Archive for the ‘home offices’ Category

Hate to file? Where’s your file cabinet located?

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

 

At home or at work, a simple, easy-to-use filing system is the best way to keep track of all the paper you accumulate. Unfortunately, even when people have a good filing system in place, filing is often a dreaded task. In one online poll about which office chore people hated the most, filing was the winner, hands-down!

Since good paper management requires filing your papers on a regular basis, if you hate to file, you need to figure out why and what to do about it. A good place to start your diagnosis is with the LOCATION OF YOUR FILE CABINET. A file cabinet situated in an unpleasant, out-of-the-way or hard-to-reach spot in your home is unlikely to be used as often as it should be. That can lead to papers not being filed in a timely way and you not being able to find items you need when you need them as a result, to say nothing of the clutter that piles of unfiled paper can create.

Place your file cabinet in a convenient locale where you can easily take advantage of its storage capabilities and, who knows, you may actually learn to love filing!

Posted in home offices, mail/bills/paper/filing, offices, productivity, step savers, storage, time management | Comments Off

National Organize Your Home Office Day & National Clutter Awareness Week

Friday, March 5th, 2010


Here’s the definition of clutter that I like: Clutter is postponed decision making. Can you relate? I thought so. Certain decisions you avoid making, for one reason or another, create clutter. De-cluttering will be difficult – if not impossible – until you face them and take the necessary action. I sometimes jokingly say to clients that I do organizing, not magic. Believe me, if I had one, I would be happy to wave a magic wand and make everyone’s clutter disappear!

Tuesday, March 9 is National Organize Your Home Office Day and National Clutter Awareness Week is March 15-19. Most of you are probably fully “aware” of your clutter and don’t really need an official National Week to notice it or an official National Day to know that your desk needs organizing. However, they provide a reminder and an opportunity to actually take the time to think about how clutter affects your life – and the lives of those around you – and DO something about it. Doing something about it means learning new habits and behaviors that help you get and stay organized. It also means getting yourself help if you need it.

You need the right plan and the right products to successfully get organized. Asking someone you feel close to to help you is a valid approach and it can be effective IF they are able, willing and have the time and the skills. If no such person exists, a Professional Organizer can provide both and do it quickly, efficiently and discreetly. A good organizer knows what works and – just as importantly – what doesn’t. For these reasons, many people prefer the specialized skills and training that a Professional Organizer has to offer. Just as you would consult a doctor, lawyer, financial planner, auto mechanic, personal trainer, etc., you can feel confident turning to a Professional Organizer for reliable, skilled and confidential help if you’re having trouble getting or staying organized. There’s no substitute for being guided by an expert in the field who will calmly help you without judgment, provide you with motivation and keep you focused and on track.

Posted in clutter, disorganization, home offices | Comments Off

Do you suffer from “excessive office inventory” syndrome?

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

 

 

Working with three different clients last week, I was reminded once again how many pen, pencil, 3-ring binder, copy paper, file folder, rubber band, paper clip, envelope, scotch tape, staple remover, lined pad, post-it-note, etc. hoarders there are out there! If your stash of office supplies could give Staples a run for its money, but you can’t find what you need when you need it, it’s time to get organized so you know exactly what you have and where it’s located.
Unnecessary expenditures related to disorganization – like buying duplicates of misplaced items or items you already own! – can cost as much as 15% to 20% of your annual budget. In these tight economic times, that can really pinch. So, get your office supplies organized and check your stock levels before you hit the stores! You’ll have more money in your pocket and less clutter in your office if you do.

Posted in home offices, money savers, offices, reduce/reuse/recycle | Comments Off