Our topic at this month’s Jersey Shore Direct Sellers Networking Group was follow-up. I LOVE my follow-up system but none of it works if my office is a hot mess! About once a month, I need to take time to completely organize my office AGAIN!
Wouldn’t it be nice to walk into your home office and be able to find exactly what you need, right away? Imagine the time I would save (and you). One less “project” so you could spend time with your family, friends and actually working in your business, and not on it.
With a little time and the right organizing tools, you can make it happen! You can transform your home office from a HOT MESS to an efficient, well-functioning space which will help you to achieve your biggest business goals. Redoing your entire office can be a HUGE undertaking, so unless you have a full weekend to devote to it, why not focus on one area at a time.
Pick one thing which needs attention. Let’s think about what would work for your follow-up system. Do you have a filing cabinet? Or do you just use the drawers of your desk? Or do you just shuffle piles of papers on your desk?
Clear out and organize your papersA great first step is to clear out all the papers in your office, whether they’re stacked on your desk or spilling from your filing cabinet. Take this chance to scrub the cleared-off areas, too, so you’ll have a perfectly clean space to work with.
Then use the rule of threes to organize to sort your stacks: one pile to toss or shred, one to file and one that needs action. When I am working I use the principal of never touching a paper more than once! Yes, it can be done.
A couple of Fold N’ Files in a color which complements your home décor work well to store the important documents you need to keep accessible. I have several of them. I love the fact they fit in my zip top organizing tote so when I need to travel, I can take files with me without having to pull them out.
Use creative storage solutions to better utilize space. Often, a home office is part of a shared space, which means getting creative with your storage.Portable storage like the new-for-spring Your Way Display Bin not only gives you a handy place to store loose odds and ends like staplers, calculators and pens, but it also lets you combine (and carry) multiple solutions to best fit your needs: Think Double Duty Caddies for paperwork, Mini Storage Bins for crafts or a Mini Catch-All Bin for gift-wrapping supplies. The result? A clean, uncluttered home office with more desk space where you need it.
Since it’s inevitable that certain items will make it into your office that don’t belong there, keep a portable tote or storage container under your desk to toss them into. A Catch-All Bin, Your Way Rectangle or Your Way Rectangle Basket all work well for catching your miscellaneous bits and pieces. Don’t forget to color-coordinate for added appeal!
Once a day or once a week, take the container with you through the house to return your stray items to where they belong.
An organized home office doesn’t have to be just a dream. Once you’ve transformed your space, share your pictures with us! We love seeing newly organized spaces which make great use of our fun and functional Thirty-One Gifts products. Additional tips can be found on Thirty One’s blog
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 