Freshly-sharpened No. 2 pencils. Brand new spiral notebooks. Theres nothing like new school supplies to make you jealous of the teens standing at the bus stop. Back-to-school always meant a fresh start for you as a kid, and theres no reason you cant clean off the chalkboard and start over with an office makeover.
Whether you work in an office 9-to-5 or in your home 24-7, having an organized office space is essential to accomplishing tasks with more finesse and less stress. Follow these 5 steps to get your office, and life, in order.
1. Make a Clean Sweep
Start by clearing off your workspace completely. This process gives you a new perspective on the space you have to work with, as well as your current organizational habits. Sort through your paperwork, placing similar items in stacks togetherincluding a pile for the trash.
2. Find Your File Style
Before you start to throw things in the circular file (a.k.a. the trash can), take a moment to assess the way you work. This will help you determine how to set up your space and what tools youll need to make it work. Do you spend all eight hours at your desk? You may want to create a detailed filing system to minimize desk clutter. Is your office more of a home base you touch occasionally throughout the day? Consider using a binder system to take your projects on-the-go.
3. Zone Out
Professional organizers know that the neatest office spaces are in the zone. This method of organization creates a dedicated space for different tasks, keeping all the tools and information you need to complete that task close at hand. For example, you might have a phone zone that includes your phone, headset, sticky notes and pens for message taking and a laminated phone list posted above.
4. Shop for Supplies
Why should school kids have all of the fun? You dont have to settle for plain manila folders and the standard issue black pen cup, celebrate your new space with some cool tools. Check out hip stationery lines like Russell + Hazel® for files with style and for more sassy supplies.
5. Make it Personal
All work and no play can make anyone a dull girl. Make your office more like home with personal touches such as a poster from a favorite artist, your favorite scented candle and, of course, framed pictures of friends and family.
Extra Credit: Just because youre on company timeeven if its your owndoesnt mean you cant have some me time. Handling paper throughout the day can take its toll on your hands, keep a tube of JOHNSON'S® SOFTCREAM™ Extra Care Healing Hand Cream in your desk and let JOHNSON'S® nurture youeven at work!
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