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Your Ultimate Office

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What does your office say about you?

I had no idea my office could be this powerful and beautiful!

 – Emily London

www.emilylondonportraits.com

Meet Emily – a fabulous photographer, extraordinary woman, wife, mother and much more. Emily is a true entrepreneur, meaning she launched her first business in her 20’s.  Emily is a highly organized person with the innate skill and she knows how to create beauty.  She stepped into the trap so many home business owners fall into – trying to make a small closet area her home office. Making do just didn’t support her or her exploding business.

The first step for Emily was claiming the space she needed and deserved. We found it right down the hall from the closet. An entire room, mostly empty, being used for supplies.

The next step was asking how she wanted her office to look, feel and function when we were done. You can get help doing this for yourself here www.clearsimple.com/organizeoffice/.

Once you have claimed your space, it’s time to transform it into Your Ultimate Office. Go through Your Ultimate Office Checklist and choose what you need next.

Your Ultimate Office Checklist

  • A great desk you love working on
    • I shape – Inadequate for most as it only supports one activity
    • L shape – This allows surface for manual work and a computer
    • U shape – Ideal to handle daily work, paper/projects and equipment
    • Large area on the desk that is clear for today’s work
  • Two drawer file cabinet within arm’s reach of your chair
  • Very comfortable, supportive chair
  • Carpet protector to go under the chair
  • Two desk drawers for daily supplies
  • Windows and natural lighting or no windows, depending on personality
  • Desired sound level to help you focus or relax as needed
  • Area or cabinet for other office supplies
  • Excellent computer equipment
    • Accessible
    • Ergonomically correct
  • Shredder that is close by
  • Recycle container close by
  • Office free of all former employee’s stuff
  • Plant or some other life form
  • Bulletin board or area for visual reminders
  • Artwork that inspires you
  • An office with a door you can close when needed
  • The entire iRAFT© System for all your paper  www.clearsimple.com/iRaft
  • Extra file space for storage papers used occasionally
  • Fabulous SYSTEMS in place to maintain the space

Get more juicy ideas and guidance at Organize Office

If you want or need help from a Clear & Simple Certified Organizer, reach out to us info@clearsimple.com

 

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Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr. We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Desk

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Do you work at your desk? Why or why not?

How many hours each day do you spend at your desk?

Organize and beautify your desk and it will support your best work!

 – Marla Dee

Your desktop is speaking to you – what is it saying? Is it covered in papers and stuff that you can’t see a clear space? Is it holding more items than it needs to? Make your desk the focal point of your workspace and keep it clear and organized so you can find what you need when you need it.

Our Office Steps Guide can help you!

SEE IT – Take a look at where you’ve been and where you are now. Do your best to be neutral and take the observer viewpoint while exploring below:

  • Grab your smart phone and take pictures of your desktop and drawers.
  • When looking at your desk, write the story your clutter tells.
  • Can you even work on your desk? Is it large enough?
  • Take time to write what’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • Is your desktop covered or does it have open working space?.
  • What isn’t working? Where are you stuck and why?
  • What is stressing you the most about your work surface?

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you want. Have fun and go after what you need and want! Think about how many hours you spend at your desk!

  • Write how your desk will look, feel and function when you’re done..
  • Create an online board of images that reflect what you want most.
  • Create a mind map showing the elements of your ideal work surface. What size, color, type of material, and work area do you want?
  • Now take some time to write a new story. How will you feel when working at your desk? Will you be able to focus and create? Look at our Ultimate Office Checklist for inspiration and ideas.

Make a written plan for what you want. Have fun and go after what you need and want! Think about how many hours you spend at your desk!

  • Write how your desk will look, feel and function when you’re done..
  • Create an online board of images that reflect what you want most.
  • Create a mind map showing the elements of your ideal work surface.

DO IT – Make a written plan for what you want. Think about the big picture and overall goals for your desk. You can work out the details later.

  • Get the size and layout of desk you need to function well.
  • Choose the best spot for your desk by asking – “Where in this room do I want to sit?”. Also, where you have the best light, focus and access.
  • Add an additional surface area (on a side table or behind you) to hold your printer, projects, and papers you need handy, but not at the desk.
  • Organize your supply drawers – one with office supplies and one with your personal items. Organizer Tip: Use containers inside the drawers to keep the items in place and organized. You will be happy every time you open the drawer and can find what you need easily.
  • Keep you active papers/files in a drawer at your desk or near you.
  • Implement our iRAFT System for all your paper and filing needs.

Get the Clear & Simple SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© steps in the Office Steps Guide

Want help with your whole office – go to Organize Your Office

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Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr. We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Clutter Clear Your Office

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A clutter free office helps you focus on your work.

Clutter is delayed decisions

and holding onto the past.

Marla Dee

If you were standing at the doorway of your office with the person you admire most, would you be excited or ashamed? We certainly understand if your work space has become cluttered, disorganized and draining. This is what happens when your work expects more than you can give. You might be spending more time in your work space than at relaxing home. You might even be working from home! We wish more companies would give their employees, and more entrepreneurs would give themselves, at least one day each year just for clutter clearing and organizing.

