Success Tips for Organizing Your Home Office

 

              by Laura Shepherd

 

 

               Would you like to work in a well-organized office? The problem is many

               of us are unwilling to spend the time it takes to get organized. If we used

               a system of organization, we would find ourselves being more productive

               and even having a little more time for ourselves.

 

 

              As an organizing consultant, I have learned what is important to organize. When I go into

              an office, I will be shown all the files the client wants organized. It’s at this point I ask which

              ones are current? I only organize files that are currently being used. If the client still wants

              three drawers of files organized that they have not used in over a year, my recommendation

              to them is that they organize these files themselves while putting them in storage boxes. Be

              sure to label the boxes and store them in your storage area. If you work out of your home,

              you may not have room in your storage area for these files. My suggestion to you is to find

              used filing cabinets. These filing cabinets may be stored in a garage or basement to store

              files that you no longer use. However, because of legalities, you cannot dispose of them.

 

              To start your organization, start making a list of every file in your file drawers. You will

              discover that you have files in your current file drawers that should be in storage. The next

              thing you will see is that you have duplicate type files. The list will also show if you can tell

              what is in a file by the way it is labeled. Being able to tell what is in a file by its name will

              save you time that can be used in a more profitable way. It will also make it easier for anyone

              else who has to find something in your files. My "Step-By-Step Guide To Organizing Your

              Office" contains detailed information on this particular subject.

 

              After you have taken out files that belong in storage, removed your duplicate type files and

              relabeled files that you were unable to tell their contents by their label, it is now time to put

              your files in alphabetical or chronological order. After you have completed this, make a new

              list of every file. Make copies of this new list and put a copy in the front of each file drawer.

              Be sure to update your list when you add and delete files.

 

              Laura Shepherd is an office organizing consultant with 25 years of experience in the

              secretarial field. For information on every aspect of how to organize your office, send for

              the "Step-By-Step Guide To Organizing Your Office". The cost of the guide is $5, postage

              paid. Send your request and $5 to Laura Shepherd, Organizing Consultant, P. O. Box

              620006, Oviedo, FL 32762-0006.