Zoning your office can increase your efficiency. Organizing your office so that you have needed items at your fingertips can minimize the stress and frustration of not knowing where to locate that needed item immediately when you need it. I recommend dividing your “office” into 4 zones. Some of the actual zones may not be in the same area as where you do your day in and day out work.
Zone 1: This is the zone that is right at your finger tips. You should be able to reach items in this zone without leaving your desk. In this zone you place the items you use everyday. Depending on what you do, a partial list could include:
computer
printer
phone
timer
pens/pencils
business cards
stapler
action files
current client files
Zone 2: This zone is close and accessibly. In this zone you place items you use weekly or at least often. A partial list might include:
reference books
3 hole punch
extra paper for computer
label maker
extra file folders
manuals
file cabinet
Zone 3: This zone can be farther away and even in another room. In this zone you place items rarely needed. The list might include:
extra office supplies
extra business cards/marketing material
reference files
older client files
inspirational files
items needed for presentations or booths
rarely used references
last year’s financing papers
Zone 4: This zone definitely should not be taking up any prime real estate. In this zone you place purely archival information. This list would mainly be old tax papers and very old client records. This could be in a basement or attic. Just make certain to clearly label the boxes.
Share with me how you zone your office for efficiency.
Jonda S. Beattie Professional Organizer