Organized

When working from home things can get muddled and mixed in such a way that it makes your work environment cluttered. If your work space is out of order it can lead to lost and unproductive hours spent searching for lost files or information. By taking a few steps and a little time to ensure you have a work environment that you can live with can help you keep your office in order and your work days clutter-free.

Before you begin this arduous task be sure to set-aside a place where you can work in a quiet, undisturbed environment. That can be easier said than done when you have little-ones running around but it is an important place to start. If you cannot accomplish your work without being disturbed this can lead to distractions and eventually frustration. Along with a quiet work environment be sure that your office is in a location where you will enjoy spending time. If you stick yourself in a dark corner then you will not enjoy your environment and eventually move to the dining room table. Another important point is to ensure that your family knows where you’ll be working and that this space will be your “office.”

Before you run to your nearest office supply store for all the latest organizing tools and bins, take a few days to de-clutter first. Go through those stacks of papers and rid yourself of outdated materials before trying to organizing them. Look at things that you have in your home to help you too. You can use plastic containers and Make this organization system work for you because if the system is too difficult for you to follow then you’ll end up a cluttered mess again.

Then, think ‘work zones’--place things where you will need them most and they can be easily utilized during your day. Organize in a way that makes things easy to find and use rather than places to store your things. Think of your work day and how things might flow and place things accordingly. Find places for your things where they are convenient to use and try not to make your organization system easy. When creating a filing system, ensure that is easy for you to use. If you can, go paperless when it is possible to cut down on the paper and filing!

Taking time to make your office a space that is inviting will ensure that your work is done efficiently and without wasted time. The most important thing to remember is when you begin organizing your space ensure that you use a system that you can live with otherwise you will find yourself under mountains of papers again. Another important thing to remember is to set-aside time to work and family because they are the reason you are working anyway!


Other Resources:
Organizing Your Home Office For Success : Expert Strategies That Can Work for You
Organizing from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System for Organizing Your Home, Your Office, and Your Life
Home Office Design : Everything You Need to Know About Planning, Organizing, and Furnishing Your Work Space
Organizing Your Home Office for Success
Everyday Cheapskate's Greatest Tips: 500 Simple Strategies For Smart Living (Debt-Proof Living (Paperback))
Organizing from the Inside Out, second edition: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life

Internet Resources:
http://www.womensmedia.com/new/organizing-home-office.shtml
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol47/organize.htm
http://ct.monster.com/articles/organizehomeoffice/
http://www.getorganizednow.com/
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/c/ec/12.htm