Creating an organized home business office can seem nearly overwhelming to many. A 2008 NAPO Survey of 400 consumers’ nationwide found that greater than 50% felt disorganized at work. As a trained and experienced professional organizer I have learned that by the time my business focused clients call me for organizing help, they have been frustrated for quite some time.  Being disorganized eats up your time. Loss of valuable time equals lost money.

In the other corner...living organized means being able to find WHAT you need WHEN you need it. 

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To begin your home business office organizing, I suggest you use the ACT organizing formula Laura and I designed and use often on The Organized Woman Show. It goes like this...Assess your home business office area and decide what IS working and what IS NOT working for you. Then, Create a plan so you know what you would like your home business office zones and spaces to look like and how you would like them to function. Finally, Tackle your home office organization project by following these steps:

A.  Divide your office into 3 areas:

1. Area #1 is the immediate work area and should contain essential materials.
2. Area #2 should contain the items that get only occasional use.
3. Area #3 should store infrequently used items.

B. Set up activity zones in your home business office. A few suggestions to get you started might be:

• An office  supply zone includes your office supplies, etc.
• A paper processing zone includes some horizontal space for processing.
• A work zone includes your desk, computer & phone.

C. Round up necessary containers. Use what you already have around your home as much as possible. If you need to purchase containers, measure BEFORE you shop.

D. Keep your home business office organized by labeling:

1. your containers and
2. the drawers / shelves where they reside.

E. Decide to clean up after yourself daily. This is much more difficult in a home based business office, but can and should become part of your working routine.

I've pulled together additional tips and ideas to help you through the process. I share further information on office productivity, desk organization and paper management on my (Vicki's) website blog found at www.OrganizingMindOverMatter.com

Make sure that what you are storing in this valuable space has some real value and works within your business plan. Your organized home business office needs to make sense to you. You CAN do this!