On day 13 of Get Organized Month, we’re focusing on the Home Office.  Whether you’re a small business owner or a homeowner, it’s not unusual for the home office to get filled up with clutter.  Does this sound like you?

“It’s supposed to be my home office, but it’s more of a storage room.”

“I haven’t filed anything in a while and I have piles of paper everywhere.”

If you can relate to either of those two statements, it’s time to give your home office a shot in the arm.  Here are some things to consider:

•  Divide and Conquer. It’s time to draw the line in the sand.  Decide what will live in your office and what will get the boot.  Separate items by category – paper, books, office supplies, etc. and find a permanent location for those items to live.  Don’t forget – do a little bit every day and get your friends and family to help out when possible.

•  Make a Uni-purpose Room. Do only your work related tasks in this room.  Keep out clothing, shoes, toys, exercise equipment, etc.  If your children need to use your office, they can do homework or a specific “work” task.  Decide ahead of time what those activities will be and be sure they have enough supplies/materials.

•  Be a Dymo. Be a dynamo with your Dymo!  Use labels to remind you where things live.  This will encourage you to put them back where they belong and help your children to do the same, too.

•  Make a Splash. This might not be the first thing you think of when you decide to organize your office, but the room should feel good to you.  The color on the walls, the look and feel or your chair, the art on the wall – it all matters.  Add a splash of your favorite color or try hints of blue.  Did you know that people in blue rooms tend to be more productive?

Ok, now G.O.

Get Your Own Dymo