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A Great New Year’s Resolution? Get Organized (and Stay Productive!)

Yearning for a luxurious corner office? A sprawling space with bookcases, filing cabinets, closet storage, and more?

You’ll get there someday – but for now, you need to make your existing work space work for you.

If you’re feeling cramped, disorganized or frustrated in your job, now is the PERFECT time to do something about it. With New Year’s just around the corner, use these ideas to maximize your space, boost your productivity and enhance your sense of serenity:

Declutter.

Piles of papers. Leftover project materials. Knickknacks and odds-and-ends. When space is at a premium, even a few extra items can create a big clutter problem. In 2017, resolve to adopt a regular decluttering habit. Devote 10 minutes at the end of each work week to:

  • Scan your space for clutter.
  • Straighten your shelves and desktop.
  • Shred or recycle old documents.
  • Put (or throw) away unneeded project materials.

Tackle Your Files.

The beauty of technology? It frees you to get rid of paper (which takes up space and wastes resources). In reality, you still probably need to use some paper; just make sure you don’t let it overwhelm your office:

  • Create meeting folders. Store all items to be discussed, delegated or dealt with in meetings in files (one for each type of meeting). You’ll feel more prepared and have your action items accessible in one place.
  • Create a follow-up folder. Place all of the projects that are on hold, or that you’re waiting on feedback/more information on, in a single folder. Each morning, scan it to follow-up on pressing deliverables.
  • Archive old items. Store closed project in your company’s main file storage area – not your office!
  • Create a weekly filing routine. To keep documents from taking over your horizontal surfaces, make time each week to file paperwork.

Steal Ideas from Organized People.

Why reinvent the organization wheel, when inspiration and great ideas are everywhere? Take a look at your co-workers’ spaces – you’re bound to spot a few who seem to have the organization thing mastered. Ask those individuals how they stay neat, as well as where they buy their storage and organization items. If it works for them, it may just work for you. Plus, people typically love to share their organizational hacks – and they’re likely to be flattered by your interest.

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Staying organized is not always easy – it takes time, planning and disciplined habits. But the payoffs – more space to work, less time wasted looking for materials and a more positive state of mind – will create huge productivity gains for you in 2017.

From all of us at Wood Personnel, we hope you have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

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