Its that time of year again! Spring gives us another opportunity to start fresh and reclaim our spaces. Office organization can be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding spaces for you to focus on. Since office clutter has a direct impact on how effective you work, it is important to spend some time on creating a system that works for you. But don’t be overwhelmed! Set aside a couple of hours every week to tackle one task at a time and you will immediately feel more focused and calm in your own space. Concentrate on clearing off your desk by keeping only what you really need in eyesight. Try to tackle that paper clutter by creating systems that work for you when you need them; focus on ease of accessibility and giving every action a flow. When spring cleaning your office, think about your daily tasks and organize around them. Follow these tips below to help tackle your office organization!

1. Digitize what you can- Digitizing paper, photos or any loose material in your office will help to keep your desktop clutter-free and organized. Make sure you organize your online folders accordingly so you know where the documents are when you need them.
2. Create an ‘in & out’ mail system and follow it- Go through your ‘in & out’ mail system once a week to ensure nothing is overlooked. This system can include bills, receipts, report cards ect.
3. Organize your email and computer files- Organize your email and computer files into general folders. Check online to see how you can customize your email to make it easier for you to retrieve the information you need, when you need it. If you receive a lot of unwanted mail, take the time to unsubscribe from any additional content. This simple step can save you a ton of time searching through emails and will help you gain control of your inbox.
4. Clean off your desktop- In order to keep your desktop clutter-free, only have the items you use on a daily basis within arms reach. Try going vertically, using shelving systems, to store items larger items you may need. Categorize your items into separate boxes or file folders; just remember to label everything!
5. File important papers- Filing important papers right away clears not only your desktop, but also your mind. Insurance paperwork, birth certificates and passports should always be stored somewhere safe and out of a child’s reach. If you need a document, take the time to put it back right away.
6. Reclaim your command centre- A quick trip to Staples is all you need to get your command centre back up and running. Start with a sturdy 3 ring binder then add tabbed dividers as needed, labeling accordingly. You can also opt for labeled portfolios to help store emergency contact numbers, take-out menus, gift certificates or postcards.
7. Tame those cables! Those unruly cable, cords and wires seem to always be a visual eyesore in the office. Luckily, there are a ton of products in the market to help you tame organize your cables and increase your desk space.
8. Look up! One of the best ways to maximize storage in a small place is to think vertically! Wall shelving is a compact storage system that is an effective way to save valuable floor space. This system can also serve as a focal point in your office. Be creative with the colours and sizes and add items such as candles, frames or keepsakes to help personalize your space.
9. Restock items- Now is the time to restock the products you need and organize them accordingly. Remember to keep supplies and often-used items stored separately. This keeps less-frequently-used items from taking up valuable desk space.
10. Evaluate your lighting- Whether you work in a home office or cubicle, the quality of lighting in your workspace can make a big impact on your productivity. Ensure your desktop is well lite since you may be reading for hours at a time. But remember… nothing is better than opening up your windows after a long, cold winter!

Written by Jessica Filigno

This week is ‘national clean out your closet’! Unsure of where to start and looking for some much needed inspiration? check out these fabulous celebrity closets. Although excessive, all closets have one common theme....a place for everything!

That feeling of having nothing to wear until we actually go through our closets is upon us. Opt for donating the items you don't wear to those in need and freshen up your wardrobe with some bright new pieces to get you ready for the spring. Remember for every piece of clothing you purchase, two items need to be removed from your closet (that rule also applies to all accessories; shoes, purses, jewelry ect.)

Olivia Wilde adds a touch of rustic chic to her closet and brings the focus directly on that beautiful vanity.

Image from Instyle.com

Eva Longoria uses traditional built-ins to help showcase her impressive shoe collection.

Image from Instyle.com

Nicky Hilton keeps it classic chic with neutral colors, letting her clothes be the star of this closet.

Image from Instyle.com

Paula Abdul loves her accessories, but who doesn't? Luckily there are designated places for her expansive collection!

Image from Instyle.com

Written by Jessica Filigno

According to the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), we wear 20 per cent of the clothes we own 80 per cent of the time. The rest hangs there, just in case. 

(http://www.the-organizing-boutique.com/organizing-statistics.html)

Written by Jessica Filigno

Written by Jessica Filigno

So we’ve all come out of a busy and hectic holiday schedule and our home, finances and environment reflect just that! Don’t worry. It’s the New Year. Time to get back on track and take control of your life. Follow these steps below to jump start your January!

1. SET GOALS WITH DEADLINES

Setting goals for the New Year is one of the most important steps in staying organized; establishing deadline’s will help to add urgency in achieve your goals. Try establishing obtainable daily lists that you can check off once an item has been completed. That way you stay on track with what needs to get done and feel successful with what you had accomplished that day.  

2. TACKLE YOUR CLUTTER

After the holiday season, our homes often reflect the abundance of gifts and entertaining that took place. It’s now time to be diligent in tackling any clutter! For every toy your child received, try donating three items that they do not use anymore. Do so with all the items you received during this holiday season. This will help in removing any excess items you do not need and also make your items feel new again!

3. SET AND STICK TO A ROUTINE

If you constantly felt like you were always running late or missing appointments in 2013; it’s now time to organize a better schedule. Good thing is that there are a ton of tools that can help you organize your day. If you prefer electronic, try using an app or online calendar program like Google Calendar that will help you sync your schedules. If you prefer paper, try to find a planner that you can work with easily. My personal favourite… the Whitney English planner available on Etsy. The key part is to have your work, personal and home schedules all in the same planner to ensure there is no overlap.

4. TACKLE ANY PAPER CLUTTER

It’s never been a better time to tackle your piles of paper then the New Year! It’s important to know that organizing is a process, not an event. This does not have to be done in one day, so do not overwhelm yourself. Try dedicating two hours every week into your schedule for going through any loose paper. Organize the loose paper into a ‘keep’ pile and a ‘toss’ pile. The ‘keep’ pile can be filed either into a paper filing system or electronically. Organize this pile into folders that make sense to you that way when you need something, you know exactly where to find it. You can bring the ‘toss’ pile to your local office supply store to shred, so there is no need to purchase any additional equipment.   

5. ORGANIZE YOUR FINANCES

We always end up feeling the financial impact of the holiday season into the New Year and are often overwhelmed on where to start. Much like paper clutter, set aside a couple of hours every week to tackle your finances. Most importantly, set a budget! A budget will help you stay on track and achieve any financial goals you have set throughout the year. Remember as time-consuming as this is, tackling your finances can make a huge difference to your year.

No matter what your New Year’s resolutions are, starting the year out feeling a bit more organized can really set the tone for the entire year.

Written by Jessica Filigno