A messy office can lead to unnecessary stress and can easily zap you of your productivity. According to a 2013 survey, 55% of surveyed Americans stated that at-home disorganization was a source of their stress. Take a day to really declutter and organize your home office, not just for your own health but for the benefit of your business. Here’s how to start:
Write Out Your Organizational To-Do List
Starting to sort your home office is difficult to say the least. You have a million other things on your mind – whether it’s posting your rental listing or doing maintenance – actually taking the time to commit to cleaning can be hard. That’s what to-do lists are for. Before you start writing what organizational tasks you want to do, write down everything you have had on your mind before that. That’s right, even if you feel like you won’t forget it, write down the maintenance you need to do, the websites you need to post your listing on, and even the at-home tasks you need to do.
Now that you have that down, you can make your organizational to-do list. Think of the things you want to accomplish. Do you need to do physical cleaning, filing, sorting, rearrange your furniture, or pick up organizational supplies? Writing down what you want to do will help keep you on track.
Sort and Organize
Now it’s time to dig in and sort through your files. File away any old or new tenant paperwork and organize your loose papers and mail. Since tax season is close at hand, file away any receipts and invoices. If you’re in the middle of doing your taxes or have already sent them in, think about what would make the tax process better for you next year and file your new receipts accordingly. While forming habits like these are difficult to maintain, once you get to the deductions section of your 2016 taxes, you’ll be happy you started organizing early on.
As you’re sorting through your loose papers and files, consider if there are any documents taking up space that would be better off stored in your computer. Consider utilizing ApplyConnect’s® online rental application or a scanner to keep the physical paperwork at bay. Additionally, did you discover if you needed any organizational supplies or tools? Do you need more file folders or another lockable file drawer? Would a label maker keep you organized? Make a note of this on your to-do list and plan to utilize these tools (if any) the next time you organize.
The Deep Clean
When I say you should “deep clean”, I mean literally clean your workspace. Do you need to vacuum, dust, wipe down your windows, clean your computer, throw out the trash, or remove some of your personal items out of your office? Now is your chance to do so. Starting off with your now organized office, getting it squeaky clean will be easier to start and less overwhelming.
Your Trash Might Be More Suited for the Shredder
Figuring out whether or not your unneeded documents belong in the trash or in the shredder is an important and quick step when tiding your home office. If you don’t have a shredder, I highly recommend getting a cross-cut shredder. It’s one of the ways you can securely and legally destroy sensitive information. As the saying goes, one man’s trash can be an identity thief’s treasure. So take the time to look through your disposables.
Feel better? While decluttering and cleaning isn’t a fun part of being a business owner, it’s an important process. Not only does it help your mental state, but it helps you stay on task and keep accurate and secure records. Your current and previous tenant’s personal information is in your hands, so it should be neatly filed away in a lockable drawer. Now, how about we tackle that email inbox?
How do you stay organized on a day to day basis? Do you think it has an impact on your health and business? Let us know in the comment section and be sure to subscribe!
