Work at the office can get particularly stressful, as your workload piles up higher and higher. Your work stress can be triggered by a multitude of reasons. These include upcoming deadlines, miles-long to-do lists, and even the general cluttered office environment.
Keep your mind focused. Keep your workspace clean with some fantastic office organization tips. Including tools that can declutter your office files, maintain your calendar, and organize your overall workspace. This way you can concentrate on your work.
Reorganize, Label, and Store
The three main facets of office organization: Reorganize, Label, and Store, in that order. By doing these three tasks properly will help you declutter office desks of the files and folders lying around.
1-Reorganize – take time to review and categorize your files by project. Gather together the files pertaining to the same project, and reorganize them as such. Use end tabs to keep track of the different segments of your files, and organize them by urgency.
2-Label: Use proper labels to name your files. Include the name or codename of your project, and a short description of what is in the folder. Include the date it was created for dated files. This way, it will not confuse with any other important dates. Use the same format for all similar file types for continuity.
3-Store: Store away the files that you do not urgently need. In addition, those whose projects have been completed and the files are kept for record. Keeping these on your desk adds to the clutter of mess that makes your work hectic. Storing these files in a proper file cabinet ensures that you can always find them when you need them.
Color Code Files by Category
It may be easier for you to find the documents you need later if you color code files by category. Choose a different color or design for each of the different categories of folders that will be storing .Categorize your files based on whether it is a finance-related file, a client information file, project file, payroll file, budget file, or anything else your business needs. Use obvious colors instead of monotone to immediately see the difference between the categories.
Organize Digitally
Other than your paper files, the ones in your computer need organization as well. Deleting the old, unneeded files is one step. However, organizing files into separate folders helps you find what you’re looking for later on.
Be sure to label your digital folders properly, and use correct formatting in your files for easier reading. Your email, too, should be void of spam mail and old emails so you can converse with stakeholders more fluidly.
Other than your files, your digital calendar needs sprucing up as well. Take time to fix up your digital calendar. This way, you will be able to clearly see which projects are due first, which are more urgent, and what meetings you have for the day. You’ll be more focused, and you won’t miss another deadline or meeting afterwards.
Shred or Delete Unnecessary and Old Files
Those old post-it notes covering your office desk? They’ve got to go. Sticky notes were made for jotting down information in a pinch, but they need to be disposed of afterwards. Your bored doodle session also contribute to the clutter around your desk. As well as those outdated, decades-old files that you don’t need anymore.
Determine whether you still need these files, and shred the ones that are no longer relevant to your company. Those printer test pages can gather and clutter your office over time. In addition, outdated files should be moved to a new format, then shredded to avoid confusion.
Even digital files need to be cleared out. They take up space in your work computer, making your computer work at a slower capacity. Backup files into an external hard drive or cloud storage. Delete the files that you don’t need and don’t see that you will need in the future.
Services for Easy Office Organization
There are professional organizers who will work with you to clean out your office of unnecessary clutter. Professional organizers don’t do the job for you, but they will guide you on proper organizing techniques. These can help you organize your office.
Some offices are available for organizing and interior design services. They will assist you with giving the office a fresh new look. You may want to look into some nice artwork on the wall for the office setting.
This post is a collaboration and may contain relevant, relatable affiliate links. All opinions are our own and for informational purposes only.