Todays Mompreneur

Keeping the business aspect of your life organized should be your number one priority. If your biz is not organized, how can you work at optimum efficiency? You can’t. I’m not usually a stickler for organization. Actually, if you saw the living room where my daughter plays, you would think I am crazy. That place is a mess, so why should you listen to me about keeping your office organized? Because you know I am right. ☺

You don’t need to be Perfect Patty, but keeping things a little organized will help you when it is needed the most. A filing box (I have a $5 stacking cheapie from Walmart, to give you an example) will give you a place for every paper. Mark those folders for what they are. If you run on a daily task system, maybe one folder could hold everything you need to go through today while others stay organized by importance. 2008 Tax things should probably sit within a folder all on their own. Maybe they should have their own drawer in your filing cabinet so it will stay together when you need it most. Make it that bottom drawer, unless you have a new receipt you need to keep for your records, you only need to stop in there a few times per year. If you’re a writer, maybe you should keep those article clippings from past pieces you’ve written in a portfolio. You can always place each piece of work with its own folder, especially if that specific category has a lot of papers to go with it.

Each business needs it’s own filing system. Someone running an ebay-based business might find themselves keeping track of their records in a way that wouldn’t work out so well for someone running a brick and mortar shop. Ask others you know how their file system works, then implement one that you feel will work the best for you!

As important as it may be to keep everything in order, you also need to feel comfortable in your work space. Set up your office in a way that will keep what is necessary at hand, and don’t be afraid to put away those things you won’t use nearly as often. You need to feel comfortable at your desk, too. If you’re going to be working at this desk for any amount of time, you’ll want to make sure it suits your needs as closely as possible.

If you cannot afford the desk you need, you should consider a double desk system. It is not pretty, but getting 2 cheaper desks and putting them next to each other, across the wall or in the form of a right angle, you’ll double your work space, for less. This is a great idea for a new business looking to save a little money.

You do not need to restock your office if you want to organize your life. If you’re on a very tight budget, I have 2 more ideas that you might find useful:

• A Pen and Pencil Holder.
You would be surprised how much help it can be, especially if you go with the deluxe style. If you have a lot of pens or pencils, placing them in a organizer can give you some extra room. It also offers a place where you can set your scissors, paperclips, stapler, etc. It lets you put everything you need in one spot.
• Paper Slots.
Think back to your days in school, I’d bet your teacher had one on her desk. Maybe it was 3 or 4 rows high, but papers could always be found sitting in each slot. They can save your life. Since they go up as you add a level, you can use it to organize everything you need to deal with now, rather than filing it away for later. They’re also great for sorting your mail. Making the top level for letters that need mailed, the next level for bills and the bottom level for personal, you’ll always know what needs taken care of now and what can wait until a later date. Since it stacks, you won’t need to take much much more space than usual.

Photo Credit: alborzshawn

Trackback URI | Comments RSS