Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Forward Two, Back One - Shall we Dance?

So how is that desk going? The credenza? The floor? What about your New Year's Resolutions to keep a clutter free, high efficiency work space?

Right about now, as second quarter comes to an end and tax time looms for many solo-preneurs and small business owners, the clutter is at an all time high and level of discouragement follows suite.

So I thought now would be a good time to revisit an earlier post on backsliding. It is a common experience for almost everyone who is de-cluttering. Even the best of us have moments, days and weeks when decision making is maxed out, time is layered like a lasagna and the opportunity to find "a place for everything and keep everything in its place" just doesn't seem to exist.

The good news is you are perfectly normal. We all go through it. More good news is by taking one step at a time, one piece at a time, you can get back on track. Here are the four steps:
  1. Stave off the guilt. Life is too short.
  2. Figure out what you stopped doing that was helping you stay organized.
  3. Figure out why you stopped doing it.
  4. Find one behaviour you can commit to doing again that will start you back on track. My favourite is clear the floor. Somehow the floor has the best glue around and stuff that gets down there just seems to stick. Another would be clearing the space just inside your office entrance way. More glue.

Now repeat item #1 - stave off the guilt!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Back to the Books

Are you a "sticky note" person? You know what I mean; there are some of us who like to make notes on bits of paper to remind us of things. There are a few by the telephone to remind us to call someone, a few on the filing cabinet to remind us where to find something and a bunch all over our desk with numbers, names, notes and reminders that are so buried under the rest of the paper they are long since forgotten.

As an alternative, try carrying a small notebook around with you. Some of us prefer something small enough to fit into a handbag or women's computer tote. Others keep copious notes and prefer the old elementary school, spiral bound, 8 1/2 X 11 note book. The size is not relevant so pick one that works for you. What matters is that the book travels everywhere with you and is available to jot down thoughts, reminders, numbers and notes. No more lost sticky notes and bits of paper all over your desk. No more stacks of paper with random notes that cause increased stress since you can't remember where they were from.

There are some people who can translate the "keeping notes in a book" organizing strategy to a handheld organizing device. This takes discipline and the ability to read and write/type easily on a handheld. If you are one of these people, go for it and use your handheld as your notebook. Remember to back up your device regularly.

You may be surprised to find how liberating it is to have your notes and thoughts with you in your notebook when you need them!

Monday, May 11, 2009

The Ten Minute Challenge

The ten minute challenge is one of my favourite organizing techniques. When used regularly, is highly effective at keeping one's home or office organized.

Find a bag - the new recycled shopping bags are great for this. Give yourself 10 minutes to fill the bag with items that do not belong in your office and need to return to wherever it/they belong. A common variation on this strategy is to fill the bag with items that you are no longer using, no longer want, need etc. If you use this strategy weekly you will soon find your office not only clutter free but a much more productive place to work.