Office1000 Blog April Archive

Is your energy getting stuck behind your desk?

By Disorganization at 04/30/2007 11:38

When you come into your office, do you ever think of what is behind your desk? if it looks anything like mine, you are looking at a pile of jumbled wires and cables, extra paper clips and stuff, and probably a lot of dirt.

Did you know that energy gets stuck in neglected places, in messes, in tangled up stuff, and in corners. Not being a feng-shui master, I did not realize this, but after reading the information, I intend to tackle the space behind my desk. Maybe I won't have to get up so early in the morning, cause all my energy is probably hiding back there!

Get organized and stay organized

• Online Organization: If you are computer-friendly, you may be familiar with the program Outlook. You can use Outlook to keep track of your emails, your daily schedule, your to do list, client phone numbers and email addresses and more
• For those that are not as technologically advanced, you can still get organized by using old fashioned paper products. If you do not have a day planner, get one
• Oh, the Dreaded Taxes: April 15 is a day that many Americans dread – it is the due date for your taxes! An easy way to keep track of receipts is to get a hanging file folder and 12 manila envelopes

Clean up your desk in thirty seconds and improve your attitude for work!

Do you come in to your office and sit in your chair and just sigh? Is your workspace covered with papers, bills, envelopes, pens, pencils and every other type of clutter imaginable?

Who could work in an organized fashion under those conditions? Take 30 seconds, maybe a little bit more if your desk looks like mine, and create a breath of fresh air for your work day!

• Put all the pens, pencils and highlighters in a container or pencil holder. I personally use a coffee mug.

• Put all the little items such as paper clips, post it notes, stamps (you know what I am talking about) in their respective places. You may keep them in a supply drawer in your desk or in an organizer on top of your desk. Either way, put them where they belong.

• Get rid of all the trash. This includes pop cans or whatever, junk mail, empty envelopes (all of the "trash" into your trash receptacle.

• That should pretty much leave the paperwork and folders. Make two stacks: one for work that should be accomplished ASAP and put it right next to you on the right or left. The other pile (and file away what you don't need) should go in a stack out of the way AWAY from your monitor. You shouldn't have to look over anything in order to work. You should not have anything directly in front of you.

• That should pretty well cover it. Now enjoy your day!

What does it take to inspire you to clean up your toxic office space?

Reading what this person had to say, I found much of myself in her dilemma. I was tripping over files on the floor and had every surface covered with this, that and the other thing. There was disorganization everywhere. The worst part was I had no idea how to go about reorganizing.

In this video are some absolutely great tips on organizing your workspace, from beginning to end:

• You must remove everything from your workspace so you can decide what is essential to you and what needs to be eliminated from your space
• Donate, donate, donate everything that is usuable that you do not need, leaving room for the important items
• Assign everything a home or space. Define every shelf, desk surface and drawer to make sure everything has a purpose.
• Buy fabulous containers. Organizing can be FUN! From Barbie pink file folders to neat files on rollers, whatever strikes your fancy to make your office totally enjoyable but neat.
• The essential items should be close to you and easily accessible to promote creativity. You may put magazines that are important to you in a magazine rack front and center. You may need some binders on your work surface or a nearby shelf to hold ideas. You will need an organized supply drawer.
• One of the most important things is to make sure your desktop is free of clutter. It will increase your energy and even your overall attitude.

Organization for the Working Parent's Home Office

If you are operating a business from your home, these might be some handy organizational ideas to help coordinate things between having a home office and a family in the same house.

• Communication: establish a protocol for interruptions, discussing your normal working hours, and basic rules to be followed. Be ready to listen, question, and explain every detail fully
• Organization: the basic proper tools include a strong internet connection (especially if you have an internet home based business), a dedicated telephone (it can be a cell phone), a place to keep files and notes, and a way of organizing your incoming work
• Limitations: set limitations with your family so they know how to approach you in non-emergency circumstances. You could designate a signal that will visually tell them you cannot be interrupted unless it is an emergency. This could be as simple as a closed door or a sign you hang outside of your office
• Prioritize: Invest in a calendar, and make sure you update it regularly with appointments, school activities, deadlines, etc
• Commitment: Your word is important within your family and your business - so unless something happens that you cannot control, live up to what you say
• Flexibility: A work at home office can truly make a difference in narrowing the gap between career and family, especially if the office is organized and the expectations with your family are firmly in place

How to Use Stacking Folders to Get Along with Your Co-Workers

Regardless of your work place, there are a few simple tools you can always employ that can help you get along better with your co-workers. The obvious ones include personal hygiene and abstaining from racist jokes, but did you know that you can also win friends and influence subordinates merely by employing stacking folders? Here are a few of the more common ways to do so.

You won't appear elitist just because your inbox is of higher elevation. A stack perhaps ten-high just means that you really care about getting your interoffice memos, and noticing them when they come in.

Having a complicated series of boxes in, out and otherwise makes your work appear so complicated that others will be afraid of it, insuring no one will try to steal your job.

In a pinch, stacking folders make a great fort for protection against having to look at your coworkers.

Whether you work in an office or not, you can still use them. If you sell doughnuts, consider this a unique, though peculiar way, to file and organize your goods for display.

If you have a problem with staring out the window you've been luckily graced with, use an extensive array of stacking folders to obscure the view, thus keeping you on task, more productive, and a better coworker all around.

If you want to really get along with your coworkers, you can have one stacked folder for each letter of the alphabet, thus converting your entire filing system from that pesky horizontal method, to a more interesting vertical system.

Emergency preparedness may be the best tool you have in case of the unexpected. Always bear in mind that stacking folder, while light enough to throw with significant velocity, also have pokey, jabby edges that can leave a would-be assailant with nasty lumps to the noggin in dire moments of need.

The Benefits of Disorganization

I realize that the object for this blog may be to sell more office supplies and especially organizational products. However, I feel compelled to offer an oposing view today. An interesting question was raised on slashdot, are you a slob? Do you pile papers on top of folders on top of game boxes? We know from the photo shown here that at least one person out there is. A google search for messy office photos tells us that it is a serious problem. Or is the problem so serious? Yes, we might agree that many people are "slobs", but the slashdot discussion provides from more insight: The arguments then begin: "I think you are missing the point. Messy people aren't more productive because they save time on not clearing things up. The theory is that our brains are not organized in the same orderly manner as books on a library shelf. Our minds are actually quite messy and random, which allows us to be flexible and creative by linking seemingly unrelated things together in an instance." If you have this "problem" buying tons of organizational products may not help you. It might however, make your co-workers and family members happy. Slobs Found To Be More Productive Than Neatniks