Organize That Desk!

                                                                      
There are studies that suggest that a more organized worker is a more productive one but there are many variables that can impact those results. Organization is a relatively subjective concept and what it means to one person may be vastly different for another.

However, if your desk resembles this one:
                             

                                                                    

there’s a possibility that a little more structure could yield positive results for you!

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a complicated or lengthy process. It requires an initial investment in time and a commitment to follow a few simple steps thereafter. But when it’s completed, at the very least you’ll likely find it easier to readily locate the things you use throughout a typical day.

Some professional organizers suggest that you begin by clearing your desk of everything. When that’s done, decide on a method to sort through papers, documents and files that you can continue to use moving forward. One way to accomplish that is to assign a category to each item, e.g.: needs immediate attention, less urgent, etc. You might also  consider purchasing in and out letter trays and pressing one or more file cabinets into service to facilitate that process.

There are as many ways to organize work materials as there are jobs so experiment with ways that work for you. The ultimate goal is to maximize clear space on your desk so keep that in mind when deciding what goes and what stays.  Place plastic compartmentalized trays in the desk drawers to hold small office supplies such as paper clips, rubber bands, etc. If you don’t use it, don’t keep it. Store extra supplies away from your desk, in a closet or other unit dedicated to that purpose.

Have you found other ways to stay organized?  If so, please let us know!

Bring the Outside In

       
For many of us it was a long (okay, LONG) winter. If you’re lamenting that spring is in full bloom outside while you’re spending most of your time in your office, why not bring a little of that new growth and color inside with you?

Some plants and flowers thrive better indoors than others so it’s wise to do your homework before deciding which to add to your office space. You’ll also need to know how to keep the plant happy in its new home so that it will provide once a year or even continuous color.

Proper care of a flowering house plant is not time-consuming or complicated but a few basic details warrant attention.

• Place your plant in the brightest spot in your office. Most flowering plants appreciate several hours of direct sun each day. If you don’t have a window or skylight in your office, no problem. Most plants do well in artificial light and, in fact, some actually seem to prefer it.
• Water the plants regularly, making sure that the soil is evenly saturated. It’s also important to verify that excess water can drain unimpeded from the soil.
• Plants that flower year-round tend to prefer cooler environments so, to the extent that you can, remember to open windows and /or set the thermostat at a lower temperature.

Flowering plants that do well indoors include begonias, geraniums, gerbera daisies, peace lilies, and small cacti.

Good luck and may you find the green thumb that presumably has been granted to all of us!