| OK, so you know I'm going to tell you to clean | | | | items like cups, and bottles of water, pictures, |
| your workspace and get organized. But, you | | | | do-dads, etc. Do not store boxes of toys, clothes, |
| already figured that one out when you spent a | | | | and old furniture in your office. Toss anything you |
| half hour looking for that form you needed and | | | | no longer need. Really make an effort to create |
| then another 15 minutes trying to find the phone | | | | an "empty" space. |
| number you put on that green sticky note (or | | | | 2. Start Fresh. Open the windows. Arrange your |
| was it on the back of a green envelope?). | | | | computer or laptop, files, file cabinets, desk |
| Either way, your efficiency is going downhill quickly | | | | supplies in an orderly manner on your clean new |
| and you really need to get this work completed | | | | desk area. Find a soft lamp to infuse light |
| today. Working in a home office can become | | | | throughout the room. A very important element |
| overwhelming sometimes. It's too easy to let | | | | to your home office is a comfortable office chair. |
| things pile up and clutter your workspace until you | | | | If you don't have one, now is the time to pamper |
| are confined to six inches of open space on either | | | | yourself. If you are comfortable, you will be able |
| side of your keyboard. We've all been there with | | | | to work longer and more efficiently. |
| piles of folders, sticky notes, mail, passwords | | | | 3. Go Green. Add plants, move your desk near a |
| written on random papers, photos, cups, and | | | | window or into a more inspiring location. Set up |
| various other "absolutely must haves" crowding | | | | computers, printers, and all electronics with an |
| our work environment. | | | | energy efficient power strip. Put images of |
| A cluttered workstation hampers our ability to | | | | outdoors and nature on your wall. |
| think clearly and creatively. We become inefficient, | | | | 4. Inspire. On your desk and windowsill, use the |
| mentally as well as physically. We waste time, get | | | | power of three to inspire you. Three pictures of |
| confused, overwhelmed and lose our motivation. | | | | kids, friends, family, etc. Three plants to add fresh |
| Our productivity becomes hostage to the mess. | | | | oxygen to your workspace such as a Money |
| An efficiently organized home office can provide | | | | Tree and Lucky Bamboo, and ivy. Three quotes |
| you with the foundation to make more money | | | | about money and motivation. |
| online because clearing the clutter will help you feel | | | | 5. Less is More. Aim for a Zen quality to your |
| in control, energetic and clear thinking. You'll get | | | | workspace. Only that which you need in the |
| more work done, more effectively, and you will | | | | moment should be on your desk. All books and |
| make more money. | | | | reference materials should be on a bookcase. |
| Here are 5 simple ways to makeover your | | | | Everything else goes back to its home (file |
| workspace and become super efficient in the | | | | cabinets, drawers, folders). Take out one project |
| process: | | | | at a time. |
| 1. Clear out and clean everything. Clutter attracts | | | | Your space reflects your commitment to |
| clutter. Actually schedule time to completely clear | | | | perform well. At the end of each workday, |
| off your office desk and surrounding work area. | | | | commit to putting everything away and leaving |
| If you have a table nearby, clear that too. Move | | | | your workspace neat, clean and ready for |
| larger piles into another room until you have time | | | | productivity the next day. You'll be pleasantly |
| to deal with them. Use a spray cleaner to wash | | | | surprised at how much more work you get done. |
| down the desk and table area. Wash windows. | | | | You'll feel less stressed and more motivated to |
| Wipe down your computer and keyboard. Take | | | | take on additional tasks. |
| everything off of your bulletin board. Remove | | | | Make a commitment to succeed today. |
| from the room all plants and non-work related | | | | |