It is the beginning of a new year and January is Get Organized Month. I would love for my whole house to be magically clean and organized. However, the reality is that I am the one that has to make that magic happen and it would be crazy to think that I could do it all at once. That is why for years I have been maintaining my home using a Zone Plan. This plan has me touching everything in my home at least once a year. (http://timespaceorg.com/services/) The first zone I work on each year is my office. In the past year files have gotten overfull, project bins are hanging around even after projects are completed. New items have come into my office and it is now feeling a bit crowded. Now is the time to follow the program and work my plan on the office. 1. What is bothering me in this zone?
Clutter and unfiled papers
Projects not in bins
Files too full
Too much laying around and screaming “DO ME”
2. How do I want my office to look and feel?
Look clean and uncluttered
Look and feel welcoming
Have empty spaces to allow for growth
Feel productive
3. What do I need to do to make this vison come true?
Sort and label all loose papers
Clear out all desk drawers and desk surface
Purge files and put into a project bin all I will need for taxes
Shred and archive papers
Declutter and organize bookshelves and the storage credenza
Set up bins for current projects and purge old projects
Deep clean room
4. Schedule times to do each task
Pull out calendar and see what times are available for work
Schedule reasonable times for each task and dates/times to work
Write on calendar the dates and times
By the end of the month, I will call whatever has been accomplished “good enough” and move on to the next zone. The office is now ready for regular maintenance until the next year. I always reward myself by buying a fresh flower for my desk.
Jonda S. Beattie Professional Organizer
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