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A Succession of “Green” Office Supplies

Mary Emma Allen — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:57:55 +0000

As more people are becoming “green” conscious, not necessarily “green” extreme, you’ll find more office supplies and gadgets developed that help preserve and conserve our environment, as well as make life easier for us.

I’ll check out some of these over the next few posts at My Organized Biz to help you see about organizing your office and business in a “green” manner. I’ll also try to find some “green” web sites that assist with this.

If you’re using “green” and recycled supplies that you find especially handy, do let me know. Also, if some of the green supplies don’t hold up so well, we should know about this, too.

(Image: sxc.hu)

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How “Green” are Your Business Supplies?

Mary Emma Allen — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:55:38 +0000

Are you organizing yourself to align with the “green” movement sweeping our country...and the world? This doesn’t mean you have to go to the extreme and incorporate some foolish ideas that seem popular but actually aren’t affecting the environment at all.

However, by researching how you can incorporate “green” (reusing, upusing, recycling, etc.) into your business, you may attract more customers and clients. On the other hand, if you emphasize “green to the extreme,” you may turn some people away. You need a balance.

Look into office supplies and see how you can save, reuse, and recycle. Are you being most effective in your use of these items? Are you using those that save on the environment? Are you finding new uses and new products that will be helpful in your business?

Make a list of what you can do and then begin to organize yourself toward “green” in the sensible, not extreme.

For instance, when I don’t need the material in file folders any longer, I recycle the folders, turning then inside out or making a new label. We have accumulated a huge pile of folders, emptied out since I started my 20 minutes per day of organization.

What are you doing about “organizing” green?

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Finding Online Tools for Organizing

Mary Emma Allen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:10:55 +0000

Learning from the suggestions and experiences of others can aid you in your own organizing. Frequently you’ll find online lists, suggestions, and advice that will prove helpful. You don’t have to take everything you see and read about, only that which you can adapt to your own business to work more efficiently, productively and profitably.

Check out some of these suggestions for a start:

To-Do Lists: 12 Online Tools for Organizing Your Tasks by Alyssa Gregory

Must-Have Organizing Tools for home and office

Organizing Products

What have you found that’s particularly helpful?

(Image:sxc.hu)

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Tackling Small Tasks When You Spy Them

Mary Emma Allen — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 08:00:40 +0000

Instead of waiting until you have time to complete an entire task, tackle small ones when you see them. They may not seem like much, but they’re one less item on your “to do” list.

File mail as it comes in and toss out junk.
File even one piece that accumulates on your desk; for instance, my husband just opened his mail and handed me an insurance paper. Instead of leaving it on my desk, I’ll stick it in the correct file.
Haul a box/file/bag to the next room when you head in that direction.
Clear a counter
Take meal dishes to the sink when you head there. (I often eat lunch while I work in the office.)
Get one piece of mail ready; don’t wait until you have half an hour to spend on correspondence.
While you wait…file, sort, make notes, etc. My laptop often is slow at some procedures. This morning while waiting for pages to come up and an upgrade to finish, I sorted and filed papers on my desk (my “to do” pile), filed a pile I’d deposited on the floor, then went through some compartments in my wall organizer and tossed out outdated items.

What small tasks do you get out of the way so you don’t waste time and are further ahead in your organizing?

(Image at sxc.hu)

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Enlist Your Family in Your Organization

Mary Emma Allen — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:34:41 +0000

Sometimes you can’t organize everything yourself, or you get so far behind in your organizing that you get discouraged. Enlist others to help you, especially in your family.

If they aren’t involved in your business, arrange for help in your home, with work around the home, with other family tasks that enable you to be more efficient and effective in your business. My family often pitches in with work around the home when I have deadlines.

I recall the time I had a book deadline and had to closet myself into our bedroom where I had my computer and research set up. I pretty much only came out for meals that week or to take a walk for exercise. I had young grandchildren around, but didn’t have to help with them during that period, unless they accompanied me on my walks. The rest of the family took care of laundry, household tasks, meals which enabled me to concentrate on organizing my research, proof reading with my editor, and finishing my draft.

How do you enlist your family’s help with your organizing or when you have deadlines in your type of business?

(Image: sxc.hu)

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Shredding Paper for Efficiency & Security

Mary Emma Allen — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:00:35 +0000

Jean Murray wrote a former post, Green Office: Recycle Your Shredded Office, and detailed ways to use this again as well as tossing the paper into a recycling bin.

