Do You Have Room for More Business? How to Make Sure that Your Office is Working for You
By Alison Roberts
Is there space in your life for increased sales? Or is your desk in such a state of disarray, your filing so back-logged and your turnaround time on proposals so dismal that new business turns and runs the other way? While many people have witnessed the increase in organizational shows, books and products, some may not have made the connection between clutter and stagnant business.
Intrigued? Read on for some practical suggestions to free up energy and attract more prosperity.
1. Purge your files. In my own research and reading I continue to come across the suggestion that 80% of filed papers are never referred to again. If you doubt this statistic, here is an objective test that you can perform: Every time you refer to a certain file, article or document, place a pencil dot in the right hand corner or update an electronic header. At the end of the fiscal year, when you purge your filing cabinet or electronic folders, you will have evidence of the value of the article. Sometimes we hang on to things “just in case,” and if we were to test this theory, we would realize that this is motivated by fear, not a genuine need for the information.
2. Get rid of reminders of failed projects or ideas. Have you ever had a great idea that didn’t make it past a staff vote? Or what about the presentation that flopped or proposal that was rejected by the conference committee? Hanging on to reminders of failed projects can keep us stuck in the past and serve as a physical barrier to new ideas and creativity. The same applies to rough drafts, duplicate copies or rejection letters. Get rid of the old and make room for the new!
3. Business Card Blues. I have always enjoyed collecting business cards from colleagues, trade shows and networking events. Instead of buying a fancy Rolodex or plastic sleeves, I have simply taken the lid from a box of cards and used that to alphabetically file my collection of business cards. However, once a year I go through the cards and re-assess which ones are worth keeping. Some people may have seemed attractive at the time, perhaps in terms of potential partnerships or business, but as the months go by there are bound to be contacts that have been forgotten or are no longer congruent with my business goals. Don’t be afraid to weed out cards to make room for new contacts. As you may already be in the habit of doing, make sure you jot down a few notes on the back of a new card to remind yourself of when you met the person or how they link to your business.
4. Textbooks gathering dust? Often people are lulled into a false sense of security with walls of books and publications. While text and reference books may have served a purpose at one time, if you haven’t referred to them in the past few years, chances are you won’t. Plus, with the Internet at our fingertips, most people go to the computer instead of their bookshelf to conduct research. Go through your books one by one and honestly ask whether they reflect who you are today. If they no longer fit with your vision or your beliefs, sell or donate them to a local library so that someone else can make better use of them.
5. Create a current portfolio and ditch the rest. As our careers progress and business grows, it is natural to accumulate more evidence of our success and contributions. However, just like our kids’ crumpled artwork, some pieces are going to have more value than others. Inventory your sales accomplishments, compile newspaper clippings, client testimonials and certificates and weed out pieces that no longer have a bearing on who you are now.
Finally, people evolve and change everyday, just as our businesses grow and expand. In order to attract more contacts, ideas and creativity into our lives, we need to maintain a flow of energy throughout our homes and offices. The flow of energy is a basic principle of feng shui, which has survived for 4,000 years. If you take the time to organize your space, events will transpire, people will cross your path and prosperity and abundance will abound. As you chart your course with more intention and clarity, in the words of Joseph Campbell, a thousand pairs of unseen hands will come to assist you on your way.
With a Master’s degree in Psychology and six years experience helping people dig their way out of clutter, Alison Roberts is a catalyst for organizational renewal and increased staff productivity. Check out her site, CleanOutClutter.com, for before and after photos, interesting articles and more information.
