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Organizing for the Un-Organized...by Kera McHugh, of somethingelse web+graphics
HAHAHA... well, here's an interesting concept - me, discussing organization. Believe it or not, it IS possible to be organized, even when your desk is a veritable disaster area. The thing is... it's not all that possible to be EFFICIENT when it's in that state. You may know "exactly" where things are, which pile they were filed in, which tub they were stashed in, which jar that Sharpie® is in... but you have to shuffle, fumble and often look twice to find "exactly" what you were looking for... right? Being organized is not really that big of a feat if you're not also efficient. It kind of defeats the purpose.So how on earth do you GET ORGANIZED & EFFICIENT at the same time when you have 900 things on your TO DO list, stacks of papers that need your attention today, and no end in sight for the 7 projects you're currently juggling? (not to mention the vacuuming, the dishes, the dog's nails, feeding the fish and washing your hair???) It's a process. It's not realistic to think you can just decide to be organized and efficient one day and it will just happen. It simply doesn't work that way in the real world. They key is creating new habits and breaking OLD ones that do not serve you well. So in an effort to help us retrain, I'd like to take us on a step by step journey together. I'm just as guilty as the rest of you, so we'll do this together and support each other... The "Finding Organization, Creating Uncommon Success" Club (FOCUS for short)... how's that? Got a better name? Tell me - we'll have a contest. Winner gets a cool office accessory from me. So - let's start with the big one... clearing off the desktop - the physical one, not the one on your computer screen. On my desk I have: computer, monitor, printer (with stand), CD rack, hot file rack (hanging files), speakers, another CD rack, pen jar, big reference book, bread pan full of bills & miscellaneous "stuff i've got to deal with", stapler, xmas gift from a client, telephone, coffee mug, colour wheel, and about 4 stacks of varying heights of paper - containing client notes, articles i want to read, magazines i need to peruse, bills, test prints, drafts, meeting minutes - and a couple bottles of hand lotion. Whew! So what's on your desk? Now, where to start... Number 1 - Treat yourself to some new file folders - they're inexpensive and oh-so-necessary. And a hotfile rack (if you don't have one). Mark files clearly: RECEIPTS, UTILITIES, INVOICES, BANK STATEMENTS, whatever suits what you have to deal with regularly. All the receipts & bills go into there.
Now... FILE EVERYTHING IN SIGHT AND ARM'S REACH. Remember to use the CIRCULAR FILE TOO. (that's the GARBAGE for those of you wondering...) ...15 minutes later... Well, wouldya look at that? Clear desktop! Well... almost... i haven't taken the things OUT of the office that don't belong here yet, but they're in a pile for the next time i leave the room. How did you do? Even if you got SOME DONE, you're on your way to being organized AND efficient. Next issue... sorting your FILES so you can find what you're looking for. Enjoy that desktop! Become friends. Promise never to bury it alive again. Kera is the creator and owner of somethingelse web+graphics in the
beautiful Sunshine Coast of Canada. She does everything from websites
to print to bring her clients in the speaking and entertainment industries
integrated creative promotional materials. In her spare moments, she
tends her garden, does a little theatre and is a proud mom of one.
Find her online at http://www.time4somethingelse.com
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