Expert Office Advice

Your office should be as efficient and pleasing as it possibly can be. The more organised your office is, the more productive you’ll be. A cluttered office can lead to disorder, cut down on the amount of work that gets done and encourage negative energy in the workplace. On the other hand, a tidy office that is pleasing to the eye, fosters positivity and may increase the amount of work you are able to complete. The good news is that even the most unorganised can improve their office and therefore their performance on the job.

The first thing you should do is get a large box in which to put all your clutter and unfiled papers. You may need more than one box depending on how much clutter you have. Then, go through and evaluate each object in the box. Should it be archived, attended to immediately then filed, filed for a later time, or thrown away? This method can cut down on the papers that have accumulated in your workspace. If you don’t have a filing system, start one. Most people file one of two ways: chronologically or alphabetically. Choose the method that works best for you. If you don’t already have a file cabinet, buy one. You can get small ones, medium sized ones and large ones. If you’re on a budget, buy a used file cabinet. You’ll also need some hanging file folders. An organized file cabinet is one of the best things an office can have.

You should also have an inbox and outbox on your desk for incoming and outgoing work and mail. When you get something into your inbox, deal with it immediately to avoid a paper pile up. Other than that, your desk should be free from papers other than what you’re working on at any particular time. If you’re not working on something right now, it shouldn’t be on your desk. Make sure you’ve got a wastebasket for paper handy, or better yet, a recycling bin. Instead of throwing your discarded paper in the rubbish, toss it in a recycling bin or large rubbish bag and take it to your local recycling centre. Many offices prefer to shred papers before taking them for recycling, which is a good idea to cut down on clutter and avoid theft of valuable information.

Keep your office floor clean and free of debris and clutter. Vacuum carpets daily, or sweep if you have hard floors. A weekly dusting of all office furniture can keep irritating dust to a minimum. If you share your office with others, it’s a good idea to decide on office rules which dictate how the office is kept. These rules should be agreed upon by the majority of office members and posted in a visible area. That way, everyone will know the rules regarding keeping the office clean and organised.

An organised office is simply a nicer place to be for those who work there. It’s not hard to keep your office tidy and well organised, as there are plenty of helpful tools in today’s office supply shops. Make use of handy shelves, totes, bins and cabinets designed to make working life easier. The last thing you should do is add some personal, fashionable touches to your office, such as artistic wall hangings or a few indoor plants. A few creative touches can go a long way towards improving not only the look, but the overall mood, in your office!