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How to Organize Your Office

4/4/2015

14 Comments

 
How to Organize Your Office
Has it been way too long since you've seen the top of your desk?

When it comes to organizing your office, sometimes it's hard to know where to start. This is especially true if you haven't seen your desktop in weeks/months/years and are drowning in paperwork! As a Professional Organizer, I get many calls from people who are just fed up with their mountain of paperwork and either need some advice or just want me to come clear up the clutter and create an easy-to-use filing system for them. For this reason, I'd like to share 10 simple steps anyone can use to organize their office and paperwork.


  1. Take a "Before" picture of your office space. Doing so will help you realize just how much you've accomplished when you've completed your office organizing project!
  2. Gather six large bins/boxes- one for each of the following: papers that need shredded, things to be donated, paperwork to be filed, items that belong in another room, items that will stay in the office, trash. 
  3. Start with your paperwork... give yourself at least two hours for this task alone. Each piece of paper is to be placed in one of three bins: shred, file or trash. You are not organizing at this time- just separating.
  4. Move on to the other items in your office (one area at a time). The items that don't belong in your office will go in your "other room" bin, trash goes in "trash", donations in "donations". Still, you are not organizing. This may take another two hours.
  5. Now, everything but your furniture and office equipment should be in one of your six bins! If not, keep separating!
  6. Every organizing job includes at least a little cleaning... now is the time! Dust and wipe down your desk, counters, shelves, equipment, computer screen, etc. Sweep/mop/vacuum the floors. Clean everything well. 
  7. Now it is time to organize! I like to use a paper filing system vs. computer, but you may be different. Either way, make sure you have some file folders (either paper or computer). Make them as specific as possible so you can easily find what you are looking for in the future. Here are some typical categories: auto insurance, auto loan, auto maintenance, homeowner's insurance, home loan, home maintenance, health insurance, medical files (break down per person in home), warranties, manuals, tax records, pay stubs, credit reports, bank statements (separate per account), utilities, etc.
  8. Create a mail station. Incoming Mail, Outgoing Mail, To File, To Pay, Coupons, Etc.                      (learn about how I use a Sunday Basket for these documents)
  9. Organize everything else (your "office" bin) and place where it makes the most sense and looks nice. Move your "other room" items to the room(s) where they belong, throw your "trash" away, shred the paper in your "shred" bin, and take your "donations" to your place of choice.  
  10. Great job! You should now have an organized office! Take your "After" picture, pat yourself on the back for a job well done, post your success story with pictures on Facebook/Twitter (be proud of your results) and enjoy your new office space!

Nicole Ramer
Professional Organizer
nicole@organizedbynicole.com
321.624.1690
14 Comments
Melinda link
4/20/2015 05:41:12 pm

Great ideas! Now it' s just doing them! Keep on writing and organizing. I always learn something from you.

Reply
Nicole link
4/22/2015 12:54:40 am

Thank you, Melinda! Yes, things are always easier said than done... "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" ~ Lao Tzu.

Reply
Melinda link
4/23/2015 04:05:17 am

Today is the day. I plan to finish my desk disaster.
No, not finish making the disaster! Cleaning it up!!
Nicole has once again inspired me to get it done!
I'll expect a "Good job" when I get done!

Reply
Nicole link
4/25/2015 05:57:25 am

Yay, Melinda! Were you able to finish your desk organizing project? I'd love to see before and afters! :)

Reply
Melinda link
4/25/2015 10:05:18 pm

Ummm. Not yet. Got distracted. But will definitely share befores and afters when I do!

Reply
Melinda link
5/15/2015 04:29:55 pm

Yay for me!! I FINALLY finished cleaning off my desk today! Only 22 days after I said I would!! That's probably a record of some kind for me!! Thanks for the constant encouragement!

How do I upload the before and after pix?
Melinda

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
5/16/2015 05:00:49 am

Yay, Melinda! That's great news!! I saw your other blog post comment before this one and gave you an idea there on how to post your before and after pics... there is not a way to share pictures in the comment section of my blog posts, so the best option would be to share either of these blog posts to Facebook as your inspiration and attach your pics as your result. Thank you so much for your comments and for sharing your progress. I always look forward to both! :)

Reply
Melinda link
5/28/2015 05:54:07 pm

Nicole, I have nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Award!
Come to my page, and collect it!
Melinda

Reply
Hazel Thornton link
10/10/2015 03:56:54 pm

Yep, that's basically how I do it too! I like matching boxes with lids because, if you don't complete the process the same day you start it, the boxes can be stacked in a corner. And I'm all about the before and after photos!

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
10/10/2015 08:12:17 pm

That's a great tip, Hazel! Stacking the unfinished boxes will help to keep the office looking neat while in the process of organizing. Thank you so much for commenting!

Reply
Janet Barclay link
10/26/2015 04:07:08 pm

This reminds me how much I miss office organizing. Not everyone thinks so, but organizing paper is FUN!

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
10/26/2015 09:30:10 pm

Janet, I love organizing any space, but offices and paperwork is my favorite too! Some people probably think we are crazy!! ;)

Reply
Shirley Andrews link
1/18/2021 08:54:12 am

Very creative posst

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
1/18/2021 09:27:14 am

Thank you, Shirley! It's an oldie, but a goodie! :)

Reply



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    Hi there! Welcome to my blog and thank you for stopping by!

    I am a Professional Organizer and Certified Senior Move Manager® in Central Florida. I have a HUGE passion for organizing and finding the best, most efficient way of doing things!

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