More than a third of employees think that they’re less productive than they were before.
There are a number of reasons for lost productivity. Bad management, job satisfaction, and the office environment can kill productivity for workers.
The office environment is one of the most underrated causes of productivity losses. Employees get distracted by the office space, causing them to lose focus.
If you learn how to organize your office, you’ll know how to get the most out of your day and your employees.
Pay attention, whether you work from home or you spend your day in a corporate environment. Keep reading to discover 10 organizing tips to create a better work environment.
1. Clear Clutter
Clutter is a reflection of the mind. If you have a cluttered physical space, chances are your mind is full of just as much clutter.
You can’t be productive if your mind wanders through the clutter. Use this as an opportunity to clear your physical and mental space of clutter.
Purge old and unnecessary items from the office. Get out the shredder and shred old documents you don’t need anymore.
Clear the clutter from your mind, too. Write down your thoughts that take up so much space in your mind. Create a to-do list out of them, so you stay on track.
2. Take Advantage of Natural Light
People who don’t get enough natural light tend to see a decline in their moods. The drop in mood leads to lower productivity.
One study showed that 38% of employees who have emotional wellbeing issues lose 60 minutes of productive time. Clear blinds from the windows and let the light in.
3. Automate Tasks
Automating tasks is another way to clear clutter. It also saves time and improves office productivity.
Make a list of all of the repetitive tasks that you do. It could be anything from data entry to creating social media posts.
Look at the list and note which ones you can automate. Invest in tools to help you get more time out of the day.
4. Create a Computer Filing System
Online organization is just as important as office organization. Clear out old computer files that you don’t need anymore.
They may be old projects that you don’t need to hang onto anymore. Create a filing system and file naming convention for the remaining files.
The naming convention is a systematic way to name your files. It makes it easy to search for them. For instance, one convention is PROJECTNAME_DATE_PROJECTSTATUS.
That lets you and your team identify the project and where it’s at in the process.
5. Use Labels
There’s no doubt that you have office supplies and papers to organize. Use clear plastic bins for these supplies.
Label them so they’re easy to identify. Do the same with your physical folders and files.
6. Manage IT
Technology plays a huge role in your business. Your IT needs to be organized, too. Make sure you clear computer wires from the floor and walkways.
That could become a liability issue for your business.
Make sure you use the latest technology. Trying to access information from a slow, outdated program is frustrating for everyone.
It can impact moods and office productivity. Don’t let things get to that point. Get the latest technology to help you boost your business.
7. Utilize Storage
Businesses need to retain records for about seven years. Some records can’t get thrown away.
There may be legacy systems and technologies that you have to hold onto for spare parts.
You need these things, but you only access them a few times a year. It doesn’t make sense to have these things taking up office space.
Business storage units are a great way to maintain your records and keep them in a secure place. It also clears office space. View here for more about the benefits of storage for your business.
8. Reconfigure Your Layout for Maximum Productivity
Whether you’re in a home office or share space with other people, the layout of the office has to help maximize office productivity.
How much time do you spend looking for a piece of paper or running to the printer? Maximize the layout to minimize your time away from the desk.
This lets you focus your attention while you’re working and take strategic breaks when you need to.
9. Outsource and Delegate
Organizing means you know where you need to spend your time. If you’re a manager or business owner, your time has a direct impact on the company’s bottom line.
Don’t waste time doing tasks that don’t generate revenue for your business. Outsource and delegate those tasks as much as possible.
Spend your time on the tasks that make the most money for your business.
10. Create a Positive Environment
It’s not just the physical space you need to worry about. You can have the most organized office, but if everyone is miserable in their work, it won’t make a difference.
You also have to make everyone feel like they’re part of the team. Before you undergo any dramatic changes in the office environment, get their feedback first.
Make your employees feel valued. It can go a long way toward creating a completely positive environment and boosting productivity.
How to Organize Your Office
You spend most of your days in your office. Shouldn’t it make you feel good to be there?
You just learned how to organize your office to boost productivity. It’s not only about clearing clutter and throwing things away.
It’s about creating the perfect environment that lets you and your team thrive. Follow these office organization tips and you’ll see your business efficiency soar.
For more helpful business tips, check out the other articles on the blog today.
