Office Organization Tips and Tricks
If you are looking for office organization tips and tricks that you can use to create a more productive work-from-home life, I got just what you need. A great list to add to your home office organization tool kit.
Are you a work at home parent who is looking for some tips and tricks to help get organized?
You’re definitely not alone. Juggling work and home life can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. Keep reading for some great tips and tricks on how to organize your office space and work from home life so that you can stay productive while taking care of your little ones at home.
Office organization tips and tricks
Set up a designated workspace.
Having a space in your home where you can separate your work from your home life will go a long way to keeping your productivity where it needs to be. If you don’t have a dedicated room for an office, that’s okay. Just make sure to create a designated space where you can work without distractions. It could be a corner in your living room, a spare bedroom, a nook in your hallway, a garage, or other out-of-the-way space.
Create an organized space to work in.
Having an organized office space will help you feel in control during chaotic days. You’ll be able to focus better and get more done when everything has its place. If your home office or designated workspace is more cluttered than organized you will want to work on that next.
First, remove any unnecessary items from your work area. Try to keep just the tools you need to help you get your work done each day. Anything else that you see can be moved to another room or donated to someone that can make good use of your unwanted items.
Next, set up zones in your office where certain activities occur. This will help you to keep the tools you need for each activity close by for a more efficient layout.
A few office zones are:
- Computer work
- Filming
- Conference calls
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Creativity
- Bookkeeping
- Printing and/or fax
- Filing
For each zone you have set up you can then incorporate bins and baskets to hold the tools you need in each area. For example, if you do your own bookkeeping you will want a calculator, file cabinet, pencils, and highlighters.
When you can visualize the tools you need to perform a task you will be better able to find containers to keep things together making it easier to put your tools all the way away when you are done using them.
And all the way away means no more surface clutter!
Schedule stops and breaks and stick to them.
Burnout tends to happen more in those that work from home. To help be sure to factor in changes in scenery and breaks. Use a timer or your phone alarm if necessary to help stick to your break schedule. Get up and move around, take some deep breaths, or step outside for some fresh air. Breaks will help you stay refreshed and focused so that you can be productive when you return to work.
Keep a tidy desk.
A cluttered desk can be distracting and make it difficult to find what you need. Spend a few minutes at the end of each day tidying up your workspace so that you can start the next day with a clean slate. Put office supplies in the drawer, papers in your to-do basket, remove any trash and dishes, and finally push your chair in and turn off any lights. By resetting your desk and work area to organized you will be sure to start each day on the best positive note.
Set boundaries with family and friends.
It’s important to set boundaries with your loved ones so that they know when you are working and should not be disturbed. Let them know that even though you are at home, you are still working and need concentration. Schedule some “family time” during breaks or after work hours so that you can still spend time together.
Set a gentle reminder at your front door for deliveries so you can remain distraction-free. I love this sign and how well it works to limit unnecessary interruptions.
Set up a daily work routine.
One of the best ways to stay organized and productive when working from home is to establish a daily routine. Wake up at the same time each day, take breaks at the same times, and create a schedule for yourself. Having a set routine will help your mind know when it’s time to focus on work and when it’s time to relax.
How to work with young children.
If you have young children at home, your routine will likely need to be flexible. That’s okay! Just do your best to stick to it as much as possible. And remember, there are always going to be days when things don’t go as planned. Just roll with the punches and do your best.
A few tips to consider are:
- Swap out babysitting with a neighbor or friend that also works from home.
- Enroll your children in activities that have a spot with WiFi so you can get caught up while they play.
- Get up an hour earlier than your children do to get a head start on your day.
- Hire a young teen to play with your children while you work at home.
Keep your office a quiet zone.
If you have young children at home, chances are your office is not going to be a completely quiet environment. And that’s okay! There are ways to work around the noise and still be productive. Use a white noise machine or download a white noise app to help drown out any background noise. If you need complete silence to focus, try wearing noise-canceling headphones. And when all else fails, take a break and come back to work when the house is quiet.
Working from home can be a great way to be productive and organized. By following these tips, you can create a designated workspace, schedule breaks, keep a tidy desk, set boundaries with family and friends, and establish a daily work routine. By doing so, you will be sure to have a successful and productive work-from-home experience.
