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January a good time to organize home office, taxes
Appeared in SanTan Sun News - January 8, 2005
by Susan Henderson
 When
the last holiday meal has been cleaned up, and the New Year's
resolutions begin to take shape, consider adding an organized home
office to the list.
"Everybody has New Year's resolutions," says Linda Griffith, owner of
The Organized Option. "They're good, they provide motivation. Take
advantage of that motivation to get your home office set up for the
coming year. Especially if you're tracking information for taxes, it's
easier to do it all at the beginning of the year."
Griffith advises clients first and foremost to come up with a good
filing system. "There's many different ways you can file things, but
the most important thing to do is set up a system that's going to work
for you."
Avoiding an overstuffed supply drawer is a no-no, says Griffith, who
recommends keeping only the most frequently used items in the top desk
drawer, with extras going in a nearby closet.
Ideally, Griffith likes to see L-shaped desks, with room for a home
computer as well as an area for things like paying bills and writing
notes.
"You have to have a good desk set up, it's critical."
Task lists are not only helpful, but allow you to use your mind for
thing other than remembering what's on your task list. According to
Griffith, task lists should always be prioritized as well.
Calendars are also a must, and whether it's a day-timer paper type, or
an electronic PDA, what's most important is that it works for the
individual.
Finally, unclutter the home office desk, says Griffith. Pare down photos, knick-knacks and sticky-notes to a bare minimum.
"I call it eye-candy, and everybody needs it. But, don't overdo it."
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