Organization may seem like an afterthought at first, but it can be key to helping you reduce stress and be successful in the workplace.
Read on for our top 5 tips to stay organized at work!
1. Physical Organization
There are many different types of organization when it comes to the workplace. First, it is important to go over the obvious one. Physical organization comes down to making sure that your workplace is a pleasant and easy place to get things done.
One easy way to go about revamping your physical workspace is to analyze and audit your workflow.
What is your daily routine?
How do you get things done?
Can your workspace be tailored specifically to help you better?
These are all questions you should ask when considering the physical layout of your workspace. Staying neat and tidy is rather obvious, but try to figure out tips and tricks to make it easy to be more productive.
Workspace Checklist
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Clear your desk of anything that is not needed on a daily basis.
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Adjust your seating position to be closer to things that you need easy access to.
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Analyze your digital workflow. What programs do you use everyday? How can you make them work for you? (Use shortcuts!)
2. Mental Organization
On the other side of physical organization is mental organization. This can be defined as making sure that you are mentally healthy and free of emotional clutter.
Mental organization can be a bit trickier than physical organization in that it is not nearly as easy to identify certain problems. However, here is a checklist to help you mentally de-clutter!
Mental Organization Tips
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Practice mindfulness and gain a better perspective about things happening around you at work.
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Self Care is important! Make sure that you leave time for self care every day.
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Venting is also important to make sure that you can expel negative emotions! Talk with your friends and family frequently!
3. Make Goals and Keep Track
Goals are another key part of organization, particularly when it comes to keeping track of your career. Goals can help you stay on track with everything that you do on a daily basis.
“Did you know that 14% of people who have goals are 10 times more successful than those without goals.”
The most important thing about goal setting is to make your goals actually reachable. Set realistic goals and also come up with an actual plan to accomplish them.
Unrealistic Goal Setting:
I am going to find a new job within 2 weeks. I am just going to apply when I feel like. Hopefully I will hear back from someone.
Realistic Goal Setting:
My goal is to find a job in the next 3 months. I will apply to 10 jobs every week. I will network with at least 5 people a week. If I cannot find a job in 3 months, I will look for work in this field instead.
Always remember to set yourself up for success. Goals are so important!
4. Keep a Schedule and Planner
Staying to a schedule is another way to keep yourself organized at work. Although this may seem like an obvious choice, it can be a bit difficult to keep your schedule itself organized.
The more specific your schedule is, the better it can assist you. Make sure to block off time for everything throughout the week. Specifically, make sure to block off time for goals and self care. It can be easy to only use a schedule at work (and for work), but try to apply it to your personal life as well.
At the office, a good tip is to keep a combined schedule that shows everyone’s planners in one place. This way everyone can keep track of events together!
Another good tip is to keep lists when you plan! Physical lists for each day of the week can help you stay on track with specific goals. The more details you write down, the better!
5. Delegate and Be a Team Player
Delegation can be one of the most important ways to stay organized at work, particularly if you are in a leadership role. By managing your own workload, you can free up valuable time to make sure that you stay organized.
Delegation can be tricky sometimes, but try to use the 70% rule!
The 70% Rule:
“If the person the manager would like to perform the task is able to do it at least 70% as well as they can, they should delegate it.”
In other words, if someone can do something as well as you, delegate tasks to them when you can! This will allow you more time to focus on organizing your workload.
How do you stay organized at work? Which tip do you like the best? Comment on our Instagram now!
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