Get Organized: The Time is NOW! Whether it’s that buildup of paper all over your desk and floor or a backlog of e-mail in Outlook, disorganization is costing you dearly. When you lack organization in the workplace and, in many cases, the home and school, it could lead to missed deadlines, wasted time and money, increased costs and, most importantly, higher stress levels. Before you start your attack on this beast, always remember that there is no right or wrong way to get organized. Whatever works best for you is the answer. That said, to get you headed in the right direction, we have some tips that will help you start and continue this process. Start with the “big picture” in mind. Figure out your

priorities, and it will be easier to organize your things.

Use a planning and organizing system. Eliminate scraps of paper by keeping your calendars, schedules and to-do lists in a single binder or file on your electronic device or computer.

Invest time to plan each day, and make it a time when you’re least likely to be distracted.

Make appointments with yourself. Schedule your filing time, for instance, into your planner.

Batch the little things. It’s most efficient to do routine chores such as reading mail and filing all at once and then get on with your life.

Keep your primary work area free of clutter so you can concentrate. Move your “in” box away from that area to minimize distractions.

The key is to be sure to keep the “big picture” in mind at all times. After all, organization isn’t a destination—it’s a journey. About AT-A-GLANCE AT-A-GLANCE products help busy people manage their schedules at work and home, keeping them organized and enabling easy communication using our wide range of quality products. Our products are available from many office product retailers and dealers nationwide and can also be found in office supply catalogs. For more information or to order your planning and organizing tools, visit www.ataglance.com.