When Can I Stop Organizing?

I get this question A LOT. Someone writes to me and wonders when they are done organizing? When are they finally considered organized?

The truth is that organizing is like a lot of other things in life. For example, once you work out several times a week are you considered healthy and in shape? Possibly. But does that mean that you can stop working out. Probably not.

The trick, if you want to call it that, to getting organized for life is to do it 'right' the first time.  Now, by 'right,' I mean in a way that works for you and the life you live.  It is really important to organize to your own style (as I mentioned last week).

I'm sure you will always be adding new things to your life and hopefully removing things you no longer need as well.  That being said, the actual act of organizing can come to an end, but the process never does.

Things may get messy and out of control from time to time. But when everything has a place where it belongs, clean up is quick and easy. You just need to put it away, not decide where it goes. The deciding is the time consuming part. If you do that right the first time then the hard part has been done.

The systems you put in place when you organize will also need to be maintained.  This maintenance and the addition of new items is the never-ending part of organizing.

You can have the most incredible filing system in the world.  You can always find what you're looking for.  It is easy to put things away.  It is absolutely perfect for you in every way.  However, if you keep using it and filing into it, eventually the drawers will become stuffed.  That's when the piling begins!  That's when it feels like it's not working.

The thing you have to realize is when you set up systems in your office or anywhere else you need to maintain them.

More on maintenance later... 

Happy Organizing!

5 Areas of Your Office You HAVE to Have Flow To Make More Money

How often do you walk into your office and want to turn around and walk back out? Are you overwhelmed just by the sight or thought of your office?

Let me share some simple tips about the 5 key areas of your office you want to make flow so you never feel that way again.

1. Your Office Space – The way you set up your office is so important to its flow.  Can you easily access the things you need on a regular basis?  Keep the things you use most often within reach of your desk.     

2. Your Time / Schedule – Don’t overload yourself with appointments so that you are worried about being late for everything and have to rush. There is nothing that drains you more than being stressed. You want to be on time and make a good impression. Whether you have an appointment outside the office, on the phone or are working on something in your office by yourself, give yourself enough time to handle it. Block your time realistically. If you’re working in your office set a timer for the amount of time you’ve blocked. Then you are able to work without watching the clock. You will be so much more productive.

The thing is when we overbook our time we get less done because we’re feeling pressure all day long. By scheduling less you will actually get more done. Try it!

3. Your Paper – Have a place for it. Have a filing system that makes sense to you. That way, when you are looking for something, you will know right where to go and find it.  For ongoing projects and upcoming events, a tickler file is a great way to keep on top of things.  The papers are out of sight but never out of mind.

4. Your Email – These days, this is probably the most difficult area of your office to keep up on. All day long whether you’re there or not, the emails keep on coming.  Have folders set up to file the ones you want to archive, read later, use as a resource, etc. Turn off the bell, icon or you’ve got mail reminder. Only check your emails at set intervals that fit your schedule. Schedule a realistic amount of time for dealing with them. Again, set a timer if you need to. Set a limit on the number of emails you’re comfortable having in your inbox and stick to it!

5. Your Purging System – This may be the most important area of your office in order to maintain flow. If you never purge anything from your paper files, computer files or emails the space will just continue to fill up.  Once your computer gets full it slows down and inhibits productivity. Once your file drawers get full you will pile.  Schedule time to purge. Whatever works for you is perfect. Maybe it’s 20 minutes a week or 2 hours a month, doesn’t matter as long as you stick to it.

That is the key to all of this. At first it might be a struggle, but stick to it. Once you do it becomes habit and then there’s no turning back.  Get your office to flow and it’s absolute magic!

WANT TO USE THIS IN YOUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER, WEBSITE OR BLOG?  

You can, as long as you use it in its entirety and include this info: Beth Sharkey Flarida is the owner of Get It Together. She is a Productivity Consultant, Efficiency Expert and Professional Organizer for business. Being productive is not one size fits all! Beth has helped 1000s businesses find the systems that work for them and she can do the same for you! Visit http://www.GetBeth.com.