Life is filled with moments for a lot of us where we just can’t stand where we live anymore. We do not have walking room because the furniture is in the way or whenever we aren’t looking someone is putting things in the chairs or sofa so we can’t sit down!
This is also known as Aunt Mary, Joan or Sue just couldn’t let go of their things because they want you to have it.
I know you know what I am talking about.
So how do we deal with the fact that our space isn’t working for us anymore?
You actually need pen and paper for this one. Or if you have a CAD program that uses dimensions to draw pictures of rooms then go for it, and use it.
Space is finite. You only have just so much space in your room(s). Take those measurements and then using graph paper draw out the dimensions. One box per foot. So a 12×12 room is 12 boxes across and 12 boxes down, making a square.
Can anyone tell I’m not a mathematician?
Measure and estimate the size of the furniture you have in your room. If the sofa is 7 feet long and the wall is 12 feet long, do you still have room for end tables on either side of the couch?
I hope you understand where I am going with this. By measuring and taking those measurements to the store you know that you will come home with furniture that fits your space.
My husband has sold furniture for 13 years and the one thing that happens frequently is that people (that means all of us) go into stores and see something we love and no matter what the size we think ‘yes it will fit, I’ll make it fit’.
Unfortunately, the reality is that once we get that furniture into the home we are never going to be satisfied because it really won’t fit. We either didn’t account for the window, or that there is not electrical plug on that wall to support a lamp, or simply the couch is too big for the walking space.
Leaving that scenario let’s talk for a minute about your desk. Seriously, when and where did all those papers, envelopes and things come from? If you are a home based entrepreneur dealing with the paperwork, filing, electronic files and all the mail you get can be crushing. So the least you can do for yourself is to get it under control.
In your office take a look around at the equipment you have (or need). Make a list so you can purchase what you feel you need to make you life easier. You obviously need a desk that gives you a large workspace to write on, have a computer on and hopefully has drawers for you to use. You also need the basics, a printer, scanner, fax machine (hopefully built into one machine), a telephone for all those great sales calls you need to make and all the sundry other machines you need at different times. Okay, the last thing is a comfortable chair and something to put on the floor so you don’t ruin the wood or carpeted floors.
Every day we get tons of mail. If you are like 9 out of 10 people you put it on a table, a chair, the microwave or beside your chair in front of the television to go through at a later time. Why?
Probably because you always have done it like that. So the tip of the day is to stop it!
Beside the door that you always come in from outside, place a table. It can be small. Put a basket or some other type of catch all on top of the table. Every day as you walk into the house from picking up the mail put everything that needs to be gone through, but you don’t have the time or want to take the time to do it immediately.
There is a great rule of thumb that I have been hearing from innumerable organizers. If it takes less than a few minutes to do something, GO AHEAD AND DO IT!
So this tip can save you time and ultimately money. Get a basket of some sort and keep all the mail in one place. Every day take a few minutes to go through, shred or tear up the mail that you determine is trash and make sure you stay on top of this.
Your desktop and you! Your desktop needs to have certain things so that you can find them later on. Three letter trays (or legal if needed) to hold the in, the out, and the to be filed papers. So go to your favorite store or look in your closet as you may already have some, and put these on the desk.
Take each paper in hand and tell yourself what you need to do with it. Remember this is a habit that you need to form and it only takes three weeks to form a new habit! Put those papers in the proper tray. When you know you have to file everyday to keep up with the paper flow, take a few minutes and just do it!
For now, take these few tips and try them out.
I have to run to get to an appointment! Have a great weekend!
