Have you noticed that, if your office stuff is just a cluttered mess and you have to find an important document, then the mess seems to get messier and you end up more frustrated? If so, then welcome to a common peril of the home office. It’s easy to neglect proper organisation in the home office. Can it be that important if you are just at home? If it is going to reduce your productivity, then yes, it can!

 Here are a few tips to sort out your home office.

 Keep a clean desk policy

• Move all of your paperwork off your desk. Then organise your paperwork by type and place documents in proper containers (see below). The same goes for writing implements.
• If you come across documents that you no longer need, get rid of them. (Whether you can just throw them in the bin or need to shred them will depend on the content. Remember that some material will be confidential to you or your clients.) 
• If you come across old reading matter that is no longer used in your office, put it away. It is only taking up space that could be used for more important documents.
•  Get a memo board or corkboard. This will help organise some of the stuff taken off of your desk.
• Rearrange your desk so that you maximise the space while doing work.
•  Tidy and clean your desk regularly.

Organise proper containers and storage spaces

Your files should be allocated to specific containers or storage areas according to the type of file. This will have two benefits: it helps keep your desktop clear and it will be easier to find the files later.

You can organise these important files by category by allocating them to specific trays, lever arch files or filing cabinet folders. When it’s time to use a file, you will know where to look, this will save valuable time that could be spent on ‘real’ work.

When you start to organise your files, consider how often you are likely to use them in future (if at all). Then you can place them in an easy-access file location, store them in less accessible containers or just get rid of them. This will save you time and space.

Plan your schedule

A planner, diary or calendar is essential for your home office desk. As a minimum this will enable you to keep track of the date – easy to lose track of when busy.

If you can, get a planner. This will enable you to record appointments, tasks that must be done by a given date and other information that you need to keep in front of you.

So what’s in it for me?

Setting up your home office can take a lot more effort than you might think. You need to balance work and home life. More importantly, you need to condition your mind that the home office is a work space, even though it’s in your home.

However, there are important benefits from getting your home office organised. Here are a few.

• It will promote a professional image. People who see your efficiently-organised office are more likely to regard you as a professional. 
• It will be easier to find documents and other things.
•  It will help avoid important documents being lost or thrown away.
•  It will save you unproductive time in looking for things.
•  It will help reduce stress because you won’t have to continually deal with clutter and disorganisation.