Being organized isn't easy. It takes time and energy to maintain an organized environment. Taking some time out of your schedule to organize all your paperwork and items can improve your productivity. Keeping your line of sight organized will help you stay focused on your daily/weekly tasks. Here are some tips on staying organized wherever your workplace may be.
- Make a daily/weekly list
Invest your time wisely. Set aside 20 minutes before you start your day and 20 minutes after you have completed your day for organization. Make a list of things and schedules you plan to do that day before you start working and check them off by the end of the day. Make sure to keep your days/weeks planned and organized by having a handy calendar, whether it's an app or a wall calendar, use it. It might seem like a burden when you start but once you get yourself into the habit you'll realize you're saving yourself time and unnecessary stress. Schedule when you check your email, constantly checking your email distracts you and your flow of work. If you are able to, check your email 3 times a day, when you arrive, lunchtime and before you leave.
- Make your office space work for you
Keeping your workspace clean and tidy will keep you on track with your daily tasks. When you have a messy desk, it will distract you. You should keep the most important items and information and recycle or throw away everything else. Keep a handy shredder in your office to dispose of used up paper. Use a binder with dividers to keep reports, presentations and important papers organized. Don't forget to return any item you have used to where you got it from. If you're still not sure on how to effectively start organizing your desk area, ask for help. Look around and see how your coworkers maintain an organized environment.
To help reduce a carbon footprint when buying paper and office supplies it's really important to look out for the Post Consumer Recyclable percentage. Most companies are as low as 10% but claim to be PCR. If ever in doubt just ask - most companies who focus on PCR will know what percentage is in their paper products. One brand we love is House of Doolittle. They have a PCR of 100% and is 100% American Made. Not only are you helping to keep jobs in our country but you'll also be preventing unnecessary trees being cut down and reducing recyclable material ending up in our landfills.
- Repurpose what you have
Before throwing anything away, look around and see if you can use it for something else. A coat rack can be used to hold your jewelry, a match box can become your travel sized sewing kit and you can place plastic bags inside a tissue box to make it a plastic bag holder. Donate any item you have no use for, it might not be useful to you but it can be useful for someone else.
Free Apps available for both Apple and Android.
Here are some apps that we couldn't live without. They are easy to use and have the ability to sync up to your computer.
Evernote
Doit.im
Google Calendar
Remember the milk
Check out Dolphin Blue's Office Supplies for our Recyclable Binders, File Cabinets, Filing & Storage and our Recycled Desk Organizers! Also check out our Daily Planners/Calendars, they're made from 100% Post-Consumer Recycled fiber and are printed with soy ink!