Take Control of Time At Your Office And Stay Organized With These 5 Tips

in

With the return of kids back to school it also means that a lot of the work force will be returning to work after having taken time off for vacations with the family. Summer can be a slow time for a lot of offices but now that summer is over it is back to it in high gear. Here are some tips to help you stay organized and save time right out of the gate.

You can’t always be available

We all like to always be available and have an “open door” policy but face it – interruptions take away from your train of thought and can be frustrating when trying to concentrate.do not disturb

It’s OK to close the door when working on something to let others know you can’t be interrupted. Better yet, if you can schedule an hour or so each day or a time each week where you cannot be disturbed others will soon get used to that timeframe and leave you alone. You will get more accomplished and be more productive.

Junk the junk mail

Email has been the greatest thing since the proverbial sliced bread but also can be the bane of our existence. We get hundreds of emails each day and it is easy to trash the junk mail but what about the emails where you are copied and no response is required by you? Some people like to send emails to as many people as they can think of to cover there you know what. Others you receive because you were in the meeting or run the department. Unless there is an urgent requirement for you to keep the email, junk it or if you feel the need to keep these emails then move it to a designated file rather than clogging up your in box. Keep your in box clean so you don’t feel overwhelmed when you open your mail.

Plan the week ahead

Whether you keep an electronic calendar or a manual one, schedule your week in advance.

planner I would suggest that you do this on Sunday evenings or at the latest, first thing Monday morning. What’s that old saying? If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Those that do not plan out their week are found to be unorganized and always in a state of chaos.

Know your time limits

There is not normally a “volunteer of the year” award at work. Limit your attendance to meaningless meetings. It is great to be involved in company events but volunteering to be in more than one or two committees is time consuming both on your professional and your personal life. Know when to say no and give yourself permission to do so.

Take time to clean and purge

Just like taking time to yourself to get work done it is equally important to take the time each week to clean and organize your work space. A lot of mail and memos can be accumulated during the week making your desk look like a giant recycle bin. Take 10 minutes each day before you leave to tidy things up. I like to do so every day so when I come back to the office I am looking at a neat work space that doesn’t stress me out right from the beginning of the day.

Now that you are back into work mode we are sure these suggestions will help you stay organized and minimize stress at your office. If you need assistance in getting your office or work space organized for better productivity contact us at ClutterBGone.

5 Things You Do That Prevent You From Getting Organized

in , ,

At ClutterBGone we help you become organized and take advantage and maximize the space you have. During our initial on site consultation we get excited because we see a number of ways that you could easily become more organized without investing more time or money.

This normally involves a bit of discipline but if you can commit to the procedures and the basic principles of organization, you will see immediate results.

Here are 5 things we see you do in your home or office that actually stops you from getting and staying organized. See if you can spot yourself in any of these examples.

1) Keeping Junk Mail
Whether you still have door to door mail delivery or need to travel to the “super” boxes to get your mail, you have probably noticed that most mail delivered these days is of the “junk” variety.

Junk mailWith many of us now receiving and paying our bills on line what’s left to actually be delivered is usually flyers announcing a new home for sale or special offers for the product of the day. So many of our clients keep this “junk” type mail in a pile somewhere to be looked at later. Why? Are you really going to go through that stuff or do you end up keeping it piled somewhere, afraid to through it out “just in case”?

Do this instead: Once picked up, ensure that anything you are truly not interested in is deposited immediately into the recycle bin. In fact, I have seen where some super boxes have a recycle bin attached to them so this type of mail doesn’t even make it to your house. Why don’t you be the one to start this in your neighbourhood!

2) Not asking for help
So many people feel that if you ask for help you show weakness. When this happens you delay and proscrastinate until you get so overwhelmed that you finally do realize assistance is required. It is not a weakness to ask for help. It takes a strong person to realize that their own space is out of control.

In my view asking for help is a sign of strength in knowing your limitations. Often a fresh set of eyes can see things differently and help you pare down, sell, donate and get organized a lot faster than you could by yourself.

3) Saving items for emotional reasons

Let me share something with you. Both my husband and I were saving items from our deceased parents for sentimental reasons. In the end we realized that these items did not represent our parents. Our memories and experiences with them do. I had several hand embroidered pillow cases from my mother hiding away in my closet from years and years ago. I knew they would never be used.

I did not need to keep them all to remember her or her creativity. So I kept just one and created a treasure box of memento’s from both of my parents that I now proudly display on a wall in our home rather than having boxes of items stored away that I will never look at. This is a much better way to honour my parents’ memories.

