Productivity at Work, Space Included

Sarah Andrus, Senior Account Executive and LCI’s newest team member.

 

In getting settled into my LCI surroundings this past week, I realized just how much careful consideration and thought goes into preparing a work space. For most, the work space happens naturally and takes years to create, but for me it is a balanced, thought out area that is at the core of my mental fluidity. My work space must be neat, organized and contain the right equipment and supplies to make my day easy to navigate, painless to complete and fun while living it!

 

As one can tell, I’m a bit of an organizational fanatic. Thus, when it comes to my office desk and work space, everything has a place but not every place has a thing. This same framework applies to my home, car and everything within them. I strongly believe that being organized increases productivity, promotes good health and adds time back into a life; time that is now regained to enjoy, as it should be.

 

Being organized is more than a daily check list. It is preparing a space with the right tools to get the job done – just as a carpenter confirms he has his equipment before building a house. With an organized work space, an employee can work smarter without having to work harder and achieve greater results.

 

Unfortunately, most people find the task of getting organized paralyzing. All too many people are lost in their own things at home, in the office, or even in their mental state. So, use these tips to maximize a work space:

 

First – Identify what furniture and equipment is needed: computer workstation, desk format, ergonomically comfortable chair, bookcase, file cabinet, etc.

 

Second – Tackle the clutter. A good rule of thumb I recommend is: keep paperwork that is dated within a year or so of when the weeding out is occurring and also if it has important information likes passwords, social security numbers or health records.

 

Third – Establish an organizational plan using your fingertips as management. Items need to be conveniently located and placing like items together will help keep a search focused on the item at hand.

 

Fourth – Create an organizational system that can be maintained once clutter has been removed.

 

Fifth – Practice, practice, practice. With each task comes with it new responsibility of what to do with items used. Experts say changing a habit takes six weeks of consistent approach, so give the new organized you a chance to succeed. It only takes six weeks.

 

Once a work space is organized, dealing with the “toss” pile is an entirely new hurdle. Here are several great places to donate or recycle your extra professional items in the Bay Area:

 

·         Green Citizen (www.greencitizen.com) – Will recycle your electronics like computers (take out your hard drive), monitors, keyboards, TVs, printers, cell phones, etc. Well, you get the idea.

·         Wardrobe for Opportunity (www.wardrobe.org) – Will accept lightly worn suits and professional attire, as they assist low-income individuals to “Find a Job, Keep a Job and Build a Career.”

 

·         Books for the Barrios (www.booksforthebarrios.com) – Will accept gently used books to distribute throughout the world.

 

In closing, I’ll share a terrific quote I recently read: “Getting organized (at the office) is dressing your space and your mind for success.”

 

Questions on how to get your work space organized? Email me, [email protected].