The Importance of Being Organized at Work

Keeping organized at work can be useful for your productivity and your health!

Poor organization can be a source of stress – and all the adverse effects that can have on your wellbeing.

Here are Business Optimizer’s tips for getting organized!

Being (de)organize in the workplace

A lack of organization can be a real problem in the workplace. Keeping your colleagues waiting because you’re late to an important meeting, or not being able to find the document you need when you need it isn’t a great look.

And it isn’t just your professional reputation on the line; getting organized can have a positive impact on your health and well-being too. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that poor work organization can be a source of work-related stress.

The Importance of being organized at work:

• Boost productivity
• Reduce your stress levels
• Present a more professional approach to colleagues and clients
• Find what you need, when you need it
• Be consistently on time
• Meet your deadlines more easily

WHO has said that “since health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, but a positive state of complete physical, mental and social well-being (WHO, 1986), a healthy working environment is one in which there is not only an absence of harmful conditions but an abundance of health-promoting ones.”

It’s not too late for a stress-busting new Spring Clean – so use these simple steps for getting organized at work.

#1. Have a clear out

Get rid of any papers you no longer need – and delete electronic files you no longer need too.

#2. Adopt a filing system

If you haven’t already, organize all your electronic and paper records into a simple filing system that both you and your colleagues can search quickly. And ensure your filing logic matches across both systems!

#3. Organize your agenda

Book your time in your planner – even for simple tasks. And synchronize this across all your devices so there is no excuse for being organized and on time!

#4. Allow yourself time to think

Go as far as blocking out the “creative space” periods you need in your diary. It isn’t always productive to fill your journal with meetings – thinking time is equally important. Leaving periods blank in your log can be an invitation for colleagues to book your time without really thinking about whether they really need you at that meeting.

#5. Set alerts

Help yourself get into the habit of organizing your time using your diary by setting alarms for your tasks and meetings.

#6. Consider a task management solution

Bullet Journaling is a great way to keep yourself focused on the most critical functions of the day.

Once you have got yourself organized, you can focus on proactively creating health-promoting conditions.

Think about what you can do to promote good healthy working practices in your office and work with colleagues to implement them so everyone can benefit.