

To keep your meetings, projects, and goals in order, try using a wall or desk calendar. This can take the form of a whiteboard area or a separate place for a notepad.

If you have to spend too much time locating a notebook, moving your laptop to make space for note-taking, you probably won't be effective in identifying and reaching goals. When organizing your environment, it's also important to provide an area for brainstorming or list-making. Organization helps identify and streamline these areas. For example, if you have to keep getting up to pick up a form or check a system, you might want to organize your process through your environment. These simple ideas apply to how your workflows relate to the things you need to complete your tasks. Try to find a space to work from home that's just for work, and when you're away from the space, you aren't thinking about work. Conversely, working from your bed may make you sleepy when trying to be productive. For example, if you work from your kitchen table, you may begin thinking about work during family dinner. Readjusting to new environments or using a space in your home that you use for family meals or sleep can create associations that can hinder your productivity.

When working remotely, make sure you have a space that's strictly for work. If you set up an organized electronics drawer, you can give your phone a designated spot, out of your sight. Having a dedicated space or home for office items can also help you trim unproductive distractions such as using a smartphone or other device. A file system works for paper documents, and desk organizers can hold supplies and other things that could be a distraction if left on a desk. This means having a spot for the things you work with, not just stacking piles. The less you have, the fewer things you have to organize. Either way, the overall theme should be organized and uncluttered. It can reflect your style, as this can provide comfort that helps you concentrate, or it can be austere. It's the environment you create for productive work. Your office is more than your desk, chair, and file cabinets. Carve out areas for both individual and group workspaces.
