Organization

Hey, have you seen my sub-title? It was here just a minute ago…

For most people, organization is a chore that happens whenever the parents are in town, or wherever you suspect your significant other may be present. Usually, that’s good enough for our personal lives. Personally, I hate folding clothes… I’d gladly pay someone to do it for me. But, I can’t afford a maid just yet, so I pile clean laundry Mount Vesuvius-style in the corner of my room.

For years, I believed that I had lost my red sweater – until I found it at the bottom of Nicksuvius.

If I tried the same thing with my printed source code at work, both it and I would be in the recycle bin faster than the raptors in Jurassic Park ate everyone.

My point is that organization at work is a different beast. Some people like to organize their desks, some people like to organize their e-mail (inbox zero, anyone?). But most people tend to be more organized at work than they do in their personal lives. Why? Probably because you can’t get fired from home (unless you’re married).

Becoming organized can be a major factor in your success in the workplace. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to make sure that you become and stay organized.

1. Start Off Organized – the easiest way to get organized is to start that way.
2. Take 5 minutes a day to organize – put your notepads in order, put your pens next to your notepads, keep your work area clear.
3. Use labels for your e-mail – each major email program has a way to organize your mail into folders or with tabs.  Use ‘em!
4. Figure out what things you do that create a mess or extra work for yourself – avoid doing those things.

The main goal of organization is to keep yourself from doing extra or unnecessary work.