Renew Your Office to Spring into Action

Spring begins this Friday (March 20th) and it's that time of year again - Spring Cleaning. Or as I like to call it Springing into Action.

As an entrepreneur, you have a lot on your plate and even more on your desk. The beginning of Spring is the perfect time to organize your office, so you can spring into action this season (pun intended).

Here's how you can get organized and save time this Spring:

Step 1: Clear off your mess...I mean your desk.

I love starting with my desk because that's where all my important projects seem to land. First, take all your projects and lay them on another desk (or on your bed if you work at home - it gives you a change of scenery and allows you to rest while working).

Then, separate all your projects into their own piles. Next, go through each pile and decide what needs to stay and what needs to go.

[I'm a big fan of throwing away as much as possible. If something isn't needed or doesn't make sense toss it. It will make you feel better!]

Finally, prioritize your newly organized projects and get ready for step 2.

Step 2: Create an Action Box.

Now it's time to organize your projects in such a way they actually get done - what a concept! I learned this step from Patty Kreamer, a professional organizer, and it's paid me in dividends:

a. Buy a file hanger box. You can use a file drawer, but the box makes it easy to move around if need be.

b. Next purchase 44 hanging file folders and label them as follows: January-December, 1-31, and Need More Info.

[I like to have my files alternate in different colors. They are easier to work with, in my opinion.]

c. Finally, put your projects into the file folder that corresponds with the day you plan on working on that project.

For example: today's the 18th and you want to work on your number one project on Friday the 20th. Simply place your project pile into the file folder that says "20".

If the project doesn't need looked at until June, place that project in your "June" file folder. When you come to June, review the projects in this folder and place them into the 'day' folder you plan on working on them.

If you need more info on one of your projects, place it into the "Need More Info" folder. Just make sure you go back and look at it. For this, I like to put my project in a 'day' folder and a NOTE in the "Need More Info" folder to remind me.

d. Repeat with every project. Now, you know exactly when you're going to work on each project.

Step 3: Finish with the file cabinets.

I could go into a lot of detail here but here's the bottom line so you don't take too much time doing this...

Go through your filing cabinet with 3 things in mind: do, delete, delegate.

If you find something you don't need OR if you haven't looked at something since last year, delete it now!

If you find something you want done or worked on but don't have the time, delegate it now!

If you find something you want to add to your existing projects, put it in the correct 'day' folder. And if you find something you want to add to your project list, place it in the 'month' folder you plan on doing it.

This is a very simplistic way of organizing...but extremely effective! Spring into action and get organized, so you can have the best year of your life.