Studies show that working in a cluttered office not only impedes your productivity
but it adds unnecessary stress and embarrassment. Even if your clients never see
your office you will feel better and more professional if it is organized and efficient.

Here are Ten Steps to Organizing Your Office:

1. Pick an area of your office that you want to start on. It could be the top of
   your desk, desk drawers, filing cabinet or bookshelves. Keep the area small
   so the task is not too daunting.
   


2. Go through each item, deciding if you should keep it or not. Ask yourself
   why you are keeping it? When will you use it? Have you ever used it? Keep
   the garbage can, recycling box and a donation bag handy and throw out
   the empty pens, recycle the duplicate files and donate the unwanted books.
   


3. Sort what is left. Treasures from the past that are not being used should be
   put away in a memorabilia box or displayed somewhere else. They should
   not take up valuable storage space in your office.
   


4. Assess what you have to determine what organizing supplies you will need.
   These do not have to be expensive or brand new materials. Baskets, cups
   and boxes can work to help you get organized, but make sure they do work.
   


5. Store and organize items according to how you use them. Keep the items
   you use most often closest to you. Others, like software CDs, can be put in
   a box, labelled and stored in a closet.
   


6. Use vertical space. CD holders, shelving and wall pockets can all help get
   stuff off your desk while still keeping it within reach.
   


7. Set up a filing system that works for you. Most people think in categories so
   sort your files into sections then break the sections down into more specific
   topics. Use pencil on the file tabs until you are sure of your system.
   


8. Set up an action file. This is where you keep ongoing work and information
   you are dealing with right now, like bills to be paid.
   


9. Leave time to empty your garbage can, take out the recycling box and
   drop off your donation bag. You will just be more frustrated if you have
   to climb over piles of garbage, paper and the items you know you want
   to get rid of.
   


10. Stop and take a look at what you have done. Notice how good it feels
    to have accomplished this task and pat yourself on the back for a job
    well done. Remember this feeling the next time you are tempted to
    drop a piece of paper anywhere.