4) You don’t think you have enough space
Everybody is downsizing these days and you find space is at a premium. So why are you taking up your valuable space with items that may not be all that important to you? Stuff you don’t actually use on a regular basis?

Maybe it’s time to consider paring down a little more and surrounding yourself with possessions you love. Less is more these days. You can also think more vertically to find more space in your home.

Basic closets come with one closet rod. It is really easy, and economical, to add another closet rod to double your space. No room to store your winter duvet? How about a storage box under the bed or those suction bags that compress larger items?

5) You’re not keeping it simple
Sometimes in efforts to get organized you find yourself creating more work and a complicated system that cannot be maintained.

Chalk drawing - KISS, keep it simple, stupid

Use the KISS approach. Keep it simple. You could spend days thinking of how to organize or down size but really there are many great systems and ideas out there that require minimal time and dollars.

Stop for a moment and take a real hard look at what you are trying to accomplish. It does not have to be that difficult. If you need outside help and want to learn more about how we can keep it simple, contact us here.

5 Space Saving Tips For A Home Office

in

Home Office deskIs your home office located in a room that is primarily used for something else? With the price and size of houses these days a lot of people are having to situate their home office in the dining room, a corner of the bedroom or just about any other space they can carve out.

Many people need an office for a business, whether part time or full time, and simply cannot afford to give up the space for a traditional office. If this describes you then consider these organizing and space saving tips to separate your business life from your family life.

Determine space requirements

First of all determine the space that is really required for your home office. Do you need a large desk or can a small table do the trick? Is a large chair really necessary or can you use one of your dining room or kitchen chairs or re-purchase an armless chair that will tuck away when not in use? Would you love a fireplace in your office?

Which room in the house is best for your office area? A small corner of the kitchen or dining room or does your master bedroom have enough space? In what proximity to the kids, if any,  are you required to be during the day?

Furniture

Next is the furniture and the smaller the better when you need to share a space. Select a desk that is small and streamlined but still suits your needs. Choose something with a drawer that will store your pens and other supplies as well as something with closed doors versus open shelves to keep the room looking neater.

Shared workspace in small areaConsider a drop down table affixed to the wall so when not in use you can simply fold it down so it doesn’ t take up any additional space.  Your chair can be multi functional. If your office is in the dining area you can use one of your dining chairs. If it is located in the bedroom perhaps a chair that matches your décor will suffice.

Accessories

Accessories should be selected that match your other items in the room so they do not stand out and disrupt the flow of the room. Mason jars and the like fit well into a home office near the kitchen. Do you have extra wallpaper or paint that was used in the room? Use it to decorate some jars or tins to keep the décor of the room intact.

Privacy screens

If you are fortunate enough to have a larger room consider a privacy screen to separate you from the rest of the room. It will give you a greater sense of privacy and with a little creativity, can also serve double duty as a memo board.

Corral cables

Clips for CablesLastly, don’t forget to tuck away all of those wires and cables to keep your office area looking neat, organized and de-cluttered.  There are many products on the market that can contain your cables in a neat and organized fashion for little cost.  It makes cleaning under your desk much easier as well!

Just because space is at a premium doesn’t mean it needs to be disorganized. With these organizing tips for your home office you can carve out that much needed space with very little effort and cost.

If you need help setting up a home office or organizing a current one, simply contact me here and we can chat about your specific needs.

I Felt Cheated Until I Lived With a Professional Organizer

in , ,

It’s not very ofter that I have guest blogger on my site, but my husband insisted that he write a post about living with an organizer.  So, below you have it.  A husband’s point of view.

I have always thought I was a fairly neat and tidy person. Although I will admit that I am not the most organized person in the world, I didn’t really think I was disorganized. Let me tell you that living in the Toronto area and being the husband of a Professional Organizer will let you find out just how organized or disorganized you really are!

In the beginning you may be a tad annoyed with the way things seem to be organized and the need to keep it up, but eventually you become appreciative of those things that may have bothered you in the past. Let me give you a couple of examples:

Clothing organized

For a guy, how easy is it to maintain your wardrobe? You buy something new, pick up dry cleaning or put away your laundry by hanging it up or putting it in the drawers, right?

organized man clothes

Not so. I have learned that it helps if you hang your clothes according to colour and have all your shirts hanging the same way. Not only does this give you a neat appearance but it makes selecting your clothes a whole lot easier.

