The end of a year is a time for reflection and writing down new goals for your personal and work life. What could you have done better to be more productive and less stressed? If you asked me that question the answer would be better organized. I don’t know about you, but I can always work on my organizational skills.

We all know it can be challenging to keep your office and workspace organized, but it is worth it. A clean workspace allows you to be productive and get all your work done more efficiently.

Here are some tips for keeping your office and/or studio organized and also keeping you on track.

Purge Your Space- I think it always feels good to purge. Whether it be clothes you are donating or items around the home or office. We suggest you make three piles: keep, donate, and trash. You will be surprised what you end up giving away or throwing away, and when you are done you definitely feel lighter. I like it because I get immediate results from my hard work.
Put things away. The more you have on your desk, the higher the piles. the easier it is to lose items or documents. Take a few extra seconds to put items away and where they belong once you are done using them. This one simple practice can keep your desk and studio clutter-free. I have started this and it has helped me.
Storage- I do not use storage/organizational supplies enough. Every time I purchase them I am happier and feel a little more calm seeing my work items in an organized container. Think about adding pencil/marker cups, drawer tray organizers, or dividers for your files and papers. My tip: Visit The Container Store. I think you will like it.
Buy a planner. Some use sticky notes as a reminder because you can stick them where you know you will see them. Guilty. The problem is one sticky note turns into 20 sticky notes and now you have added a little bit of chaos. Use a planner! I keep mine right in front of my keyboard, open and ready to keep me on track.
Label- They say you cannot have too many labels. You can use a label maker or handwritten adhesive labels. It gives you a quick identification of what the items are and where they go.
File- Do you have a good filing system? Paperwork can really get out of hand. Invest in an adjustable storage system that will help you create a custom workplace. If your papers and documents are filed you will be able to find what you are looking for with ease.
Stay the course- Try and really clean up your desk and studio after each work day. No matter how busy you are, you should straighten up your workspace at the end of the day.