A reader recently mentioned:

You may want to check with your recycling facility. Not all recycling companies accept shredded paper as some machines are clogged by such shreds.

Thanks for visiting My Organized Biz and leaving your comment. It is a good idea to check and see if your recycling facility accepts shredded paper and how they want it packaged.

At our recycling facility, which accepts shredded paper, they do want it bagged or boxed, not tossed loose into the paper collection or even the general trash, allowing it to fly all over the place. So since it can be recycled with the regular paper and non corrogated boxes, we package it in paper bags or cereal boxes. If you toss it in with the regular trash, at least tie it into a plastic bag.

So when you’re excited about recycling, make sure what you’re doing is helpful and follows the desired procedures. Otherwise it could all be for naught.

(Image: sxc.hu)

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Mary Emma Allen – New Blogger at My Organized Biz

Mary Emma Allen — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:40 +0000

I shall be blogging here at My Organized Biz and helping you with your business organization and planning. I’ll take you through some of my organization as I try to better utilize my time, thus becoming more productive and profitable.

Image: sxc.hu

I also blog at b5’s Home Biz Notes and write at Blisstree’s Parenting and Arts/Crafts sections. I’ve begun blogging at Small Business Boomers as well. In addition, I do substitute teaching during the school year and work at a supermarket deli in the summer, while keeping up with my writing and helping my husband with an Internet based business.

I live in a multi-generational home, so I need to learn and practice more organizational techniques. So organizing myself and learning more organizational practices should enable me to accomplish more and to help you organize, too.

I’d also like you to share your organizational and planning techniques and tips with us here at My Organized Biz.

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A Year Ago on My Organized Biz (March)

Becky Scott — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:00:49 +0000

We’re already a week into March, and almost a quarter of the way into the new year. I found a few articles from last year around this time that might interest you, and thought I’d share them here. The archives hold a lot of great ideas. If you haven’t looked through them yet, search your favorite terms and find some inspiration!

Recession-proofing your organized biz
With the economy still struggling, you may wonder how to keep your business afloat. Read this article for some tips on facing your money issues.

Help! Can I get my taxes done on time?
We still have a little over a month before the April 15th tax deadline. Are you ready? This article gives tips on beating the clock to get your taxes filed.

Are you safe when wireless?
Considering that I’m writing this at a coffeehouse, this article caught my eye. I use a secure wireless card for my connection. What do you use? Be wary of using whatever network pops up on your connection list. Some are there just to steal data.

Check this list before you leave the house/office
I think we’ve all managed to forget important items at one time or another. Planning ahead and creating a checklist will help minimize your stress. You’ll have everything you need and you’ll look more professional and together in front of your clients.

Top 10 things to do every day
Want to ease your stress? Here’s a list of the 10 things you should do every day to make your work less chaotic — and more enjoyable.

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Can reducing stress increase productivity?

Becky Scott — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:12:51 +0000

It’s tough to get things done when you’re stressed. It can distract you, making it hard to concentrate on a project, or at meetings. Maybe you need some extra brain power to figure out the costs for an important bid. Or you’re just reading something really complicated and need all of the focusing power you can get.

Stress detracts from your ability to do all of that, doesn’t it?

For some people, clearing their desk will help relieve a bit of stress. It’s one less thing to worry about, and it gives you a clean workspace. Others prefer to have a tidy to do list, all mapped out and ready to go. Or maybe a few quick yoga stretches or a jog around the block helps clear your mind.

Whatever it is, what you find helps lower your stress level just a bit, make sure you use it. Take a 5 – 10 minute break. Stand up. Stretch. Breathe deeply. Take a walk.

You may feel like you don’t have time, but that’s probably when you need it most. Go on, take a short stress-relief break. Then see how you do when you get back. I think I’ll go try it right now!

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I voted! – and a quick update

Becky Scott — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:50:41 +0000

Did you?

Regardless of your affiliation, I hope you managed to clear the time to vote. It certainly was an historic election. But I’m honestly glad it’s over. I got tired of the phone calls and gobs of junk mail.

It’s time to fire up my shredder again, and get ready to recycle all of the political flyers. I’ve been using them to pack things. We’re going to be rearranging some rooms and I’m clearing out some shelves to make it easier to move furniture.

I don’t have the time to do it all at once, so I’m taking a few minutes here and there to make some progress. Remember, just taking 15 minutes over several days will get you further than doing nothing at all. More tomorrow! It’s been along day

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