How to stay organized at work

Being organized at work isn’t just about meeting deadlines or individual performance goals. When it comes to being organized at your day job, it sometimes seems impossible. Your emails are always overflowing and all you want to do is dream about that cocktail that you will be having later with your friends. I remember when I first started to get jobs that were pertaining to my ultimate career goals. I felt like I was already the most organized person in the world coming straight out of college and I thought working would be the same.

1.Try Not To Multitask

It may seem counter intuitive, but you actually get less done when you multitask. First, your attention is divided, so you’re not putting 100 percent into the work. Second, it takes longer to complete both tasks together than it does to bring one task to completion and then work on the other.

2. Have A Planner

Some people prefer Google Calendar, while others prefer the old-school pen and paper. I, for one, love having both. Google Calendar sends me notifications, and while physically writing my day out, helps me remember my task much better. Make sure you take a single day to go over your work plans for the coming week. It will help you remember what is due, and keep things organized, so you won't have any surprising appointments you completely forgot about.

3. Write A List Of Your Tasks For The Day

If there is one thing that I will never get tired of, it is writing a list. It helps me focus my mind and schedules my day out so I know what exactly I need to focus on first. The work load in the office can seem daunting, but writing a list everyday before you go to bed is actually beneficial for you. It will help release any worries of uncompleted assignments you think you might forget and it will give you a jump start to your day in the morning.

4. Make Sure To Take Breaks

It takes energy to stay organized. To keep your energy level high, schedule in short breaks throughout the day. This will allow you to stay fueled and hydrated (fed and watered, if you will) and also help you recharge your batteries during difficult tasks. In an One Thing article that references David Levitin, a neuroscientist and author of The Organized Mind,he states that taking a break actually allows one to daydream. Daydreaming frees your mind of any work impurities and transcends your mind to be more open and might actually give you a boost in production.

5. Keep your desk clean

A clean desk is a happy desk. An organized desk will look pretty and you will know where everything is, but on a bigger note, it will keep you completely organized with your mind and your things.

Keeping your physical space clean and your virtual workspace organized will help you stay focused and on-task at work. According to an article on Forbes,a report by OfficeMax found that office clutter undermines productivity and motivation. “Your performance coincides with your workspace,” said Dede. “When it’s organized and precise you have the mindset and motivation to work.” If you are stressing out about your desk, you can't really focus on the work that is in front of you. That is why a lot of freelancers have their own office space or go to coffee shops, to get their mind centered and aware from the house mess they have might.The only way to stay on top of all your assignments while delivering quality work is to learn to prioritize tasks with extreme organization. Using these tips, you’ll find that organization is not the daring feat you might have once viewed it as.

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