http://www.keyorganization.com/blog/reclaiming-a-home-office-who-has-the-time Expert Productivity, Time Management, & Organizing Tips with Denise Landers Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:49:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 http://www.keyorganization.com/blog/reclaiming-a-home-office-who-has-the-time/comment-page-1#comment-8 Denise Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:54:47 +0000 http://www.keyorganization.com/blog/reclaiming-a-home-office-who-has-the-time#comment-8 When you talk about a home office, it makes a difference whether that is the main business office for both of you or, literally, a home office. Home office space is usually pretty cramped, so the fact that you have different schedules is a plus. I would start splitting the home paperwork tasks--who pays what bills, who files, etc? Consider having a separate rolling cart for each of you if there is space to store those when not in use, for instance under the desk. If there is not enough room, try two plastic storage bins that hold hanging files but can be stored on top of each other when not in use. Have hanging file folders for your daily action items and to group like activities (all bills to be paid together, data entry, errands to run, filing). Use monthly folders for those items that you only need to keep for a short time, and when the next year rolls around, toss the papers in that current month's folders. This keeps it in a retrievable spot but limits unnecessary filing. In all of these cases, MAKE A DECISION the first time you handle an item. My R-A-F-T process to do this is detailed in my book, "Destination: Organization." When you talk about a home office, it makes a difference whether that is the main business office for both of you or, literally, a home office. Home office space is usually pretty cramped, so the fact that you have different schedules is a plus. I would start splitting the home paperwork tasks–who pays what bills, who files, etc? Consider having a separate rolling cart for each of you if there is space to store those when not in use, for instance under the desk. If there is not enough room, try two plastic storage bins that hold hanging files but can be stored on top of each other when not in use. Have hanging file folders for your daily action items and to group like activities (all bills to be paid together, data entry, errands to run, filing). Use monthly folders for those items that you only need to keep for a short time, and when the next year rolls around, toss the papers in that current month’s folders. This keeps it in a retrievable spot but limits unnecessary filing. In all of these cases, MAKE A DECISION the first time you handle an item. My R-A-F-T process to do this is detailed in my book, “Destination: Organization.”

]]> http://www.keyorganization.com/blog/reclaiming-a-home-office-who-has-the-time/comment-page-1#comment-7 Ryan Bien Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:54:22 +0000 http://www.keyorganization.com/blog/reclaiming-a-home-office-who-has-the-time#comment-7 I do not have a solution, but an added complication. The home office is for both my wife and I. Our schedules do not match and organizing is next to impossible. What may be trash to me may be something she needs. We continue to work from stacks. Is this addressed in your book? I do not have a solution, but an added complication. The home office is for both my wife and I. Our schedules do not match and organizing is next to impossible. What may be trash to me may be something she needs. We continue to work from stacks. Is this addressed in your book?

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