How To Organize Your Office Space for Maximum Productivity
Do you feel like your office space is cluttered and disorganized? Do you have a hard time finding things when you need them? If the answer to these questions is yes, then it’s time for a change. This blog post will provide tips on how to organize your office space for maximum productivity. You’ll learn what type of furniture and storage solutions are best for different types of areas, where to place each item in the room, and much more!
Mind Your Office Supplies
Organizing your office space is about more than just putting things away. It’s also a matter of mindful attention to the supplies you have on hand and where they’re stored. For example, if stacks (or even one stack) of paper or file folders take up valuable space in an out-of-the-way corner, it might be time to designate a lidded bin or drawer for those items.
If you have paper, supplies, and other office essentials grouped in one area of your desk – where they’re easily accessible – then life will be much easier as you move from task to task throughout the day.
Get Your Layout Right
The layout of your office space is a matter of preference, but there are some best practices to keep in mind. For instance, you’ll want an open table that provides plenty of room for pens and pencils or anything else you might need while working.
If possible, this should be near the window, so it’s not as dark when you’re working. You can also try hot-desking ideas, but first, research materials on hot desking explained to make informed decisions.
Go Easy on Reminders
The same goes for those sticky notes or dry-erase board reminders. Sure, they’re helpful at first – but eventually, you’ll end up with so many of them that they start to get in the way and clutter your desk space.
Create a folder on your computer desktop to save all the screenshots from Google Calendar or other scheduling apps you often plan on referencing. Then, whenever a new screenshot comes in, please take it as an opportunity to clear off the notes and reminders from your desk.
Don’t Go Overhead With Personal Knick-Knacks
It can be challenging to resist the urge to add your personal touch to a space. But whether it’s something as benign as adding photos of family members or personalizing with office supplies, there is such a thing as too many knick-knacks and decorations in an office environment. That goes for horizontal surfaces like desks and tables and vertical surfaces like walls and cabinets.
No matter how much you love those knicks-knacks and decorations, it will only serve as clutter at best.
One way to get around the temptation of adding decorations is by using your phone for photos. Place it on a desk or table near you and snap a picture now and again. Of course, you’ll be able to avoid any clutter but still, enjoy some personal touches that are more than just knick-knacks!
Embrace White Space
In a similar vein, one of the best ways to create an open and airy office is by embracing white space. But, again, this isn’t just about getting rid of clutter on your desk or table; it’s also about having enough breathing room in between things so that you don’t feel cramped when working.
However, it can be challenging to find white space in small office spaces or even homes used as an office.
If you’re not sure where to start, try rearranging your furniture and see if it helps with the feeling of openness. It’s a simple task that can make all the difference!
Control Your Inbox
Email is one of the most significant sources of distractions in an office. Unfortunately, it’s easy to let your inbox rule you, rather than the other way around.
One way to control your inbox is by setting up a schedule so that you’re only checking it at specific times of day, like while the CEO is in office.
Another option for those who work from home or remotely (particularly if they have kids!) is to install an app on their phone that will notify them when new messages come through.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be helpful to set up filters on your email so that only the messages of the highest importance come through. Gmail even has a feature that automatically filters emails into priority or social.
Prioritize Your Workflow
Just like with your inbox, it can be easy to let the workflow rule you. One of the best ways for this not to happen is by being mindful about how and when you do tasks, which will ensure you complete them on time.
However, before jumping into any one task or project, please take a moment to group them in order of importance so that you know what needs the most attention.
Reassess Frequently
As your office space changes or as you change in response to the tasks and projects that come up, it’s essential to reassess. If things aren’t working for whatever reason, then make some adjustments!
You always want an environment that will help you be productive. So, take time once a month or once a quarter to revisit your office space and see if there are ways you can change it for the better.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask for Extra Help
It’s easy to feel like asking for help is a sign of weakness or even inefficiency. And while it might make you less productive, it can actually lead to better results with time.
For instance, it might be challenging to find time for what’s known as ‘deep work,’ but when you ask for help, it can lead to a big payoff.
Or maybe your workload is just too much, and the tasks don’t mesh well with one another. In that case, see if there are ways of delegating or dividing up tasks to minimize the feeling of being overwhelmed.
It’s easy to let your office space become cluttered, overwhelming and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be that way! I hope the tips above help you organize the space for maximum productivity.