Being organized means different things to different people. For some it means dozens of filing cabinets with carefully organized drawers and folders with lots of subsections. For others, it means knowing which pile of papers to begin looking in when they need something.
What’s organized to one person may be a horrible mess to someone else. But no matter what your organizational style, the bottom line is making sure that what you’re doing works for you. You could have the most state-of-the-art organizing system around, but if it takes you hours of sorting through subcategories to find what you need, it’s not doing its job.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy, But It Should Be Functional
When getting started in business, many people run out and buy filing cabinets, in and out baskets, and desks with lots of compartments. These things provide lots of organizing options, but unless you are dealing with lots of files and paperwork, chances are it’s overkill.
Systems that can expand as a business grows are a more economical option. Stackable file drawers are a great example. There are even plastic storage units that might suit your purposes just fine. If you are dealing with confidential information, you might want to go with something sturdy and lockable. Otherwise, anything that holds your paperwork in a way that can be organized will do.
When it comes to desks, some like open shelving while others like lots of drawers and compartments. As long as you can keep things that you need within easy reach, it is simply a matter of preference.
There’s a Lot to Be Said for Trial and Error
If you are new to business, it’s hard to know just what will work. Even those who are extremely organized when it comes to personal papers and items may not know where to begin when it comes to organization for business purposes. Perhaps the best thing you can do is just jump in and try something, and if that doesn’t work adjust until you find what works for you.
Fellow business owners may be able to provide some guidance and share things that work for them. And there are lots of organizing gurus out there who are more than willing to help. But the fact is that they may not work the same way as you do, and what is perfect for them could be a disaster for you. It doesn’t hurt to get suggestions, but it’s how well a system works for the person who is using it that counts.
Organization systems are as unique as the people that use them. One person might find things better when their location is determined by a specific and logical formula, and another might prefer to have frequently accessed items within easy reach and file away the rest. Neither way is better than the other. It’s what works for the individual that matters.