This Week’s Tip Sheet: A Tidy Home Office

Welcome to This Week’s Tip Sheet: A Tidy Home Office, as we continue to make progress on the 52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge.

Our home office has gone through many transitions over the years.

There was a season we worked strictly from home, a hybrid situation, a four-day work week situation, a weekend work situation, and finally a transition back to the office full-time.

It’s been a lot, especially given our guest rooms have become home office spaces, which can be tricky.

They can easily become a dumping ground for “extras” if we’re not careful.

So, I wanted to share these simple ideas for your office.

After all, when the spaces in our homes are set up for success, it allows us to be successful too.

Now, on to this week’s Tip Sheet!

This Week’s Tip Sheet…

Quote of the Week:

“What you do today can improve all of your tomorrows.” ~ Ralph Marston

This Week’s Big To-Do’s:

• Declutter, Clean, and Refresh the Guest Room or Home Office
• Set May Goals and Intentions
• Prep for Derby Weekend and Shop for Supplies
• Make a Wish on World Wish Day
• Eat an Oatmeal Cookie on National Oatmeal Cookie Day
• Buy a Fresh Stationery Items from a Local Small Business

This Week’s Tidy Tip:

• Start and end your day with a morning and evening routine. It will help you create boundaries around your workday.
• Set office hours and inform your friends and family.  
• Create a designated workspace or work zone in a guest bedroom or a quiet part of your home that’s free from distractions.
• Set your workspace up with the right tools and in a way that allows you to be effective and efficient.
• Plan out your workday and craft daily goals.
• Establish proper filing and workflow systems.
• Find a productivity tracker or app you enjoy to help you stay on task.
• Utilize tools to help keep you organized.
• Use time management techniques that cater to your work style so you can have built-in breaks throughout the day while still remaining productive.
• Turn off notifications, use noise-cancelling headphones, and eliminate distractions where possible.
• Resist the urge to do personal tasks (such as folding a load of laundry or cleaning the house) during your designated work hours.
• Eat lunch around the same time as you would if you were going into the office.
• Make your lunches and snacks in advance so you won’t get distracted by household tasks.
• If your pets are your coworkers, remember to make sure their needs are met. Especially, before conference calls.
• Build a workout or wellness routine into your day.
• Schedule video meetings or weekly lunches with coworkers and find ways to stay connected.
• Tidy up your workspace each day.
• Honor your home office the same way you would honor your work office. Do not allow it to become a dumping ground for household extras just because you can close the door.
• Give yourself something to look forward to each week.

Wellness Tip:

Working from home definitely has its rewards, but it can also have its drawbacks.

Especially where productivity and distractions are concerned.

So, be sure to…

• Set boundaries.
• Get dressed for the day as you would if you were going into the office.
• Have your water bottle handy so you can stay hydrated.
• Take breaks in between meetings and work sessions.
• Nourish your body with healthy meals and snacks.
• Find a meditation app you enjoy.
• Play calming or relaxing music.
• Get fresh air.

As always, I hope this week’s Tip Sheet has helped.

You can find last week’s Tip Sheet here, if you missed it.

Other Office-Inspired Posts to Explore…

Encouraged and Inspired Planning Pages

A Simple Office Space for the Bedroom

DIY Office Work Island

DIY Framed Quarterly Calendar

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Cheering you on as you blend your work life, home life, and personal life,

CoCo