Turn Office Organizing into a Game & Get Your Project Started
I know many people cringe at the thought of organizing their office space. They know they want it done, they know the benefits, but the act of physically organizing their space isn’t enticing so they procrastinate. So, how do you get started? Once you do, the results will keep you motivated to get the job done. As Mary Poppins says, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and – SNAP – the job’s a game.” Why not turn the job of organizing your space into a game? Here are some ideas from this NYC Professional Office Organizer to overcome your procrastination and get your space organized.
Try a game of Warmer/Colder. Remember the game where a person would be guided to some object in a room by having people say “warmer” or “colder” based on how close to the object they were? In this version of the game, you should start at one end of your space and systematically look at every bit of it. Look for those objects that are the “coldest,” meaning they are farthest from where they should be…. whether they belong in the supply closet or in the kitchen Set a timer for five minutes, find “cold” items and move them to their “warm” spots, i.e. where they belong.
Play the Hidden Object game. Have you played the hidden object games online or maybe played it in a waiting room magazine? The object is to find a number of items that are “hidden” in a picture. For this organizing game, choose an item or category (for example newspapers, magazines, and other reading materials). Select one area of your office, set your timer for 5 minutes, and GO! See how many of these items you can find buried in the piles in five minutes. Immediately throw out those that are trash, recycle as appropriate and collect in one small pile those that you will read within the next few days. The next day choose another item. In a week, you’ll be well on your way to a clutter-free office!
Give the game of Clue a try. Did you play this game as a kid, or with your own kids? Use your inner detective to discover how the clutter got into your office in the first place. Think about what happens during a typical work day. What do you do when you first get into the office? What items did you bring to work and where are you putting them? Do the same thing for the end of your work day. What are you doing before you leave? Now you have the facts of the case, so onto the solutions. Anything that repeatedly causes disorganization needs either a new home or a new routine. If you are bringing too many things to work, stop immediately and take the excess shoes, sweaters, etc. home now. Make a rule for yourself to spend 5 minutes cleaning off your desk at the end of each work day. Follow the clutter clues and solve the case.
Make starting your organizing task into a bit of a game… then set a timer and work at the task for 5 minutes! As you see the results, you’ll be motivated to spend more time getting organized and getting the job done. For more hands-on office organizing strategies, reach out to your NYC Professional Office Organizer today.