After the pandemic, a lot of companies opted for a work-from-home system for their employees, and for that, we have to have a place at home where we can work every day without scattering our home.
We need to complete our work in a timely and efficient manner, even from home, so that we can spend our maximum time with our family.
So, if you waste half of your time running from room to room for your office files and papers, then here are a few ideas to get you and your home office organized.
1. Decide a place for your office work
Consider moving all your files and papers to one central location, preferably close to the computer if that’s where you are doing the bulk of your work.
- Purge your paper piles and minimize them to the max.
- Create a small area exclusively for your office staff.
2. Organize your things
Keep your personal files and papers separate from your business things. You will eventually have enough paperwork to deal with without having your personal bills, magazines, and the kids’ after-school schedule mixed in there.
- Categorize your documents
- Use color coding to avoid getting confused.
3. Create your personal filing system
Create a file system that works for you. Remember, you may be working for someone else, but when it comes to your home office, you are your own boss.
Think about how you look for a particular file or piece of paper. What is the easiest way for you to find it? Then create a file system that works for you.
Don’t worry; if you don’t get it right the first time, you can always resort to trying again. Sooner or later, you will come up with a system that is “just right” for you.
- You can use file-holder boxes to avoid clutter
- You can do DIYs to organize your files.
4. Clean up your desk
Take a good look at your work area. Do you have piles of papers, files, and mail lying around? Do you notice anything else piling up?
Set aside a few hours and put everything away. Use your new file system and find “homes” for anything else.
- Try not to keep any paper lying on your desk
5. Wrap up your day with a clean desk
Now that you have your office organized, set aside a few minutes at the end of your workday to keep it that way. Try to “leave work” for the day with a clean, empty desk. You will appreciate it the next morning.
- A clean and tidy table always motivates you to work
6. Get creative
Add a personal touch to your office. Bring in some pictures of the kids; add some pretty plants, inspirational quotes, or anything else that will make your office a pleasant place to work.
In addition to getting and keeping you in a good mood whenever you step into your office, you are more likely to keep it clean and organized if it is a place you treasure. So splurge a little on some special office décor.
7. It’s time for some digital cleaning
Let’s talk about the files on your computer. You can’t waste just as much time searching for an online document as for a piece of paper.
If your computer is used for work as well as for personal use, create a work folder and use subfolders for particular employers, projects, etc.
Again, develop a file system that works for you, and keep your work files separate from your personal files.
8. Organize your mails
In addition to your regular files, you also want to keep your emails organized. Let’s be honest, we have all wasted time searching for a particular email that contained some vital information we needed quickly.
Setting up folders for different clients and projects has worked well for me, but again, find a system that works for you and stick with it. Sort the email as soon as you read it.
It only takes a second or two to drop it in the appropriate folder, but it will save you a lot of time if you have to find it later.
9. Maintain the beauty
Now that you have a good filing system (both physical and digital) in place, set aside a little time every few months (or weeks, if appropriate) to purge your files.
We can quickly accumulate a lot of documents, both in our file cabinets and on our hard drives, that we no longer need. At the very least, try to purge your files twice a year.
10. Inspire yourself
Keeping the important things in front of us always helps. After organizing your office space to work in an organized manner, daily checklists work the best.
Use the front wall of your table to check on your daily targets and goals. Use the bulletin board to pin your checklists, motivational quotes, etc. that will inspire you to work.
If you have done these 10 steps by now, you have a beautiful, clean, and organized office space in your home that will motivate you every day to become productive.
HAPPY WORKING!!