One of my readers has asked about my own office, which is actually an armoire off my dining area. As my business evolves, my office needs change, so usually once a year I like to take it apart, clean it and then organize it. This is the "before" photo.
The process of organizing a space is always the same. Julia Morgenstern named this process SPACE, which stands for Sorting/Purging/Assigning a home/Containerizing/Equalizing. I have adapted this to suit my own process, SPACED. Adding the D = Decorating.
The first step - Sorting, begins with my taking everything out of the armoire and cleaning it. I use a vacuum, a swiffer duster, a bottle of spray cleaner and rags to go over every surface. The computer and phone are turned off, but left in place, as I know they will be staying in those positions.
Next, I sort through everything I have taken off of the shelves and decide what will stay and what I no longer need. Its been years since I had to use a three-hold punch, so there is no need for that to be taking up valuable real estate in my desk. Last year I bought an IPHONE, so the charger needed to be added to the phone area and the cord neatly tucked into place.
After the Sorting/Purging, I Assign a home to the returning items. Rebuilding the desk by putting things back in the order of their importance for my use. Obviously, the computer and phone are the first things to be placed. Then my client folders and my activity files need to go in next.
I just keep adding in the next level of important items. Adjusting the shelving as I built upwards. I was able to Containerize as I went along.
After everything that I want back in the space is in place, I spend a bit of time making sure that everything looks, feels and works where I put it (Equalizing).
Finally, I hang my calendar, my favorite poem and added my ivy (Decorating) and I am ready to get down to business.
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