In and out

One in, one out rule for clothes – Originally this rule just seemed just plain silly to me. Why would you want to get rid of something just because something new came in? Well, it turns out this may just be the best advice an organizer can give you. Rather than having closets that are crammed to the point where nothing else will fit, or piled in a dresser drawer that is overflowing, I have learned that if you follow this simple rule you will always have a neat and organized clothing space with easy to find whatever you need.

Organized Kitchen

Just last week I put a frying pan away in the “wrong spot” and was “politely” reminded of where it lives. I use this as an example of why every thing needs a home. I can’t tell you the time I have wasted in the past looking for things that were in the wrong place.

organized cubby kitchen

A lot less time spent looking for things and a lot less frustration is the result of putting things back where they belong. Lesson learned.

Giving to the community

Giving back.  This is by far the most important lesson learned from living with a professional organizer. Rather than tossing out things that I no longer require I take the time to look at it and decide if it is in good enough shape to donate. There are so many organizations that can use and even depend on donations to help the less fortunate. Everything from clothing to toys to small appliances and even items of value that can be sold at charity stores or auctions can be used to help someone else.

So, yes, being married to a professional organizer can have its challenges, but it really does make life more calm, less stressful and more giving. I highly recommend it and I’m not just saying that because my wife is standing over my shoulder. Really.

Doug Ward, happy husband of a professional organizer.

Organizing Your Home Based Business

in

Congratulations! You have taken the plunge! You have left the security of an established job and have branched out on your own to open your own business, become an entrepreneur and conquer the world. Good for you!

I know you have done your research on launching a business and have talked to all the professionals that you need to and you have all the experience to make this new adventure a success. Let me give you a couple of tips that will save you some time and keep you organized because we all know that time is a seriously precious commodity in any small business.

organized-office-desk-toronto-400x266

The basics

First, get the right basics. A comfortable, ergonomic chair and a desk as well as a printer, recycle basket, waste basket and filing cabinet are a must and your desk must stay free of all clutter.

A cluttered desk is owned by someone with a cluttered mind.  Keep in mind the precious time that you may be wasting by repeatedly looking for the same item or file. Time truly is money when you are an entrepreneur.You need to have efficient organization in your home office such that you can put your finger on any one item at any time no matter what.

Will you be having clients in to your home office? If so, you will impress them with a neat, organized and welcoming work space.

Cabinet is critical

Your filing cabinet is a great and necessary assistant but it can also be something you yell at – a lot.

Especially if you do not take the time to set it up in a functional manner for the way you operate your business. Your initial set up should include hanging file folders, files and labels and have a system ready when you do start filing for easy access and filing back in the cabinet. You need to have lots of room in your cabinet so that files move freely and easily within. This also makes filing documents a breeze.

If your home business involves retaining sensitive material you will need to consider a locked cabinet and perhaps even purchasing a fire proof cabinet.

Desk top desires

organized-office-toronto

On my desk I have my computer, a printer, lamp, electric pencil sharpener, telephone, external hard drive for my computer backups and cell phone charger. All of these require an electrical cord and unless these were not all neatly tied together I would constantly be getting my feet tangled in them.

Take the time to organize your wires and cables underneath your desk and save some frustration down the road.  If you can, work with wireless devices to reduce the cable clutter.

Action Files

Paper clutter is definitely the main source of frustration in most offices we are called to work in. Paper should never be lying loose on your desk unless it involves the task you are directly working on at that moment in time. And never should you have piles of paper on the floor in your office or otherwise!

A vertical file folder holder is a desk accessory that can be a life saver. I call this my “Action Centre” that contains my action folders that I use on a regular basis. I am a visual person and require my action items in sight on my desk rather than inside my desk.

In my Action Centre I have a file folder for each of the following…..1. QuickBooks entries 2. Client Intake Forms 3. Business Practices to Update and 4. Marketing Ideas. My vertical holder also has space for current client files that I will be working on that day. Once completed, those particular  files go back in the filing cabinet.

files-home-office-organized-400x193
When it comes to paper you need to reduce the FAT.  If you need FILE it, take ACTION on it or shred or TOSS it into the recycle bin. You will be surprised at just how quickly paper can strangle you and your new business if you do not have a system in place to effectively manage it.

By getting and staying organized you will have more time, less stress and more success. Good luck in your new venture!  If you need assistance in organizing your home office contact us here for your free telephone intake and we can answer any questions you may have.

