Growing a business is like developing any other skill - it takes a tremendous time investment. Each aspect of the business is researched and tracked with milestones. Reports and data help develop a plan. However, there are some “fundamentals” in business, that provide the foundation for a successful business. Like, “the state of your office.”
Think of your office and your desk as the central hub, the baseline of your operation, the foundation upon which your business is built. To achieve greater productivity and greater success, a neat work-space may offer professionals the opportunity to not only be more successful, but also to assist with other life goals as well.
How much time do you spend each day in your office or at your desk? The goal of getting an office organized is to make it better functioning, but an added benefit is that each day when you enter the office it can make you feel less overwhelmed. Here are a few organizing tips for better productivity:
- Proximity: This is figurative and literal. Try to keep all the things you use daily within arms-reach. Eliminating the need to search for regularly used items saves time and prevents frustration. Consider yourself a bulls-eye on a target with the first circle being your daily use items, the second circle would be the weekly, then monthly, and then yearly and/or rarely in the last circle. Figuratively speaking these “circles” also let you prioritize goals in order of steps and importance.
- Creativity central: Creating a central location for tasks, ideas and initiatives inspires creativity. If you have notes all over your desk of “to do” items, try to collect them and transfer the information to one location. You can use something as simple as a single spiral notebook. Not only does this allow for tracking of completed tasks, but it is a great way to watch initiatives evolve. The evolution of ideas and solutions is how businesses adapt and grow!
- Thinking styles: Everyone’s thinking style is different. Are you a visual, auditory, or tactile learner? Your thinking style will connect to your learning style so use this information to create an organizational system that works for you.
- Just say it: When you label files (or anything else for that matter) use what I call the mumble system. This just means that you name your files with the first word that you think of or mumble. Nothing formal, your files will just be a mirror of what you’ve already named them in your brain.
- What’s next?: Creating a system that allows you to move chronologically will help you to maintain a work-flow, and ultimately save you time. If you have piles on your desk, sort them by next action. Time savers are life savers. These time savers will help you increase your productivity while allowing you to grow as a professional.
- Mindfulness: Be mindful of your space as it allows you to achieve progress. Spend ten minutes a day just organizing your desk. Keep it under control and allow that ten minutes to help you center yourself and focus on the next steps to success.
It’s the little things, the fundamentals, that can help any professional achieve success. Whether a professional ball player (can you catch a pop fly? do you know how to field a ball?) or a professional business owner; the fundamental, day-to-day, small things lead to greater successes. Better organization leads to greater productivity daily.
Try it today. Do a ten-minute-tidy and clean up something on your desk…it can pave the way for your next great success!
Amy Tokos, CPO® is passionate about productivity. She supports her clients in creating productive work and home environments. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Freshly Organized in Omaha, Nebraska. She serves on the Board of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO).