If you are ready for an office that supports you rather than stressing you, we are here to help. You can start with just your desktop, supply area, or your paper.

Here are three great small projects that can be done in less than an hour. This will get you started and keep you from getting lost in the details. Keep in mind we will take you through SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© for the whole room next. Choose one of the following ideas, schedule the time, turn on music and dive in. Have boxes and bags on hand for what goes elsewhere, donations, trash, and goes to other areas or to other people.

01  DO THE DRAWERS

Clear & Simple, Marla Dee, Clutter Clear Your Paper, Clutter Clear Your OfficeGet ready to have fun! Open your drawers and pull everything out. You can start with the desk catch-all junk drawer or the drawer you dump all your personal stuff in. These tend to be the worst.

After dumping out the contents, sort into general categories such as pens, paper clips, etc. This way you can see how much you really have. Then get rid of the excess or stuff that doesn’t belong there or that you have never used! Honestly, how many pens do you really need? Now, put the drawer back together. Tip – use containers inside the drawer to make organizing and use easier.

02  CLEAR THE DESKTOP OR YOUR WORK SURFACE

Clear & Simple, Marla Dee, Clutter Clear Your Desk, Clutter Clear Your OfficeIt’s amazing how much stuff lands on the top of your desk making it impossible to work there!  It’s time to clear the deck so you can be productive.

Look at what you’re storing on your desktop. The only things that belong here are the active papers you are working on now, active tools, and your computer. If there are papers related to projects, or papers that need to be filed, move to the file drawer area. Supplies you don’t use daily can be moved to a drawer. When you’re done, place one item such as a plant, photo, or inspiration on top.

03  CLEAR THE FLOOR

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Office, Organize Your DeskStart at the entry to your office/work area and work your way around the whole area staying focused on the floor. You might be surprised how much has landed here that doesn’t belong or that is now past-time stuff (last year’s financials).

Pick up, bag or box all the stuff that you know needs to leave and get it out of the room! Don’t worry about the other stuff, it comes later. Then grab the broom or vacuum and clear away the old dust and grime. Return to the entry, look around and take in the difference. Just clearing the floor of old items can open space for new to come in.

Done? Take a deep breath. Notice how different your office feels? Now, celebrate what you’ve done.  Find more help below!

Download the FREE Office Steps Guide.

Your Guide Marla Dee.

I love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Office

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Does your office support you or stress you?

Most of us spend more time in our office than at home.

Make your office a place where you thrive and do your best work!

 – Marla Dee

Why work in a disorganized office or a space you really do not like? By continually doing so, you decrease your productivity, your ideas, your joy for the work you do. We want to help you by sharing the Clear & Simple Way to having a beautiful work space that you enjoy.

Download the Office Steps Guide

SEE IT – Take a look at where you’ve been and where you are now. Do your best to be neutral and take the observer viewpoint while exploring below:

  • Go around your work space and take pictures. Then take a look at them!
  • Tap into your gut or emotions and write the story your clutter tells.
  • Take time to write what’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • What isn’t working? Where are you stuck and why?
  • What is stressing you the most about your work space?
  • Are you holding onto old furniture or outdated ways handling paper?

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you want. Think about the big picture and overall goals for your work space. You can work out the details later.

  • Write how your space will look, feel and function when you have the right homes and habits in place for all of the work that comes your way.
  • Create an online board of images that reflect what you want most.
  • Create a mind map showing the elements of your ideal area and systems.
  • Ask – if you could set your office up anywhere, where would it be?
  • Now take some time to write a new story. How do you want to feel when you are working in this space? How might you be open to different (i.e. having less paper, using different systems, or getting help).

DO IT – Take the steps to make it happen. Look on your calendar and set up time for the transformation!

  • Choose an area to start with. We suggest starting small and building up from there. For example, you could start with the desktop and supply drawers, then go to other drawers, files, furniture and end with decor.
  • Go through the S.T.A.C.K.S.© System for the area (Sort, Toss, Assign, Contain, Keep it up, Simplify). By following S.T.A.C.K.S.© the project will be easier and you will save money. Go to www.clearsimple.com/steps.
  • Enjoy shopping for the containers you want and need.
  • Once you complete each area, take time to celebrate. We know you will enjoy working and being in your office. For more fun ideas check out our Ultimate Office Checklist and get something you really need or want!

Download your free Office Guide here.

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Office, Organize Your Desk
Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Simplify Home

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A simpler life begins making your home a happy place. How would that feel?

 

A home is a kingdom of it’s own in the midst of the world,

a stronghold amid life’s storms and stresses,

a refuge, even a sanctuary.

 

 – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Get Your Simplify Home Guide

If you were standing at the front door of your home right now looking in, what would you see? What would you feel? The purpose of your home is to be a sanctuary from the rest of the world, a place you can go to relax and connect with loved ones.  Sadly, many homes today hold the clutter and stress from our overfull lives. There are now TV’s in every room which support checking out from our bodies and lives. We have lost our gathering places, like the kitchen table, where we could unload and share. A simpler life begins making your home a happy place. How would that feel? How could that support your health, your family and the giving of your gifts?