8 Organization Ideas for Making the Most of a Small Home Office Space

in

Here in Toronto many homes don’t necessarily have a large space for an office (or don’t have a designated office space at all!). But not to worry,.  With these organization ideas you can make the most of a tiny or non-existent space for a great work environment at home:

1. When you can’t devote an entire room in your home to a home office, you can save space by opting to go desk-less. Instead, you can use sturdy shelves (Ikea has some great customizable and affordable options) to store your computer and other office necessities.

shelves as a desk

2. Integrate your work area into another room― for example, a double-duty guest bedroom and home office combination ―by sticking to a consistent color scheme.

small-office-toronto-bedroom

3. When space is tight, be on the lookout for multi-functional pieces. For example, you can find a desk with a pop-up mirror and use it as a vanity as well. Another great option is an ottoman with a top that lifts to allow for extra storage and additional seating.

desk-bed

4. If you have no choice but to have your home office in a shared room in your home, a folding screen is a great option to create some privacy. There are lots of sophisticated and trendy options on the market. You may opt for one that has a blackboard finish or even a cork board that can act as an inspiration board.

chalkboard screen

5. If your office doesn’t have a lot of horizontal space to work with and can’t spread out, why not go up? There are lots of ways to make great use of vertical wall space. Consider building shelves from the floor to the ceiling to allow for more storage space. You could also place shelves slightly above your desk that can hold your printer, books, and other office supplies. This way, everything you need will be within easy reach while sitting at the desk, without minimizing your prized work area.

wood-shutters-wall-organizer

6. If you have some wasted space underneath your desk, you can use it to store boxes or containers filled with office supplies, documents, bills, and etc. But be careful not to overdo it here – in other words, don’t put something somewhere because “it fits.” Consider when and where you would want to look for those items and organize your space accordingly.

under-desk-organizers

7. Don’t let the space behind your office door go to waste. To optimize the space, you can hang a shoe organizer on the door to store office supplies.

organizing incoming mail

8. Minimize paperwork and unnecessary clutter by storing as much as you can on your computer. This will give you more space to work with and keep your space looking tidy with minimal upkeep requirements.

cloud-storage-options

Thanks for reading – I hope you liked these ideas and perhaps they sparked some new ideas of your own. Remember, the end goal here is to create an efficient and functional space that’s organized in a straightforward and simple way. Let me know if you have any comments or questions in the space below.

 

10 Quick Things You Can Do To Organize Your Home Office This Weekend

in

organized-home-office-torontoWe all dream of living a clutter-free existence.  When it comes to our home office, we dream of papers neatly filed, office supplies tucked in their little organizing compartments and being able to see every square inch of our desk.

Yeah right.

While that’s the ideal, the reality is that most of us make a mess throughout the day – sometimes cleaning it up at the end of the day, other times leaving it for a magic fairy to take care of the mess while we sleep.

It’s a new year, why not start with a clean slate and make it less cluttered year than the last.  While organizing your home office might seem daunting after 12 months of neglect, there are some quick and easy things you can do to get you started.

Start with a clean slate

If you are like most people, there are likely several piles of paper on your desk, perhaps so many that you can’t even see the desk. The first thing you should do is clear off the clutter from your desk. Take off all paper, desk supplies, etc., leaving only your computer and the phone on the desk.  Better yet, go paperless by using a cloud service like Google Drive or Evernote.

Get (or start using) a filing cabinet

If you don’t have a filing cabinet, invest in one with several drawers so you have plenty of room and won’t have to cram papers in there. Use labels to identify each drawer, such as one for personal documents, one for finances and one for work documents.

Label file folders for your cabinet

Purchase some hanging file folders and use a label maker to identify the documents that are going to belong in said folder (it can also help to get different colored folders for certain drawers). By properly labeling each folder you know where to quickly store and access any document in your house when you need it.

Throw out the clutter

As you sort through the papers that were on your desk and begin to allocate them into their new home in your filing cabinet, be sure to toss out things that you don’t need. Junk mail, old newspapers, outdated statements, etc. However, remember that you should shred any personal or professional documents before throwing them out.  If you feel you may need any old documents in the future, make a digital copy of them with a service like Evernote before shredding them.

Get a desktop calendar

While some people prefer to use their phone or tablet for their daily tracking, having a desktop calendar can also be a great help. Remembering important dates and deadlines that come up can be easy when you have a great big reminder on the desk in front of you. It’s also a great way to get rid of some of those reminder post-it notes that can gather around your PC or laptop.

