Organization inspiration: how to work better throughout the day

Working from home is the new normal in our lives now. Working from home is not just about creating a workspace though. It is about creating a functional and convenient lifestyle. If you need to get set into a work routine, it naturally follows that the rest of the day outside of work must also follow a routine - to get you into the right frame of mind.

It starts with every aspect of the home.

1. A set morning routine : Having a set morning routine - and one that is well-organised - can go a long way in putting you in a comfortable and productive frame of mind. Setting up the bedroom and kitchen such that you can fulfill morning tasks quickly and easily frees up the mind to focus on work. Set up the bedroom such that you have one section in the wardrobe which accommodates the switching of the bed covering - where you remove and stack the bedcovers and cushions at night and in the morning, the same space accommodates the pillows and sheets when the bed covers and cushions come out to adorn the bed. Making the bedroom clutter free by creating a space for every item clears the mind and is also more pleasing to return to at the end of a long day.

2. Efficient kitchen organisation : Set up the kitchen to make it easy and convenient to find and use everything you need for your morning routine. Create an appliance cabinet which houses all appliances in one space keeping the rest of the counter free. Keep the coffee-maker or the tea kettle ready to go (you can also connect it to smart devices to ensure your tea or coffee is ready when you wake up). Keep cereal in transparent containers - or leave it in the cardboard boxes - whichever is easier to identify. Both are efficient in terms of storage. Just stick to one or the other else you will have a space crunch. Keep fruits in a fruit bowl on the breakfast table, thereby clearing up the kitchen counter space as well as reducing movement of hungry souls through the kitchen. :)

3. The workspace : Start with spending one day just decluttering. Get rid of all the old, unimportant papers, receipts, etc. and file the rest away. Then get to the organising. Categorise and colour code your files and add labels. (You can use a file sorting system like 5s, if you like).

   1. Create an organisation system and arrange all files in seperate piles as per this system. Then organise them into drawers. Keep the top drawer empty for stationery. Use labels!

   2. Move all equipment other than your laptop off the desk. Create a seperate printing, scanning, etc. station. This will reduce wire clutter on the desk as well and will give space to work and a clear space leads to a clear mind.

   3. Create a mail / correspondence / bills section. Go through it everyday to stay up-to-date on correspondance.

   4. Utilise wall space to create pinboards, pegboards, shelves, etc. based on your requirements - anything to get the desk and workspace clean and organised.

   5. Keep food and drink off this space as far as you can. Have a seperate small shelf for your tea/coffee mugs and a water bottle. Keep water handy so you don't have to keep moving away to get some.

   6. Make sure everything is set up ergonomically and doesn't result in back or neck ache at the end of the work day.

4. Create a walking space within the home where you can take short min walks every hour.

5. incorporate a pullout writing shelf.

6. Keep at least one small plant on the desk so you have something green and cheerful to look at when your eyes need a break from the screen.

7. Have a special space for your post work relaxation. Make it comfortable and pretty and somewhere that you look forward to spending time.

Happy organising. :)