Lazy summer days, vacations, the absence of routine, and efficiency went out the window sometime in June. Back-to-school is the perfect time to get the organization in your company under control. You have had the chaos of summer plowing through your house and workspace–we call those our kids. It is super distracting to have an unorganized home and workspace, primarily when you work from home.
Efficiency is Key
Efficiency is critical in the workplace; otherwise, you may spend a lot of time doing random things like looking for your glasses. Formstack posted the Mobility, Performance, and Engagement Report on productivity in the workplace. They found that “42% of respondents said the ability to access information quickly and easily has the greatest impact on how productive they are.”
Many parents view back-to-school as a sort of New Year. New year, new me, etc. Or maybe it is just get these kids back in school, so I can finally keep my house clean again–-until Saturday. While you are preparing your kids’ back-to-school supplies, it is an excellent time to organize your work things too. Think about what kind of reset you need to help with your efficiency and productivity.
Three Steps to Get Started
Start with your desk. What things do you constantly reach for when working at your desk? How can you better equip and organize your desk for work? Since you are heading to the store to grab back-to-school supplies for your kiddos, you might as well grab some things for your desk. You can also take the time to clean out old papers and Post-it notes. Maybe this just speaks to the Type A, organized, and methodical person I am, but fresh new supplies and a clean workspace always help me think clearly and get things done efficiently.
Next, move on to your walls and shelving. What is distracting you while you work from your desk? Just like the back-to-school mentality, it is out with the old and in with the new! Yes, I permit you to remove the calendar from 2015, but leave things and add things that bring joy! Hello, Marie Kondo!
Lastly, organize your work data and documents by creating a system for getting things you need quickly and easily. For example, pin your most-used tools and applications to your toolbar on your computer home screen. This way, when you log into your computer, you can easily access all the usual things you need quickly.
When was the last time you cleaned out and reorganized your workspace? Back-to-school organization can relate to workspace organization because it is a fresh start to productivity and efficiency. I encourage you to take the time to ensure your workspace is ready for work!
Wondering about the efficiency of your business? Take our free 5-Minute Business Check-up here.