Figure out the cable situation

A massive jumble of cables in your home office isn’t just an eye-sore, it can also be a fire hazard. Be sure to remove electronic equipment when you are done using it, such as a radio, and for those cables that you need, use a zip tie to keep them neatly rolled together or grouped together.

Get a desk drawer organizer

By purchasing a container to keep your paperclips, staples, post-its and other desk supplies organized it makes finding them a cinch. If you don’t really want to splurge, you can always use ice cube trays to house those smaller items that are all over your desk.

Use a mail organizer

Many of us are guilty of getting mail and simply throwing it on our desk to cause further clutter. This year, use a desktop mail organizer to have a designated place for incoming mail, outgoing mail and even one for things requiring your attention.

Create a space in your office for personal items

We all have places in our office where we keep pictures of our kids, favorite pet or even just an inspirational message, which is great. However, you shouldn’t take up valuable workspace with these items. Instead choose a place in your office, such as a shelf or above your filing cabinet, where you can house these items safely out of your workspace.

Get your computer organized

While you are starting off the New Year fresh, don’t forget to get your computer organized as well. This means creating proper folders for documents, pictures, home videos and a separate area for all your work items. Be sure to back up all your files to a jump drive in case your computer crashes.  A service like Dropbox will automatically backup your files to the cloud for safe keeping.

Ok, so it looks like a lot of work, but if you dedicate a few hours this weekend you’ll be surprised to see it really doesn’t take very long.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, same with organizing your office, but it’s a good start!

Have questions about organizing your home office?  Feel free to contact me here.

3 Tricks to Travel Big and Save Space

in ,

travel slidesTraveling is always fun until the time when you need to figure out where to store all your luggage and other travel related accessories that you use all the time.

One of the challenges of course is that suitcases take up a lot of space when not in use.  Most people try to hide them in the furnace room, a basement storage area or even up in the rafters in the garage.  None of these spaces are ideal because it’s not only inconvenient to retrieve them but they are not typically the cleanest areas in your home.

Let’s think about this.  If you are packing in your bedroom, shouldn’t the suitcases either live there or somewhere on the same floor as where you pack?  Wouldn’t that be so much easier than lugging them up the basement stairs?

Here are a couple of tricks to make packing fun and storing easy.

Invest in good quality

There are many on the market, however one I found is particularly interesting because it uses an innovative concept of folding technology so that your full-sized, wheeled suitcase turns into a compact, easily stored bag.Biaggi luggage

The company is Biaggi (www.biaggi.com) and they make lightweight, durable luggage that folds down into half its original size. This is great so you can actually store your luggage under your bed with ease.

Be a road warrior

Another idea is to use the Road Warrior M Series luggage. Again, this luggage requires half the storage space compared to standard upright suitcases.Road warrior luggage

When not in use it collapses such that you can stack it on a shelf, slide it under your bed or even hang it in your closet.  Check out www.roadwarriorluggage.com.

Create a “Travel” bin

In terms of travel accessories, we all have them.  This includes your sun protection, airplane pillows, earphones, travel size games, binoculars, travel pillows, ear plugs, etc.  Essentially everything you typically take on a trip.  And what about all those travel size bottles of lotion, shampoos, etc., not to mention those travel grooming bags, travel iron, or hairdryer? Most people have all these items stored in various places throughout the home rather than keeping it all in one place resulting in your scurrying around trying to remember where you put everything.

What I recommend is that you create a Travel bin and label it “TRAVEL”.  Your bin should ideally be a sturdy plastic with a lid, similar to a Rubbermaid tote.  The amount of travel accessories you typically use will dictate the size of your travel bin.  If you have children your travel bin will likely be much larger than for someone who does not.  In your travel bin you would place all travel related items so that the next time you are going on a trip, everything you need is in one place.  When you return from your trip you simply take all those accessories and put them back in your bin. No more hunting around looking for that special travel sized game, or those neat little toys the kids love to play with on the airplane.

Make your next trip go smoothly from beginning to end by investing in some innovative luggage and some organization. I’d love to hear what tips you use to make your travel run smoothly!

 

5 Tricks for Organizing Your Home Office

in

Is your home office an unorganized mess?  Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be!

Your home office is intended to be a place that you go to when you need to focus and get work done. But, if you are anything like the majority of individuals trying to get work done at home, then you know that a cluttered office doesn’t make for easy concentration. Having a clean and organized home office is the best way to not only get work done, but to truly allow yourself to focus and be in a space that is geared toward getting work done.

home-office-organizing toronto

Fortunately for those who can’t seem to keep an organized office, there are some great tricks for getting your home office in perfect working order, take a look!

