1. Ask these questions about each item in your office. If you answer “NO” to either question, it’s time to let it go! 1) Do I need it? 2) Do I have a place for it?
2. Designate a place for everything in your office. Make your stuff fit the space you have designated for it or find it a new home.
3. Don’t expect clutter to disappear in a short amount of time. It took a long time for you to accumulate the clutter and will take time to get rid of it.
4. Make sure you have all the tools you’ll need before starting to organize. Don’t take out more than you can sort and put away within your time frame.
5. Have your timer end 15 minutes before you need to end a project so that you have time to clean up after yourself.
6. Set up routines for your day and week. When you have a time for each task, you don’t have to worry about it all week!
7. Set aside the last 15-30 minutes of each work day to clean off your desk and straighten up your office. Make a list of things you need to do the next day. You’ll come back to a clean space ready for work first thing every morning.
8. Don’t bring anything into your office if you don’t have a specific place for it already cleared out. If someone else brings it in, find a home for it immediately.
9. Clean up before moving on to your next task. You’ll have a much more organized office and important documents won’t get lost.
10. Keep a “time log” for a week to figure out what you enjoy doing and find ways to eliminate or delegate those tasks you dislike.

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You may also be interested in our Time Management Workshops.

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by Anne Busse of All In Order, Professional Organizing