The DIY Guide To Organizing Your Space
How many times have you heard the old axiom “A place for everything, and everything in its place?” You may say “Yeah, I know” but how many of us are truly organized in our home and work areas? Studies show that an organized space increases productivity and keeps us in a better frame of mind. In this three part series, we discuss organizing your space in home and office.
Getting It Together
First, I do not believe in making organization of a space a religion as some do. Studies have shown that a well organized space increases energy levels and stops procrastination on important tasks. I believe this is true because a desk littered with paper and half a dozen pens and pencils, unopened mail and just plain clutter is very distracting. Your eyes are constantly drawn to stacks of bills, opened CD jewel cases, old receipts and scraps of paper with cryptic messages you wrote down in a hurry. I know how true this is – as a writer, I experienced these things on a daily basis. A little time spent organizing the work area before you begin work does wonders for increasing focus and productivity.
Do’s And Don’ts
Don’t make the mistake of simply moving these things out of your work area, and piling them up somewhere out of the way. Do deal with them promptly. When I worked in voc rehab, my supervisor taught me to handle a piece of paper once – never look it over, set it down in a pile, and deal with it later. Before you know it, that stack of paper is three feet deep on your desk, you spend wasted time searching for a record or document, and tons of frustration is thrown into the mix. Deal with the document, make any entries or notations you need to make, be sure it doesn’t have an important deadline, such as a bill, and then file it in an appropriate manner. Do have space and containers for specific items. There is a container or organizer made for just about any item you can name. Take a little time in an office supply store and find what both appeals and works for you. Create your own filing system – not all the recommended theories available today works for everybody.
Some, like me, seek the simplest way of organization. Others need something a bit more detailed. I have always remembered what a colleague told me – if you don’t browse through a pile in six weeks looking for a document, then that pile can go. Remember, some documents and receipts may be needed for long term storage, such as tax documents or items that must be retained for a specific amount of time. If this is the case, store the documents in an appropriately labeled box, and put them in storage, not in the corner of your work area. Take a little time to get organized, and become more productive in the process.
get diy tips by email