(myorganizedbiz.com) – Do you know what work-life balance is? We all seem to know what it means conceptually, but do you actually take the steps to get more balance?
If you work from home it’s especially hard to balance. Work is always within arm’s reach. It’s waiting for you, reminding you of what you didn’t get done today.
What can you do? One thing you can try is separating your office space from your living space. Well, as much as you can, depending on how much space you have.
For instance, at our place, we have very limited space. We’re in a one-bedroom …read more

(myorganizedbiz.com) – So we talk a lot about the virtues of a clean or uncluttered desk. How a nice, clean desk will help you be more productive, help you find things more quickly, polish your car, and shine your shoes. Okay, maybe not the last two.
But do you really need a clean desk? Can a desk have a lot of ’stuff’ on it, neatly organized into categories?
I’m wondering what ways people work best. For some, it’s a minimalist desk: computer, phone, notepad. For others, it’s a desk with tons of pictures and knick knacks. Or maybe everything from a …read more

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – One of my desk drawers is rapidly becoming a junk drawer. Oh, it didn’t start out that way, but over time it has become a sort of catch-all for the things I don’t know what to do with.
The drawer contains a bunch of cords that I know I need for various electronic devices. Software for my laptop and desktop. Extra sharpies. My iPod shuffle. Extra earphones. Battery chargers. There may even be some other items lurking under the mess.
So this week, I’m going to conquer this drawer. I plan to empty it completely and start over. First, …read more

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – I want to extend a big thank you to the awesome bloggers who filled in while I was on my honeymoon. They did an awesome job and if you haven’t checked out their posts, I hightly recommend you take some time to do so!
BIG thanks go to:
Ann Espo at One Bag Nation shared practical ideas to give everything a place.
Vicky White at Life Design Strategies wrote how to Position Your Desk for Power.
Karen Henderson of Get Organized & More shared Feng Shui Tips that Energize Your Office.
Coach Alison Marks of Inside Out Design Coaching asked Is Your Workspace …read more

(myorganizedbiz.com) – Jennifer is on her honeymoon and thrilled to be featuring guest bloggers in her absence. They’re answering a single question: What’s your most important organizing “rule” that helps you enjoy your work more? You’re encouraged to respond as they’ll be awaiting your comments.
Post by Vicky White
Did you ever see a CEO sitting with their back to the door?
I didn’t think so.
Much of Feng Shui is intuitive. What CEOs know instinctively, we often need to be reminded of – especially if our desks or our rooms do not lend themselves to being in the …read more

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Have you been thinking about a new office space somewhere in your home? It can be a perplexing dilemma if you don’t have an eye for finding a perfect nook.
I just read a great article from The Montreal Gazette that has some super solutions so the perfect work space doesn’t have to be such a head-scratcher. Check it out here.
Thanks to Thursday Bram for the tip!

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – If one person’s said it, a thousand have. I’ve said it myself. Does this sound familiar to you?
“I’m really visual. If I can’t see something, I’ll forget all about it and it won’t get done.”
At its worst, people who are strongly visual end up piling things on their desks because they need to be able to see it all. This creates a cramped, cluttered feeling they dislike. Unfortunately, if life gets busy or there isn’t an effective tracking system, things can get out of control and as lost on the desk as a file cabinet.
Visual people hate file …read more

Ready?
Move your chair – If you’re seated, you might be likely to check email or get distracted. So move your chair away from your desk. Stand in front of your desk and give yourself a big picture view.
Set?
Get a timer – Whether it’s lemon-shaped or on your phone, set it for 15 minutes.
Go!
Rev your engine and start moving. Only pick up one thing at a time and then make a decision about where it should go – recycling, garbage, files, mail, etc.

Toss (recycle) anything you haven’t looked at in over a month and/or “might need someday”. Chances are good you …read more

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Casey’s son is away at college – and his sort-of former bedroom is one of her two offices. Her other office (not pictured) is in her basement art studio where she spends more of her time.
Because of the dual location set-up, Casey’s having trouble with not finding or having things where they’re needed… because they’re at the other desk.
Here’s how she describes it:

The computer is located upstairs but there is paperwork going on in both locations. Right now the computer must stay upstairs so one of the main problems is that I’m filing papers (or …read more

Got cords?
Here are 3 tips to solve the snarl.

A great product called the Ativa Burrito is a pouch with a velcro closure.
Plastic twist-ties can hold cords together and also secure a series of loops so all the cords are the right length.
The other great way to wrangle cords? Just put them where you can’t see them. Because humans are such visually-oriented critters, the cords won’t bug you near as much if you can’t see them.
What are your cord dilemmas? Have you found solutions that work for you? Care to share them?