Searching for lost items is one of the easiest time wasters to address. Not being able to locate what you need when you need it can result in purchasing duplicate items, having multiples of the same type of item in different locations, and spending time and resources locating your items. It can also result in purchasing things that you already have, but cannot find.

In order to ensure that you can find what you need, when you need it, consider these tips.

Organize like with like.

Items that are like each other can live together in a way that enables you to find what you need when you need it. Examples of like items are: papers, office supplies, and books on a specific topic.

Items can also be organized like with like into specific categories. These categories include items that are routinely used together like computer electronics & cords, or items that relate to a specific project, such as e-files.

Purge when necessary.

Remove unneeded, unused, or unwanted items from your space to make room for what matters. Is it old, damaged, obsolete, or rarely accessed? Discard it or store it elsewhere to open up your space for what really matters.

Make sure everything has a designated home.

Think critically about what you bring into your space. If you don’t have room for something you want, consider removing something else from your space to make room. In a pinch, you can refrain from purchasing something that will require space you don’t have.

Label everything.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. Consider briefly labeling hard-to-find or rarely used items so that it’s easy to see what’s where. You may also want to make up a ‘Room Index’ – an index that indicates which item is stored where. This can serve as a reference and takes the onus off you to remember where things are located.

Lisa Mark, C.P.O. is a productivity expert and Certified Professional Organizer. Contact Lisa if you would like to find out how she can formulate a plan to increase efficiency in your business.