When you start any type of business, you need to make sure that you have an organized, efficient space to work in. The organization of a home office might seem like a simple task or even something that you do not really need to worry about. However, you really need to make sure that you take the time to learn how to keep things organized and ensure that you are ready for business every single day with a clean, neat space. Here are five tips to help you stay organized in your home office.
1. Buy the right storage solutions. Find a desk, filing cabinet, and other items that will suit your organizational needs. If you don't have a lot of paperwork to deal with because your business is mostly online or on the computer, you will likely not need as much storage in your office space.
2. Make sure that you set up your office to be organized from the start. Choose a place for everything and put it there. When you use whatever it is that you need throughout the day, put it right back where you found it to keep things clean.
3. Make a goal of cleaning up your workspace at the end of every day or even once a week. As time goes on, clutter can easily pile up and you need to make sure that you keep it under control by giving yourself extra cleanup sessions.
4. Keep only the things that you need on your desk. If you use something daily, it belongs on your desk. If you use it weekly, keep it in the desk. If you use it occasionally throughout the month, keep it in the office somewhere. If you don't use something very often, store it in a closet or other area where you can still find it but it isn't in the way.
5. Keep your work area separate from your home area. If you are working from a home office, this is important. If you have to invest in two computers so that you use one only for work and the other for games and social networking, do it. Just make sure that you can work in your office and keep it separate from your personal life.
The organization of a home office is not a complete impossibility, even for the most cluttered and unorganized person. It is all about putting things in perspective and creating an effective plan to keep things neat and orderly.
Jerri Palumbo is the owner of www.VirtuallyAchieved.com, a company dedicated to working with small online businesses to help them focus on their big visions, while leaving the support up to a strong virtual team.