Organize + Energize: 10 Organizing & Efficiency Tips for Small Business Owners
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Here are 10 tips to help you get on your way:
Systemize your entire office. You should have a process and procedure for everything that you do on a daily basis. Systemizing your office will allow you to have structure; in turn you’ll become more efficient. Once you create systems and work with them for a while, think about how you can streamline the systems and take them from 10 steps to 5.
Hire an organized support staff. It’s imperative that you have administrative assistants that are organized. You could be the most disorganized person, but if you have an organized and efficient assistant, he/she will make your work life much easier.
Organize your drawers and supplies. I know some of you are saying, it’s silly, big deal it’s a drawer, but you wouldn’t believe how much time you’ll save by having an organized drawer and organized supplies. Think about how much time you waste throughout the day searching for things. This time adds up and it can amount to hours at the end of the week. It will save you time and stress. Organize your supplies.
Streamline your workspace. This includes your desk, the walls, your computer, bookshelves, etc. You can’t become efficient and productive if your desk is a chaotic mess. Working with a bulletin board? When was the last time you took everything off of it and evaluated what’s on it? Stickie notes attached to all areas of the wall and desk? It’s time to think about how you can make this work better for you.
Have a process to handle paper. People think because we’re in this digital world that all of our paper issues will be solved. Wrong. Paper is more of a problem now than it’s ever been. Just because you’re digital doesn’t mean that paper is going to disappear. You have to create a process and systems to contain every piece of paper that arrives in your office. Create a streamlined system for paper and maintain it and you’ll never have an issue with paper.
Have a process to handle emails. The same goes for emails. People are inundated with emails. Some have over thousands of emails in their inboxes. Your inbox should only be used as a to-do list of things you’re working on or waiting for. Utilize folders, unsubscribe when you can, and delete the non-important information. Print out what you can to remind you to do things and release the mental clutter.
Organize your business cards. This is a problem for so many people. There are many great systems out there to organize your business cards. Find a system that works for you and maintain it. How many times have you ever gone to actually look for a card that’s in the bottom of a pile? Take inventory, toss, keep and create a system so you can grab at a moment’s notice.
Work with a calendar and to-do lists. Working with these will release mental clutter. Whether you choose to use paper or electronics it’s up to you. Don’t be peer pressured into going digital if you don’t think it works for you. There’s nothing wrong with paper and sometimes it’s more efficient than digital.
Archive information on a yearly basis. Be sure at the end of every year, you’re going through your file cabinets and archiving information to make way for the New Year. Decide whether you need to toss, shred, or file away in a weather resistant plastic tote. Start the New Year on the right foot.
Work on time management. I saved this one for last. Although, it’s the biggest issue because everybody is looking for more free time in their day! Understand that you can’t work on your time management skills until you physically get organized and put working organized systems in place. Work on all of the above and you’ll find that your time management skills will start to fall in line.
Work on one area at a time and continue to move throughout the office. You’ll find you’ll be less stressed, have more energy, more free time, more money and above all, your clients will have more confidence in you.
Related Slideshow: Organizing Products For Your Closet
Related Articles
- Organize + Energize: Creating Systems in the Home
- Organize + Energize: 9 Things to Remember When Purchasing Organizing Supplies
- Organize + Energize: Disorganized Offices. What’s in Yours?
- Organize + Energize: 7 Ways to Avoid Distractions & Stay Focused
- Organize + Energize: 4 Spaces to Declutter in June
- Organize + Energize: 4 Areas to Declutter in May
- Organize + Energize: Organize a First-Aid Kit
- Organize + Energize: 4 Things to Remember When Organizing Your Basement
- Organize + Energize: 4 Spaces to Declutter in April
- Organize + Energize: Mice and Clutter!
- Organize + Energize: 5 Reasons You Need to Organize Your Garage
- Organize + Energize: 6 Things to do to Prepare for Your Move
- Organize + Energize: 6 Reasons You Can’t Get Rid of Your Paper Clutter
- Organize + Energize: 4 Areas to Organize With Your Kids Before They Go Back to School
- Organize + Energize: 6 Tools I Use to Stay Organized, Efficient, & Productive
- Organize + Energize: Organizing Your Teen for Back to School
- Organize + Energize: Teachers! 8 Tips to Organize Your Classroom
- Organize + Energize: 4 Spaces to Declutter & Organize in September
- Organize + Energize: 4 Spaces to Declutter & Organize in August
- Organize + Energize: You’ve Organized Your Office. What’s Next?
- Organize + Energize: How Bad do You Want it?
- Organize + Energize: 4 Areas to Declutter in July
- Organize + Energize: 5 Ways Technology Has Ruined Productivity
- Organize + Energize: 5 Reasons It’s Time to Get Organized
- Organize + Energize: 5 Ways an Organized Kitchen Will Save You Money
Delivered Free Every
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It