actually finish the job. 3. Throw a Party - You are probably saying...WHAT? Do you realize what you are saying? I can't have a party because I can't have anyone see this unorganized mess! That's exactly right...what better reason to begin the organizing process than to celebrate your time and organized space with your friends and family! The party doesn't have to be tomorrow...I'm not talking about maxing out your stress level in order to have a party but schedule it soon and get busy.
 Until a few weeks ago, I had promoted my Personalized Filing System and recommended using a portable file box that could be purchased at Staples, Office Depot or even Wal-Mart, Target or Ross. Staples and Office Depot had more generic type of Portable File Boxes while the Department Stores seemed to have file boxes that are cute and colorful. This seemed to be the best recommendation when it came to finding something affordable and functional that both offices and homeowners could use on a daily basis to handle every piece of paper that they receive.
Then I received my Stadium File Folder from Smead. What a perfect portable system to manage my File It, Find It...FAST Filing system. While it's pretty plain and ordinary; Its portable, lightweight, stadium design makes it even easier for me to find whatever I need, when I need it....(as I preach - within 2 minutes or less)! The benefit of a stadium stand-up file is that it makes filing and finding paperwork even easier because you can see everything that you need immediately, No more fingering through the files to get to what I need! I really think that Smead Office Products designed this just for me and my clients. Although it comes with pre-printed labels that you can easily use to file your paperwork (such as Alphabetical, monthly, numerical and a variety of preprinted tabs such as auto, dental, receipts, etc.), I'm going to choose to use the blank labels and implement my proprietary system so that I can continue to find every piece of paper that I need, when I need it. When a system works, stick with it! This is just a quick and simple switch from what I am currently using and with 11 pockets available, this is more than enough to meet my needs for my: To Do, To Read, To File, Waiting for Response, Tax Receipts, Coupons, Envelopes/Stamps and Kids paperwork. The best part is that it will expand to hold 900 sheets of paper, however, it won't allow things to get too out of control. I even use the front of the folder to store my plastic paper clips (check out the picture) so that they are available whenever I need a paperclip for anything - and it still looks really cute. The Stadium File Folder System has allowed me to be even more productive every day and I'm saving even more time than before because of the design. If you are really creative, you can even decorate the front of the folder and maybe change it out for the holidays or seasons. You can definitely make your Stadium File Folder System something that you will look forward to using every day of the week. If you'd like more information about my Filing System - FFF (File It, Find It...FAST!) I'll be happy to send you an MP3 recording that will cover the process of organizing your paperwork and using the system every day to save time and money.
Do You Worry About Being Organized? Last week the talk was about Worry. It seems that we all have enough to worry about. But, what purpose does worry serve? Does worrying help solve any issues or concerns...No, it doesn't. What worrying can do is cause things to become even more unorganized because your focus is on what can't be changed, not what can be changed. You can easily sit down and let your mind dictate your worry. Maybe you worry about how you will juggle your schedule, paying bills on time, your obligations, finding what you need when you need it, or being the person that you really want to be. Having your home and office organized can help stop the worry. Here are a few tips to Organize Your Day and avoid worry. 1. K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple and Silly (or Stupid). One of the best pieces of advice that I can give anyone about organizing their home or office is to keep the system simple. It doesn't matter if it is a filing system, pantry system or a system for any room or area of your home or office. Keeping the system simple allows everyone to assume some responsibility. 2. Strive for Excellence - Not Perfection - There is no right or wrong way to organize your space. Don't get stuck on having to have the latest and greatest organization systems. Determining what works best for your personality is the answer to getting organized and staying organized. All of the fancy organizing tools and techniques don't mean a thing if you don't use them on a daily basis. Sometimes something as simple as a basket to toss things into can help keep a desk or room clean, clear and organized. Don't feel that everything has to be "perfect" in order for it to be considered organized.
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