Return to Work – GO - Get Organized!

Whether it’s working in an office or at home, or a little bit of both, an organized work environment will reduce your stress and increase your productivity.

Post your Goals

Whether it’s more leisure or family time, a new exercise routine or increasing your sales and business presence in the community, having a reason or expected outcome will help you get organized, and stay that way.

• A goal that cannot be measured is just a wish
• Goals should be SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Set up your Office

• Display motivational messages as a reminder of your goals
• Family pictures (remember what’s important – who you are working for).
• Decorate with pleasing colours and accessories, but keep it minimal to avoid clutter.

Get Unstuck and Get Inspired

• We use only 20% of our belongings, and this includes papers
• Discard old reference books – much of the information “we might need one day” is on the Internet
  • Donate to thrift stores, schools or relevant organizations
• Remove boxes of old files that can’t be discarded (move to storage) as they can be overwhelming.

Allocate Your Time

• Set aside a specific time and place to organize
• Don’t try to do it all at once
  • Do it in small and manageable periods
• Take breaks when needed, but avoid unnecessary distractions so you can return to the task at hand.

  

Remove Clutter and Visual Distractions

• When displaying personal items, group them as a theme or focal point rather than scattering them throughout your workspace
• Clear excess furniture, unfinished projects, boxes of “stuff”
• Have someone help you to take things away or put things in place while you make the decisions.
  • Keep the momentum going by doing one task at a time
  • Don’t lose your focus by spreading yourself too thin.

Organize papers

• Collect all loose papers and either toss, file or “to do”
  • Don’t forget to recycle where possible
• Create folders and subcategories for organization
  • Colour code your folders so you can locate them easily
    • Finance, marketing, invoices, orders, etc.

Appointment calendars

• Schedule appointments, birthdays, dates and events in a planner or smart phone
• Combine personal and work activities to ensure that nothing is missed or double-booked.

Don’t overschedule

• Block out “me-time” or unscheduled time to allow for unplanned events.

Once you are organized, don’t let it fall back into disarray.

Maintain your office

• Designate a specific time to file your papers and clear clutter, so it becomes a habit.

Take a look around and enjoy the environment that you have created. You will be happier, more productive and focused without the external distractions.