Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.
Each day, every office worker in America produces 45 new sheets of paper, adding up to more than 1,300 sheets of paper per month per person. Over the course of a year or two this adds up to be one big headache to manage.
The organizing experts at Smead have broken down the organizing process into the following categories:
Get StartedOften the most difficult step in getting organized is getting started. We have put together 10 tips to get your program off the ground.
Enhance Your Organizational SkillsConsistency is the key to maintaining an organized working environment. Find out how we suggest you enhance your skills.
Use Filing to Your AdvantageAt Smead we believe filing can be fun. Check out our tips and learn how.
Make Organizing Tools Work for YouLike any job if you’re going to get the job done right you need the proper tools to ensure success.
Manage Your SpaceA common excuse for not organizing is “there isn’t enough space to stay organized.” Learn how to maximize space and control that paper pile.
PrioritizeSometimes the obvious ways to prioritize items are overlooked. Here are some ideas to keep in mind.
Maintain OrganizationOnce you have developed a system of organization it is essential that it is maintained. Try these ideas to stay ahead of the game.
Bring Organization to Your OfficeAfter mastering our suggestions, consider sharing your good fortune with others in the office.
Get Started 1. Analyze your situation or hire a professional organizer 2. Research storage options 3. Choose organizing products you like 4. Consider daily activities 5. Know why you want to get organized 6. Set long-term and short-term goals 7. Develop a system for paper flow 8. Keep your organizing simple 9. Learn how to throw things away 10. Plan ahead
Enhance Your Organization Skills 11. Spend a few minutes each day organizing 12. Write down “how to” instructions 13. Create a comfortable environment to work in 14. Don’t throw too much away 15. Organize gradually 16. Stay ahead of yourself 17. Admit to the mistakes you have made, learn from them 18. Reduce clutter 19. Stop and think 20. Remember, when organized, you work faster and more efficiently
Use Filing to Your Advantage 21. Alphabetize items 22. Number things 23. Date materials 24. Use different colors 25. Create a place for everything 26. Put everything in its place 27. Sort items of importance 28. Use color folders to keep track of papers 29. Create a filing system 30. Use hanging folders to organize folders off your desk 31. Use file tabs to locate hanging folders faster 32. Keep loose notes in a notebook 33. File away last years stuff in storage 34. Keep only the current year in your work area 35. Use organizing products to help 36. Put your most important papers in the front of folders
Make Organizing Tools Work for You 37. Make the most of the basics 38. Keep papers together with staples and paper clips 39. Identify everything with labels 40. Reduce clutter with a desk organizer 41. Use larger paper for notes, don’t tear small pieces that can get lost 42. Use a three-hole punch to gather loose notes in a binder 43. Create a phone log to track important calls 44. Use a calendar 45. Use a personal organizer or PDA to stay on track 46. Consider new products that may work for you 47. Add extra life to your folders, protect labels and tabs 48. Store files electronically 49. Make organizing fun
Manage Your Space 50. Maximize space 51. Customize your space using a system that works for you 52. Control your paper and don’t let it control you 53. Write things down so you don’t forget 54. Reduce, reuse, recycle 55. Don’t be a pack rat 56. Break bad habits 57. Be willing to take a fresh approach 58. If you haven’t used it in the last 6 months, get rid of it 59. Rearrange items to reduce clutter 60. Create a space to call your own 61. Donate old materials to charity 62. Do things right the first time 63. Use shelf filing to save floor space 64. Limit storage to a confined area 65. It’s okay to create a few piles, temporarily 66. Keep everything you need in sight 67. Keep all of your information in the same place 68. Use containers to store documents or supplies 69. Don’t just set it down, put it in the correct place
Prioritize 70. Categorize your work 71. Prioritize your schedule 72. Manage your time by completing the most important task first 73. Prioritize your folders: Immediate, Current and Background 74. Concentrate on the big picture 75. Keep an inventory of organizing items most often used 76. Be concise 77. Take advantage of “down time”
Maintain Organization 78. Create a strategy 79. Review and adjust previously set goals 80. Find what works for you 81. Don’t overwhelm yourself 82. Take one project at a time 83. Relax, don’t panic, organization is a process 84. Don’t make excuses 85. Use common sense 86. Reward yourself for being organized 87. Stay focused when organizing 88. Don’t give up 89. Enjoy the benefits of being organized 90. Dust when necessary
Bring Organization to Your Office 91. Develop an organizational system within your department or company 92. Select one person to assign tasks 93. Share tips on how to become a better organizer 94. Save time with better organization 95. Remember, organize yourself before starting on others