  1. Reduce the Clutter – Before you can start getting your home office a little more organized, you have to get rid of all the items that don’t belong in your space or aren’t getting used. Whether it’s junk mail or pictures that your child brings home from school, the clutter that doesn’t have to do with work should be put in their appropriate homes before you can get organized.
  2. Create a Filing System – Having a functional filing system is crucial to sorting and identifying the documents that you need access to quickly. Folders with labels with everything from previous household bills to proposals for work can help you to get organized and stay that way. Filing cabinets or drawers are great ways to help get rid of the piles of paper that often land up on your home desk.
  3. More Storage is Better – Creating storage options goes a long way in a space as multipurpose as your home office. Not only are you going to want to find a means of storage for your papers, like a filing cabinet, but you also want to be sure that you keep your work materials sorted and ready for work when you are. Use desktop and in-drawer organizers for your smaller items, like paper clips and pens, while storage bins in a nearby closet can help to house extra printer cartridges or USB chords for cameras and other devices you have.
  4. Use a Calendar – A clear calendar system can help you to keep your home office organized and your personal and professional life in line. Whether you use a PC based calendar or a large desktop version, your calendar can help you to sort through items and keep what you need in the near future in mind.
  5. Make a Home for Everything – Having a specific home for the items in your desk is necessary to have the organization you want in your personal office. Labels and clearly set up drawers can help you to quickly find the items you need and return them to their respective homes when you are done. Items that you feel don’t have a home in your office shouldn’t be in your office then.

While you might need to spend a weekend afternoon to help get your home office in an organized state, if you can keep it that way your time will certainly be well spent. Remember that once you get organized you are going to have to work on maintaining your office. But, if you can pick up after yourself and organize a little everyday then keeping your office in this condition will be simple.

Have questions about organizing your home office?  If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA, feel free to contact me here.

5 Steps to an Organized Home Office

in

No matter what you use your home office for, one thing always remains the same.  It’s hard to concentrate and get quality work done if your space is a cluttered mess. But don’t worry.  In this post I’ll share 5 simple steps to help you organize your home office and make sure that it stays clutter free.

Remove Everything

An effective way to start the organization process is to first remove everything off your desk (other than your computer, monitor, and heavier items like a printer) and to lay everything out in piles on the floor. You should also do the same with your desk drawers, cabinets, and shelves.  Now is also the perfect time to properly dust, clean, and wax all surfaces.

Organized home office Toronto

Group Like Things Together

Once you’ve removed everything from your desk, drawers, cabinets, and shelves, begin to group like things together: books with books, bills with bills, office supplies with office supplies – you get the idea. Not only will this help you figure out how much space each category of items requires, but it will also help you sort though duplicate or outdated materials that you’ve accumulated over time.

Organized home office desk

Prioritize

At this point you should have gotten rid of any items that you don’t need. Now you can start moving all of your essential items back to your desk, shelves, cabinets, and drawers. Your desktop should have as little on it as possible – otherwise it will look cluttered and will leave you with inadequate space to work. Make sure to give everything a specific place so that you can always find it easily. Place all of your frequently used items in easy to reach areas and stow away items that are not used frequently in less accessible areas.

organize files home office

Go Paperless

One of the best ways to prevent clutter and piles of paper is to opt for the “paperless” option when it comes to your credit card statements, cell phone bills, and so on. Remember, you can always print out any essential items. Worried that you’ll miss a payment if you don’t get your statement in the mail? You can set up automatic payments. Consider using a cloud service such as Evernote or Dropbox to organize your documents.  I’ve written about Evernote before, you can read some great ways to organize using Evernote here.  Once you go paperless, you won’t ever want to go back!

Using Evernote to organize home office

Set Aside 10 Minutes to Clean

Congrats, your home office is now clean and organized! The goal is to keep it that way, right? To do that, try setting aside ten minutes at the end of each day to tidy up your space and get ready for the next day. This isn’t the easiest habit to form, but believe me; this pays off in the long run!

Organized home office desk Toronto

If you follow these 5 easy steps, you should be well on your way to getting your home office organized, and more importantly, keeping it organized. And to make the process more fun, take a look at my previous blog post, 3 Free Applications that Make Organizing and Cleaning Fun. Let me know in the comments below if you found these 5 steps helpful or if you have any questions you can contact me here!