To make this transformation simpler, we want you to begin with one room and choose from the ideas below. We feel the bedroom is the most important room in the home since your body spends the most time there (even when you are sleeping the molecules of your body are needing to heal). Here are places to start:

HOUR OF POWER

Set your timer for one hour and journey through your bedroom gathering all the obvious stuff that doesn’t belong there, is no longer useful, or that you are ready to let go. Keep in mind that you are only going after the obvious and easy stuff. If you have to stop and think about it, then wait. You might be shocked what goes away.

FOCUS ON THE FLOOR

Start at the door into your bedroom and work your way around the whole area staying focused on the floor. Pick up and bag all the stuff that you know needs to leave. Don’t worry about the other stuff, it comes later. Then grab the broom or vacuum and relish in cleaning away the old dust and grime. Return to the door, look around and take in the difference.

HIDING UNDERNEATH

You can start the clutter clearing by pulling out all the stuff under the bed (or other furniture). You want to avoid using this as a storage area if at all possible. If you must store something, choose items like extra blankets or clothing. Remember, your body is feeling everything under there while you are sleeping. Once you clear the space, take a the time to clean it also. You will love how it feels.

ADD BEAUTY

Take a look at the top of your nightstand, dresser and other surfaces. Since you have cleared the clutter, can you add beauty like a candle, a plant, or a framed picture?

Enjoy this guest blog – 10 Organizing Tips to Live by for a Tidy Home

For more help on your bedroom clearsimple.com/organizebedroom

 

Clear & Simple, Simplify Your Life, Simplify Home, Marla Dee, Kate Fehr
Clear & Simple, Simplify Your Life, Simplify Home, Marla Dee, Kate Fehr

Your Guides to a Simpler Life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way© to transform your life.

Simplify Office

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What if you could walk into your office tomorrow excited and energized?!

Regardless of the size of your business, it is essential to have a personalized and organized workspace.

It helps refresh your mind, improves your productivity and deepens the joy in your work.

 – Marla Dee

If you were standing at the doorway of your office with the person you admire most, would you be excited or ashamed? We certainly understand if your work space has become cluttered, disorganized and draining. This is what happens when your work expects more than you can give. You might be spending more time in your work space than at relaxing home. You might even be working from home! We wish more companies would give their employees, and more entrepreneurs would give themselves, at least one day each year just for clutter clearing and organizing.

If you are ready for an office that supports you rather than stressing you, we are here to help. You can start with just your desktop, your supply area, your technology, your paper or your productivity. Here are some great ideas to get you going. Give yourself permission and remember it can be powerful to pick just one!

What every office needs and wants:

  • A really nice, big enough desk that you love working at.
  • An uncluttered desktop area for work and creativity.
  • A very comfortable, supportive chair and a carpet protector to go underneath.
  • Two desk drawers for daily supplies, along with an area for other supplies.
  • Two drawer file cabinet within arm’s reach of your chair to hold active projects.
  • Window and/or dimmer lighting for your preference and needs.
  • Computer equipment that is fast, accessible and ergonomically correct.
  • A shredder and recycle container close by so you can clear the junk quickly.
  • Inspirational object, plant or framed picture of someone you love.
  • Bulletin board or other area for visual reminders.
  • Incoming container for the paper and information coming at you.
  • A vertical and visual action container for the papers that need your attention.
  • A project action center or location such as a different file drawer.
  • To read container and location to keep your reading papers separated.
  • Music you love or quiet depending on personality.
  • An office with a door so you can have privacy when you need it.
  • A great chair to welcome collaborators or visitors (like your spouse).
  • The entire iRAFT System to handle all your papers. Get details at clearsimple.com/iRAFT
  • Checkout the Ultimate Filing System for homes or small businesses – FreedomFiler.

What if you could walk into your office tomorrow, look around and feel yourself get excited and energized?!

Your Guides to a Simpler Life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way© to transform your life.

Simplify Your Life Homepage
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Deepen the transformation with our Simplify Your Life eBook.

The Simple Life… ha! We get the absurdity of even uttering those words. With all of the roles, responsibilities, relationships, children, 4-legged children, tasks, events, emails, papers, belongings, needs, wants, and more, life is anything but simple. It is complex, multi-faceted, and ever-changing. So, is a simpler life even possible? Is there really hope? Yes, you can craft a different kind of life. Enjoy reading about simplifying change, choices, play, sharing, growth, and more.

By simplifying, you will be more present and available for what life puts in front of you. You will enjoy the small things. And you will live with grace and gratitude.

Welcome to Simplify Your Life. This eBook will set you at ease, inspire you to play, awaken your senses and open you to new ways of being. No matter how big, complicated or busy your life is, it can be simpler. Are you ready to love the life you already have?

Buy Now