FINAL COUNTDOWN TO THE NEW YEAR – 2011

December is the time to get organised!

No, I have not taken leave of my senses. Now is a great time to get your business organised so that you can begin the new year with a clean slate.

In most offices, December is lost time, usually filled with computer games, social functions and general lethargy. Get your staff motivated to use this time wisely and sort out all the stuff cluttering up the office. The benefits of an organised office speak for themselves.

– Removing clutter allows people to focus and work more effectively – Time is saved as less time is spent searching for paperwork and information. – Work spaces become more aesthetically pleasing. – Clearer spaces allow for clearer minds which in turn allow for clearer actions and decisions. – Improved morale as people are calmer and happier. – Improved productivity as tasks are simpler and faster. – Money can flow if paperwork is organised – LESS STRESS overall!

Here are some ideas to get your office prepared for 2012.

De-clutter & purge.

Clear out & clean up. Sort through all the paper piles & boxes and get rid of the junk. Clear old unneeded documents out of the filing system, including your electronic filing system. Remove everything that is not used or needed. Donate usable items to charity.

Get it done.

Tackle all the little tasks that have been lurking in the bottom of your Action pile. Complete all the half-done jobs that you have been putting off. Get as much finished, completed & closed as you possible can.

Address the backlog.

Get all filing up-to-date – this applies to papers, emails, hard copies & soft copies. Organise your office in a way that is relevant to your needs.

Fix it up.

Get all the broken things fixed – dripping taps, broken locks, and loose carpets. If it can’t be fixed, throw it out. Conduct inventories and replace where necessary.

Spring clean.

Spruce up the office. Clean the windows & carpets. Have the curtains & blinds washed. Get all desks, chairs, bookshelves & cupboards emptied, cleaned & organised.

Goal Setting.

Use this time to review and revise your goals. This is a great exercise to be done with a partner at home, colleagues at work or quietly on you own.

Planning

. Start your master and to-do list for 2012. Prepare your diary for the coming year. Begin by capturing all the tasks and events you already know about e.g. school holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, financial year-end, SARS submission dates etc. Remember – 1 life 1 diary – so include personal & work activities in the same diary.

And finally in the spirit of the festive season, do at least one good deed every day that you wouldn’t normally do. Be kind, happy & generous.

Happy organising!

Find an organiser at www.getorganised.co.za