5 tips on how to get organized at work.

A disorganized workplace can reduce effectiveness at the office by leaps and bounds. When the right information is buried under unnecessary paperwork, it can impact customer service, not to mention interaction with other employees. Those delays and inefficiencies can cost your business time and money.

So now that May is here, it’s time to think about spring cleaning your office space. Not only will it positively impact your productivity, but it also helps improve culture and relationships among coworkers.

Here are 5 tips to get organized at work

1. Start with Paperwork. According to the National Association of Professional Organizations, paper clutter is the No. 1 problem for most businesses. A messy office or workspace can impact response time in customer service, while also creating a chaos that impacts overall happiness in the workspace. The first thing that should be organized when spring cleaning your office space is the excess paper littering your desk. Get out the recycling bin and get rid of the garbage, then file the rest.

2. Create a Filing System. Experts recommend creating separate folders for work in progress and completed tasks. In fact, the average executive loses one hour of productivity per day searching for missing information, according to Reliable Plant. Rather than having a cluttered desk filled with lists, tasks and to dos, make the time to organize the work by priority, so that at the end of the day, the workspace is clean and organized, allowing you to pick up right where you left off at the beginning of the day.

3. Eliminate Clutter. According to Forbes, desk space should only include the essentials. Any other clutter, like old coffee cups and hole punchers, should be stored in desk drawers or back in the kitchen. Keep only what you need on the surface area, and keep it within an arm’s reach away for easy access. Anything else should be placed in the desk storage.

4. Utilize Storage. Almost every work area, even the most minimalist cubicle, is usually equipped with some sort of storage. Whether it’s a filing system or overhead storage space, utilize those areas to keep important documents that you want to keep private, in addition to the items that aren’t regularly utilized. That applies to all of the piles of books, company notices and old folders that have built up on your desk. Browse our selection of storage equipment here.

5. Be considerate. Being subjected to a coworker’s mess is a most unpleasant workplace experience. Whether the desk space is housing old candy bar wrappers, moldy coffee cups or just stacks of papers in complete disarray, it makes the rest of the workplace feel less productive. Be considerate to your coworkers, especially if sharing a surface area, and keep your space organized.

For more tips on creating a more productive workplace, please contact Rightsize. Our team of expert designers is on standby to help create the ultimate workplace experience for your business.