Americans waste 9 million hours per day searching for misplaced items according to the American Demographics Society. In the office, this often occurs with supplies. The following tips will help you find what you need when you need it without wasting time.
Pick Up Your Stuff
Now, this may seem obvious, but put your things away when you are done. Return supplies to their homes as soon as you are finished with them. It is so easy to put off putting away supplies.
Recycle for Organizing Small Items
Desk organizers are awesome, but sometimes they do not fit into the dimensions of your desk drawers. An inexpensive way to organize drawers that contain small items (such as push pins or paper clips and the sort) is to use the containers of the “lunchables” or other kids' ready-made dinners.
Keep Only What You Need
People will often take more than they need and then do not remember where thy put it when they do need it! Only keep what you need nearby and put the rest in storage or the closet. Keeping extra supplies at your desk makes inventory difficult and your space more cluttered.
Stacking Trays are Great Tools for Organizing
You can store anything letter or legal-sized (letterhead, folders, note pads, sheet protectors, etc.) very easily and efficiently in stacking trays.
Follow the 3/4 Rule
When you have gone through 3/4 of your supply of any item, it's time to buy more.
Create an Inventory/Shopping List
Create a standard supply list of items you use regularly. As you run low on items, mark the list for re-supply. You will be set when you are ready to go shopping.
Productivity Management Through Inventory Management
It is not only a hassle to run out of supplies just when you need them, it is also a waste of time to run out to the store or store room for individual items. Set up an inventory sheet and use it to do a monthly inventory check. On your sheet, list all of your supplies and amounts ordered. You can track how long supplies last and adjust for future orders accordingly.
Hoarding is Not Necessary
Try not to hoard supplies at your desk. Keep only as much as you need right now at your workstation. Store extras in labeled containers and group like items together ex: writing utensils, clips, notepads, etc.
Share a Tip!
If you have an organizing method that you use and you would like to share a tip with us, let me know.
To your success
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