New Year, New Beginnings - Get Organized Part 2

After finishing my last blog about getting organized at home, I looked around the office and realized this place can be just as bad as at home with collected clutter over the years.  So let's look at clearing the clutter and getting a "breathable" workspace.  

Just like when you clean out your closet, think about whether you’ve needed something within the last year. Make a “toss” pile, a “store” pile and a currently active “to-do” pile. If you have not touched it or have no idea what it is for or about, then chunk it.  If it is something you need to keep for records, file it and if possible store those files out of site but easily accessible.  Is it something you are currently working on but don't need this moment, then file in a convenient spot, a to-do, create a space near you.  

OK, you have created that stack of items that you really don't need right now or even in a couple of weeks, but you need to keep.  Its time to store it, organize it in a way that makes sense to you keeping related items together and then put in a box.  Mark the box with the items and year and put it where it is out of the way like the back of the closet or a storage area. 

Now take a look at your desk again.  All those items that you keep close to you because you are working on them, put the items that are relate to each other together,file in a clearly marked folder and then create a space for those files near you.  Keep that area close to you so you will not be tempted to keep them on your desk, but will put them up.  

Now that you have everything in tip top shape, keep up the good work.  Remember the one-touch rule.  As something comes to your desk figure out if it needs to be acted on, filed or trashed.  Do the same thing with your email.  You can move emails to folders on your computer as well.  So keep your inbox tidy.  It will not seem so overwhelming when you open your inbox and find only the emails you need to deal with compared to the one that you have already answered or didn't need to deal with in the first place.  It might also be time to unsubscribe to some of those emails :)

OK, now take a breath and try some of these exercises to keep you from feeling overwhelmed. Keep your office space and yourself in shape. http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/exercise-at-your-desk