If your system works for you, keep doing it. Is organization all about neat files, a clean desk, a fancy day planner? No. To me, being organized is all about being able to work well.

Finding things when you need them. Are you able to put your hands or eyes on something you need within a minute or two (assuming it’s in your work space and not in archival storage)? Do you need to backtrack to remember where you put things, or is your system logical (for you) enough that you know where things are? To me, it’s knowing relatively quickly where I put something and that item actually being where I thought it was.

Scheduling time for efficient work. A project doesn’t get done by just throwing time at it. You need a plan. A working list of what needs to be accomplished. Randomly doing tasks in hopes something will get completed by the end of the day gets you nothing except a few checks on your to-do list.

Meeting your goals. Define what you’re working towards. What are your business goals? Personal goals? Is the work you’re doing each day truly getting you closer to your goals? If they aren’t, you need to stop and figure out why you’re spending precious time on them. Once you know what you want to accomplish, define how you’re going to get there.

These are just three things that define organization for me. What about you? What do you think being organized is all about? Are you working on it, or do you feel like you’ve got it under control? Does it feel like it’s something you can achieve?

[image: morgueFile]

Post from: My Organized Biz

So many of us suffer from the clutter affliction. We have too much paper, too many gadgets, and basically just too much stuff crammed into our offices. What are we to do?

Some people live with the clutter, never quite able to find what they need. Others upgrade their space, thinking that just a little more room will help. And many of us buy more containers to better organize all that stuff.

It’s all too much! That’s precisely the point of Walsh’s book. We have too much stuff. We don’t need all of it. We’re too attached to things.

While the book is geared toward homeowners, there are good points for business owners as well.

Take a look at your office. Define the purpose of the space. Everything that does not fit that space needs to go. It does not belong there. Create zones in the office to help increase your efficiency. Try to keep your horizontal spaces as clear as possible. And notice how a clean desk does wonders for making your office feel calmer and more efficient.

File regularly and get rid of paper clutter. We keep way more paper than we’ll ever need. Be ruthless. If you haven’t looked at something in a year, you probably don’t need it. (Tax returns and other important documents excluded.)

All in all, I found Walsh’s book easy to read and packed with a lot of great information. I was immediately inspired to start purging things I know I don’t need, but had been putting off getting rid of. It’s still a work in progress, but it was just the push I needed.

I still tend to keep too many books and notebooks. But I’m learning what paper to throw away and will hopefully be able to start scanning more receipts for taxes and getting rid of even more paper.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Did it help you?

Image: Amazon.com

(For a link to this book, please see the Author Links page.)

Post from: My Organized Biz

When I was a teenager, I had a sign above my desk that said, “A clean desk is the sign of a sick mind.” It was perfect for my clutter justification. But I was constantly frustrated and unable to find anything without going through every single pile on the desk.

Eventually I learned to keep my desk neater. I started using my file drawer. I bought little organizers for my desktop and drawers. And I regularly cleaned it.

Those bad habits are slowly creeping back in. I know what I need to do. The problem is taking the time to do it. I was gone for two weeks. While I was out, the mail piled up on my desk. Even though I had mostly cleared things, it didn’t take long at all for it to get out of control.

Vigilance is the key. And that’s something I’ve been sorely lacking. Between traveling to see family, and baby duties, it’s been tough to find – or take – the time to do something about it. We’re down to one nap a day and I do everything I can to get work done while the baby’s sleeping. So my desk suffers.

It’s time to tackle that messy desk. Wrangle those bills. File receipts. Finish reviewing some items for you all. Work on an office makeover. And gather those giveaways and post them for everyone.

I’m not perfect. I know what I should be doing. Sometimes things get in the way. And I suddenly realize that I need to take my own advice and get cracking. So I will.

And maybe I’ll start one of those giveaways tomorrow. How’s that sound?

What are you fighting right now in your quest for organization?

Post from: My Organized Biz