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Imagine this, while working at your desk (Affiliate Link), you realize you need to go to the filing cabinet (Affiliate Link) in the other room. You have gone there at least 2 to 3 times already today. And return to your desk (Affiliate Link) to start work again. Then in a few minutes, you need to print something that takes you, yet still, away from your office to get the printout that is in another room. Do you see what is happening here? You are wasting a lot of precious time, taking away from your focus on the task at hand. Wouldn’t it be great to stop this madness? To make work life more relaxed and less time interrupted, here are six ways to reduce wasted time in your day in your office.
6 Ways to Reduce Business Stress
- At your desk, all frequently used items should be within arm’s reach.
- Have a keyboard drawer so you can hide your keyboard and mouse.
- If you have many pieces of clients’ papers on your desk, put them in bins like those below.
- Have a small filing cabinet drawer near your desk for frequently used files.
- Lateral filing cabinets are great for storing longer-term files.
- Post frequently referenced information near you for easy access.
At your desk, all frequently used items should be within arm’s reach.
Your stapler (Affiliate Link), calculator (Affiliate Link), files, pens (Affiliate Link), and anything else you need to use throughout the day should never be more than a few feet away.
Have a keyboard drawer so you can hide your keyboard and mouse.
Removing items directly on top of your desk (Affiliate Link) will free up space for other papers. The image below is from Amazon. You can click through and buy it on Amazon—I will receive a small commission if you do. Happy shopping!
Keyboard Tray Under Desk, Pull Out Keyboard & Mouse Tray with C-clamp
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If you have many pieces of clients’ papers on your desk, put them in bins like those below.
Label each client’s name on the papers and store them in the appropriate client bin when not in use. The image below is from Amazon. You can click through and buy it on Amazon—I will receive a small commission if you do. Happy shopping!
Stackable Plastic Paper Bins in Bright Colors 7 pk
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Have a small filing cabinet drawer near your desk for frequently used files.
These could be for client files (Affiliate Link) or your checkbook, or just general business files that you use often. You can even add a lock to protect those files. Safety is crucial if you hold sensitive client information. The image below is from Amazon. You can click through and buy it on Amazon – I will receive a small commission if you do. Happy shopping!
Filing Cabinet 2 Drawer, White
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Lateral filing cabinets are great for storing longer-term files.
Use them for older business files and keep them elsewhere if you don’t need them often. It can be stored in a closet or basement. The image below is from Amazon. You can click through and buy it on Amazon – I will receive a small commission if you do. Happy shopping!
Lateral File Cabinet with Lock by INTERGREAT
Buy Now →(Affiliate Link)
Post frequently referenced information near you for easy access.
Hang a paper next to your desk (Affiliate Link) that lists phone numbers or contacts you must contact regularly. If you need to reference several pieces of paper for projects, place them in folders and use upright file bins. They take up less room; you can easily see the folder project name for quick reference. If you have a wall space near your desk (Affiliate Link), try these vertical filing bins to mount to the wall and clear out even more surface space. The image below is from Amazon. You can click through and buy it on Amazon – I will receive a small commission if you do. Happy shopping!
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Wall Mount Reference Organizer, Black, Can display 20 pages of reference sheets
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As a small business owner, making your workday more efficient will help you take control of your time and reduce stress. Try it and let me know how it goes. What is your favorite tip for saving time? Please leave a message below. I would love to hear from you.
Below are some other articles that talk about reducing wasted time in your day.
How to Stop Wasting Time – Time Magazine
7 Essential Productivity Tips For A Successful Small Business – WhenIWork.com
7 Areas to Organize in Your Office Files – by us!
How to get your Business Organized in 9 Days – by us!
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