| Is your work at home office space organized? Is your | | | | 2. Keep a business-to-do list on your desk at all times. |
| desk neat and tidy? Can you find specific business | | | | Follow that list each and everyday, checking off tasks |
| documents on your computer with ease? | | | | as they are completed. Make a list and stick to it. |
| Or...Are you completely distracted by the mess in front | | | | 3. Keep your files and documents in order on your |
| of you as you work? Are you overwhelmed with that | | | | desk top with their appropriate labels for ease of |
| home desk clutter? | | | | searching. |
| If you answered "no" to the first three questions and | | | | 4. Set specific business hours. Set aside this time for |
| "yes" to the last two...you need a work at home office | | | | your home business. Also set a specific time to do |
| space overhaul. For some people, it is normal to have | | | | your household work. Sure, there will always be things |
| three or four stacks of paperwork scattered on top | | | | that will come up...you have to run to the store and get |
| their desk. | | | | milk, or you have to run to the vet. Always get right |
| While for others, those stacks of papers are a real | | | | back on your schedule after these home chores are |
| eyesore! A messy, unorganized work area often | | | | completed. No exceptions! |
| makes you distracted and unfocused. It is a | | | | 5. Look around your office. Is there anything on your |
| well-known fact that an organized home office always | | | | desk, in your drawers, or up on a shelf that you don't |
| results in a more productive home business. That | | | | have any use for anymore? If so, throw it out. Pitch |
| same organized work area also saves time and | | | | anything you don't need or use. Why keep your work |
| money. | | | | area cluttered with useless items? |
| For Example: | | | | 6. Throw away junk mail immediately. Always keep a |
| If you're wasting time constantly searching your | | | | trash can by your desk. |
| computer for lost documents, doesn't this cost you | | | | 7. You will always have a need for office supplies. But |
| time and money? The same goes for searching for | | | | these items take up a lot of space. Invest in some |
| that one piece of paper among the endless disorderly | | | | drawer dividers for various different sized items. You |
| accumulation displayed in front of you. | | | | can purchase drawer organizers at any office supply |
| So, wouldn't you much rather have a nice, organized | | | | store. The idea is to declutter. And again, always throw |
| home office with everything in it's place? Of course | | | | out things you don't need. |
| you would! | | | | 8. If you're confined to a very small work area, you |
| Unless...stacks of paper, lost documents on your | | | | might consider purchasing a laptop. Laptops are getting |
| desktop, and mounds of notes cluttering your desk is | | | | cheaper by the dozen and they often come with good |
| your cup of tea. | | | | deals with rebates. Shop around, you may be surprised |
| Below are just a few organization tips for your home | | | | at what you can find. |
| business office: | | | | Clutter doesn't have to completely destroy your day or |
| 1. If you don't own a file cabinet, it's best to invest in | | | | your business. Take action and get organized. Don't |
| one. Obtain a good filing system. Keep a drawer for | | | | put it off any longer, do it today! With some effort and |
| your household items and a drawer for your home | | | | a little creativity, you can have a more efficient work |
| business items. Always keep household and business | | | | space. |
| separate. | | | | |