Organize Your Office...Simplify Your Life

         Hoffman started her presentation by showing a picture of "Fibber McGee's Closet" (look it up) or facsimile thereof; a closet crammed with stuff and totally disorganized.   She equates this disorganization to office storage and says that you have a choice to do something about it in order to save time and frustration.

         Before you make choices you should consider what you believe your Work/Life Balance is; in other words, think about it and write down what your overall goal in terms of organization at home and office should be.  Then identify your job role.  What are the expectations of your job?  What would you like to do to make your job more effective?  List your job goals and integrate into your choices. 

         We can make more time by automation, consolidation, delegation (delegate or stagnate) and elimination.  Stay away from the compulsion to multi-task.  When tested, people who multi-task have a lower IQ score.  Try to eliminate 20% of your tasks.  Plan your day each day.  Use a paper planner, daily reminder, software means or other to allow you to see at a glance what your day's activities will be.  Plan to succeed by setting time goals for your tasks and activities.  Set a due date but be realistic or it will become a frustration to you.  Avoid interruptions which are time consumers by closing your email for a set time and length of time each day.  In most offices there is a lot of communication but not much gets done.  Let people know that you do not wish to be disturbed certain times during the day.  Continually revaluate your goals, tasks and activities and due dates and reset as needed.