“writing an address only once.”

Today I received an address from a colleague for someone I need to write a letter.  Instead of writing the address on a scrap of paper near the laptop, I got my note taker little notebook where I jot down odds and ends and reminders.  Then I immediately got an envelope and wrote it there.

Actually that was writing it twice but I didn’t have to spend considerable time looking for it when I want to write the note.  It’s in a notebook where notes should go until I decide whether I want to keep the address in my permanent file.

If I only want to send someone a note or card once, I’ll immediately address it and have it ready for sending.  Usually, I’ve found, that I might want to use the address again, so it’s best to jot it in my little notebook.

In response to a previous post about organizing addresses permanently, I received some really handy suggestions from readers.  Do you have any tips?

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: My Organized Biz

They can be utilized in a work area to make the most use of wall space.  (Sometimes, rather than building shelves on a wall, we use shelving units.)

Fabric artists like to use shelves for their fabrics, often color coding them or organizing by type of material.  They also can place jars and other containers on shelves.

If you feel your shelves are too messy or can’t be arranged attractively, you might want to get units with doors on them, as my daughter did when she had to use part of the living room for her sewing area.

Do you utilize wall space in your office and/or work areas with shelves?  What do you find works best in organizing them?

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Then when we need it again, we don’t know where to look.  Or it gets moved to another place because it was left in the way of the next task. 

I’ve done this time and again.  I’ve finished a task but don’t take the time to return the items I’ve used.  I get called away then don’t get back to cleaning up.  Someone else might come along and put them away (in what they think is a logical place) and I don’t know where. 

So….make it a habit to return, return, return anything you’ve used.  Also, have a specific place for finished products.

Do you have a good “return” system?

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Too many times I’ve put items away, thinking I’d remember where they were because I didn’t want to take the time to label.  Or take the time to sort and organize items instead of stuffing them all together in one place.

Even a minimum amount of sorting and labeling would help me.

So label, label, label!  It wouldn’t matter whether you use a professional label maker or stick masking tape or sticky labels to the items, drawers, containers. 

Do you have a handy labeling system that works well for you?

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Glass storage containers image: sxc.hu

Do you often wonder what’s in the boxes and other containers in your office, work room, storage area or even your shop?  Have you spent considerable time sorting through non see-through containers for items you want. 

Even when the containers are marked, you don’t see at first glance what’s in there.

What about, whenever possible, using see-through plastic jars, and bins, glass containers and even wire baskets so you can quickly determine what’s at your fingertips.  Also, as you look around your work area and have your supplies where you can see them, you might gain inspiration.

Do you use see-through containers for much of your storage?

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Blogging image: sxc.hu

I have a habit of jotting down ideas on whatever pieces of paper I have handy and putting them all in a folder, on a pad of paper, or on my desk.

This had become unmanageable chaos until I began separating and categorizing.  Why didn’t I do this before?  Because I was working at only one or two blogs and one column.  I was able to keep them compartmentalized in my mind.

Suddenly the situation esculated…in a good way because now I am writing many blogs.  So I needed to get myself organized to be more efficient and productive.  Also, to avoid sitting at the computer, staring blankly at the screen and wondering where my notes are.

I’ve set up a file folder for each plog and put notes, clippings, drafts and photos into it.  Then these are at my fingertips when I need to write online or at my word processor.

How do you organize your blog, magazine, and book writing?

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Image: sxc.hu

Do you simply part with it or try to organize it for a computer, printer, fax, etc.?  Can it be converted for any of this modern equipment and still be efficient?

Because most roll tops are large and offices are relatively small, you’d have to make maximum use of the desk.  My husband has been pondering this about a roll top handed down to him from his father.  We really don’t want to get rid of it, but so far it simply sits in a storage area because it doesn’t seem practical in our office.

Has anyone else utilized an old desk for a computer and printer?

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Going green image: sxc.hu

Some of the strategies almost seem counterproductive though, taking more time, energy and expense than merited to cut down on energy, trash, and to utilize resources that don’t pollute.  This doesn’t mean that we neglect doing what we can, in our way, to make our world a safer place. 

We simply have to balance the the information and find out what is extreme and really not useful, while sifting out what will really prove helpful.

Perhaps to remind ourselves to keep “going green” in mind, to practice as we can, without it being a detriment to our business and lives, we can choose office supplies in green colors.  In addition, some greens will have a soothing effect on you, as do the greens of nature.

Do you choose office supplies in tones of green?

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Image: sxc.hu

Instead of promoting your business hit and miss, collect these tips and organize them for effectiveness. 

Then check them off as you use them.  Or rate them as you find they’re effective or not.  Remember though, that is often takes some time before you know whether promotional tactics work.  Even then, you may never know which ones were most effective.  However, you can’t sit by and refuse to take any action because you’re uncertain what would work best.

So collect, list and organize your tips as you find them, learn from friends what they found worked well, adapt it to your business.  By writing them down, you at least have begun a plan of action for your business promotion.

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Image: sxc.hu

Don’t tell them all your problems.  (Even if  it’s your best friend, there are more appropriate places to communicate problems than at your business where others may stop in.) 

Have your customers leave feeling better than when they came in…and hopefully they left after purchasing something.

Even when you answer the phone or communicate by e-mail, put enthusiasm into your messages and voice.  Let them hang up or sign off anxious to talk with you again because you make them feel better.

So while organizing your business is important, organizing your attitude is imperative, too!

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