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A Little Home Office Respect

© Janet Kitto

The door opens onto a wonderful view. You take a step inside and think to yourself, "Doesn't the air just seem fresher in here?" Perhaps it is because it's your home office and you've worked hard to earn the space. In front of you is your desk, the file folders are yours and the hours are ones you set. Of course its not that simple. Inside those folders on your desk is work you must do and that office chair needs to feel your weight for enough hours to earn a living. There are so many advantages to working from home. You may have to work harder but who has to know that you're doing all that work in a worn out t-shirt and ripped jeans? Personally I am more productive when I'm comfortable, but I wonder if that level of comfort is spilling over into my organizational routine? I have adapted a "I'll get to that later" attitude with my stuff, making work my priority and my problem is I never get to it later. Plus, my home office is off the kitchen and living room and it's become a drop zone for miscellaneous items. Not just by me either. My family seems to think that my desk is a catch-all for anything they don't want to put away. I think what I need for my home office is a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T:

R Read everything. Only handle papers once. Go through the mail and recycle the junk, file important papers and put the bills in a folder to be paid bi-monthly. Schedule time to read newspapers, magazines and newsletters.

E Eat meals outside of the office. Don't litter the desk with mugs and plates and candy wrappers. Make time for meals instead of trying to meet deadlines with a cup of coffee in one hand and a sandwich in the other.

S Splurge on office organizing tools such as hanging folders, in/out baskets, bins and a filing cabinet. Office materials are more likely to stay organized if they have a home to go to.

P Plan the next day the night before, prioritizing business activities and household responsibilities.

E Execute your plan each day from a prioritized list.

C Children like office work too. Get your kids involved in filing or stuffing envelopes. Make room in one corner for a small desk and let them personalize it as long as they are professional and keep their area organized. Set a good example.

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