10 Critical Tips for Clearing Office Clutter

I haven't been able to work very much these past few days, due to a neck injury. Thank goodness for my awesome Virtual Assistant who keeps everything under control when I can't!

But I found this article that was recently published on my article directory, and thought I could type long enough to share it with you. :) As 2008 is winding down, it's a good time to declutter our offices, our minds and our businesses. Enjoy!

10 Critical Tips for Clearing Office Clutter by Janet Nusbaum, The Organizing Genie

Having trouble finding your desk amidst the clutter? Follow these easy steps, consistently, and you'll experience greater focus and productivity as a result.

1. Define the purpose of each space in your office and be sure that everyone who shares the space understands how it is to be used.

2. Keep only high-use items on your desktop - computer, telephone, project files, good lighting, notepaper, stapler, To Do list, calendar/planner, and only what you are working on right now.

3. Use vertical space around your desk effectively - put photos and calendars on your wall, not on your desktop.

4. Organize supplies in a desk drawer organizer or supply drawer within “fingertip reach” of your desk chair.

5. Place a wastebasket, recycling bin, and/or shredder where you process your mail.

6. Trim the F.A.T. - File, Act, Toss. Professional Organizer, Barbara Hemphill tells us that the only choices we have for dealing with paper is to File it, Act on it, or Toss it.

7. Create zones in your workspace for incoming and outgoing paper, filing and a work surface. Resist co-mingling each zone.

8. Create an Action File System and place all "action required" items in the system. The Action File System works in-conjunction with your calendar. Simplified Spaces can help you implement this system in your office or home.

9. File non-action required papers in an accessible "reference file system"

10. Schedule office clean-up/organizing on your calendar, or you will always lean toward a competing priority. Face it … most of us would prefer to do about anything else than to spend a day organizing their office or home.

Being clear about what activities you want to perform in your workspace and where, having clear surfaces in which to work, and the tools you need to perform those activities in easy access, will significantly improve what you're able to accomplish in a day. In the process, you'll reduce your stress level and free up time and energy for what matters most.

This is an preview from our upcoming booklet "The Simplified Office - A Complete Guide to Clear Office Clutter for Good!

Janet Nusbaum, AKA The Organizing Genie, an Organizing Consultant, Speaker, Coach and author of 'Mom, Can I Help Around the House?' helps individuals, families and businesses organize life and navigate transitions. Grab a copy of Janet's FREE special report "Shelf Life of 75 Common Household Products" here, http://www.TheSimplifiedHome.net. Get even more help deciding what to keep and what to toss by visiting her blog - http://www.TheOrganizingGenie.com.


Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com