Cynergy's Bloggery

Organize for productivity

2011-03-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

Wish you could be more productive in your office or do you just want to get out of there as soon as possible? The key to efficiency is having an office that works well for you. Read on for creating an effective and efficient office.

Keep it within arm's reach: Everything you need should be within arm’s reach and you should be able to get whatever you need in a moment’s notice. What you do in your office will determine the tools you need for organizing. Need a book? Have a bookshelf near your desk so that when it's time to retrieve it all you have to do is spin in your chair. Just use your office to pay bills? Keep checkbook, envelopes, stamps, pens and your "to be paid" pile in the same location for easy retrieval.

Common problem areas in an office include not enough or inconvenient storage, items without a home, and taking the time or motivation to get organized.

Office furniture arrangement – use an L or a U shape arrangement for your desk, file cabinets, and credenza, it gives you the maximum amount of continuous working space within arms reach. Leave about three feet of space behind the desk to get in and out of your chair and in front of the filing cabinets to be able to open the drawers easily.

Place your desk where you want it first and then your file cabinets, bookshelves, credenza or other office furniture around it. Just as good kitchen layout is around a work triangle, so too is your workspace. Desk, filing cabinet, bookcase (or computer cart – customize to your business) – the key is to get everything you need to be productive within arm’s reach.

Think about desk placement in relation to the windows and doors. A desk facing the door will allow you to see who’s walking by, leaving you in a better position for interaction with others. On the flip side, a desk positioned so that your back is to the door will minimize interruptions. A desk positioned perpendicular to the door leaves your office open and inviting to guests but since you aren’t facing the door, you are less likely to be distracted.

Whatever makes you the most comfortable and inspired will be what makes you the most productive. Inspired by the world around you? Put your desk in front of the window.

Get an ergonomic office chair – it’s worth the investment and your body will thank you. Also, leave about three feet of space behind your desk to get in and out of the chair with ease.

Have a really small office or just need extra storage space? Go vertical – put shelves on the wall above your desk or credenza for items you might need less often.

Just don’t like to spend time in the office? An organized office will get you in and out in the least amount of time possible – isn’t that in itself worth organizing for?

For other tips and tricks click here.

Navigating your home in the dark

2011-02-25T06:20:00.000-08:00

From 1000 Awesome Things, a Facebook feed by Neil Pasricha, Successfully navigating your home in the dark (#300) gave me pause. Pasricha talks about moving about your home as if you are new to it and just aren't familiar with it yet. But what about those situations where you've been in your home for years and the problem isn't that you aren't familiar with your home, it's that there's just too much stuff in general to navigate safely in the light, let alone the dark.... imagine trying this with clothes or toys strewn all over the floor or in a home that is just in general disarray simply because there's not enough time to put your things away. Danger. Danger.

Visualize yourself navigating your home in the dark - what gets in your way? Is it your stuff or someone else's? Is it safe to walk about in the dark? How much easier would this be if only you were just a little bit more organized?

No, it's not about cleaning or picking up your stuff - if only it were that simple. It's about finding a home for everything so that you can put it somewhere. It's about streamlining life to make room for the joys that life has to offer - about moving about in the dark if you want to - without the fear of a stubbed toe or bruised shin.

Something to think about. Stay sane.
Cyn

www.cynergy-spaces.com

Weed, weed, weed

2011-02-18T11:39:00.000-08:00

Just like you would weed your garden to get rid of unwanted plants, so you should weed the rest of your life.

* Get rid of those pesky "friends" who take more energy than they give.
* Get rid of those clothes that don't fit or just make you feel fat,
or that you haven't worn in a year.
* Get rid of the excess - all those plastic food containers, pens, books, or anything else that is just taking up space but you are not using - we are all guilty of it - do you really need 700 paperclips?

While your at it, weed your chores - do only what is absolutely necessary and to heck with the rest - go out and play!

Oh yeah, and stay sane!
Cyn

www.cynergy-spaces.com

You are organized when.....

2011-02-13T08:27:00.000-08:00

You are organized when......

you can see your floor, counter, table, _______ (fill in the blank)?
you can find your shoes?
you are not late for your appointments?
your bills get paid on time?

Likely the end of this sentence is different for all of you.

Consider this - "you are organized when you can do what you have to do or want to do without wasting any time or effort" (as suggested by Kathy Waddill in her book The Organizing Sourcebook).

As in so many areas of life, the key to organization is to simplify - if you hate to do your bills, wouldn't you want to get them done as fast as humanly possible? Try sifting through your mail daily - by the recycling bin - and throw out the junk (we professional organizers like to call this action "weeding" - you know - getting rid of what you don't want or need) - have a "home" for your "bills to pay" such as a drawer, a hanging folder, or desktop file holder, then when it comes to paying those bills they can be done efficiently once or twice a month.

Still too much work? Many banks allow (some even prefer) for automatic payments directly from your checking account - it's not hard to set up (just make sure you have a secure online connection) and once it's done, a quick online check to confirm everything was paid will get you to your play time that much faster. Online billpay has the added benefit of reducing your mail if you opt for paperless billing.

And if you love to walk on the beach - how frustrating is it that you can't find your flip flops? If you put them in the same location every time they come off your feet - give them a home - you will know where to find them when your just itching to feel the ocean breeze in your hair.

Until next time, stay sane!
Cyn

www.cynergy-spaces.com

Storage Art

2011-01-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

According to one "expert" on the Nate Show today, "Storage Art" is the "in" thing to do these days. In fact, it's so "in" that Muji online is out of stock right now! But check these out at The Container Store (no I am not getting paid for this btw - I just really love these). Imagine your jewelery in these, or a stack of colorful scarves - or in your office or studio - keep your pens, colored pencils, paper clips, etc. so you can find them easily!

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/storage/storageBoxes/clear?productId=10007270&N=71226+1000023

Or keep checking back at Muji http://www.muji.us/store/household.html - they have some pretty cool acrylic containers too.

And for the inner designer in you? Rust is the color of the season (finally)- add any flavor of orange to your decor for an instant pop! But please folks, don't overdo it - there can be too much of a good thing.

Stay sane!
Cynthia @ www.cynergy-spaces.com

Snow Day!

2011-01-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

What better to do on a snow day at the beginning of the year than to start a blog! Welcome to Cyn'ergy's Bloggery - a posting of organizational and space planning tips and tricks to make life just a little bit simpler (and more fun!).

Come back often - and if you have a great organizational tip for us, we'd love to hear it! Cyn'ergy is all about working with others on the premise that two heads (or three or six) are better than one!

-Stay sane-
Cyn
www.cynergy-spaces.com