A Clean Desk is A Sign…

By Stacy Karacostas

Wow! Spring has really sprung. The cherry trees are blossoming, the sun is shining, my lawn is even high enough to mow (sigh).

And you know what that means…

It’s spring cleaning time.

This also means there is no better time than the present to get your office straightened out and organized. Of course, if you are like most people (myself included), that is often easier said than done.

I’ll be honest; I have long been a firm believer that a messy desk is a sign of genius.

Unfortunately, I’ve also leaned that a messy desk is a sign that it is going to take me way to long to find that unpaid bill, important phone number, or whatever else I’m looking for…and I just do not have time for that.

So I’ve forced myself to become more disciplined. I’ve tried a variety of systems from files to boxes, bins, PDA’s white boards, software programs and more to keep myself organized. Over time, I have discovered the ones that work best for me.

And you know what? It has made a huge difference in my overall productivity.

Plus, every time I get a little more organized and tidy, my business seems to take another leap forward. You can’t beat that with a stick.

Now I actually really enjoy the feeling of walking up to a clean, organized desk with little else on it than a to-do list and one small stack of papers (I gotta have a stack of papers).

I can jump right into my day with a quick look at my project management board and daily list. Everything I need is close at hand. And I can find all my client files in a heartbeat.

I’ll be the first to admit it hasn’t always been easy to stay on top of, but it has been worth it.

Perhaps you are thinking “Sure…great idea Stacy, but easier said than done.”

Believe me, I’ve been there to. But you can do it if I can (just ask my Mom).

So this week I decided to share a few terrific get-organized tips from one of my past clients, Rebecca Ross of The Composed Domain. A professional clutter coach, Rebecca doesn’t just assume a few boxes and file cabinets are going to do the job.

She gets to the heart of clutter management problems by helping you discover the real reason(s) why you are keeping all that junk around.

According to Rebecca…

There are three kinds of issues that stop us from getting and staying organized.

1. Technical Difficulties

• Things have no home
• Storage Space is limited or full
• No room to start

2. Reality Challenges

• Limited time
• Life Transitions
• Other People: Uncooperative?

3. Emotional Obstacles

• Need for Abundance
• Fear of Letting Go / Attachment
• Chaos Habits
• Unclear Priorities or Goals
• Distraction / Focus Issues
• Perfection

Knowing which of these issues stops you in your tracks can open the door to change. (Then you can) create a strategy that liberates you from old patterns by understanding what blocks progress.

A Tip for the Season:
Schedule a date with your closet to review and sort clothing. Separate the winter items physically in the space, move (them) to less used closet, or (put them) in under-the-bed boxes so that what you see is what you wear.
Consider this an opportunity to donate the winter items that you never actually WORE this past year!
_________

Donating unwanted clothing to thrift stores is always a good idea. And consignment stores are certainly an option. But if have any women’s “interview appropriate” business clothing that you don’t wear any more, consider donating them to Dress for Success Seattle*.

This terrific non-profit organization helps low-income women get and keep good jobs—and succeed in the mainstream workplace. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and a week's worth of separates when she gets the job.

So make the most of your spring cleaning this year by getting your office organized, and even making a difference in someone life else’s at the same time!

*Not in Seattle? Head over to their Website www.dressforsuccess.org to find a chapter near you.
Dress for Success Seattle
1118 5th Avenue
Seattle, Washington USA 98101
Phone: (206) 325-3453
Fax: (206) 325-0720
www.dressforsuccess.org
Dress for Success currently accepts new or nearly-new and cleaned:
• Coordinated, contemporary, interview-appropriate skirt and pant suits
• Beautiful, crisp blouses
• Gorgeous blazers and jackets
• Professional shoes
• We are particularly in need of larger-size suits

What we can accept:

Please contribute currently styled interview-appropriate clothing that you would feel comfortable wearing to an interview. We request that all donations be in excellent condition, on hangers and ready for use (i.e., laundered and ironed, or dry-cleaned and pressed, whichever is appropriate).

Our current most critical needs are:

- Plus size clothing. As the average women dressed at DFSS is a size 16 or above, clothing donations in these sizes are in extreme need.
- Wide shoes
- Handbags/Purses
- Umbrellas
- Scarves
- Shopping and Garment Bags

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