Work Smart Organisation Tips

1) What: Make A Great Workspace

Why: Whether in the home office or at your company's HQ, we all do our best work when we like the workspace we are in. So take some time to set up your space, considering the furniture for office that you use and designing a great environment to work from home. Check out our page for setting up the home office for more info about designing your desk!

How: We recommend Semikolon and O-Check Desk Accessories to find some unique, original design for your work space.

2) What: Get Organised

Why: Clutter has long been known to crush creativity! Bring some order to your projects, past, current and future, and you can think much more effectively about the task at hand. 

How: Use Colour! Sticky Notes & Coloured Files and Folders for each task, based on difficulty or urgency or completion is a fast and easy system for sorting your work into manageable units. And it looks great!

3) What: Segment Your Day

Why: We all do various types of work everyday and to get the best results out of each, it's helpful to compartmentalise them where possible so you're not swapping from one mindset to another, back and forth. Don't spend all day checking back in your inbox - devote 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon to your inbox. That way you will get far more work done on the rest of the day. Block out time for brainstorm, actioning tasks and emails.

How: A beautiful Alarm Clock is a great presence on your desk, reminding you of the need to schedule tasks throughout your day.

4) What: Delay No More!

Why: Don't procrastinate! If you've got a project, get started straight away. Even if you only have half an hour to do a quick map, some sketches, some keywords or 'big ideas', once you start on a problem your brain will go to work on it in the background, fleshing out ideas subconsciously and making associations without you realising. The more time you give yourself, the more ideas you can explore!

How: A desktop notepad is an essential tool for being able to get started on ideas as soon as they come to you.

5) What: Brainstorm & Ask for Advice

Why:  A good idea loves a crowd! Diversity of perspectives not only gives you the most input to start with, it also makes sure that any project or task is done as 'completely' as possible, meaning it will be more likely to satisfy the wants and needs of every team member and department that the project affects. Even if they are different departments your work colleagues will often have ideas and tips you may not have thought relevant to your job

How: We love taking super large size formats - A3, A2 or even A1 pads! - to meetings. Make sure your team are all on Skype or easy to network with if out of the Office and have a Meeting book to make sure you nail all of the Action steps.

6) What: Think Offline

Why:  The internet is an amazing research partner but a hinderance when it comes time to think about and do something with your research! Shut down your computer, close your laptop, quarantine your iPad, turn off your phone and give yourself some time to get immersed in a problem. The deeper you can think about all of the options, the further you will see! 

How: Your notebook is your best creative partner, so find one that suits you and treat it well! You can always check our Staff Picks!

7) What: Use The Right Tools

Why: Work can be fun, heck it should be fun! Creativity comes most easily when we are free of restriction and small things like the tools you use can have a big influence! Think about the tasks you do! If you have to rule up tables to allocate tasks, make sure you've got a reliable ruler! If you have to sketch out a storyboard for presentations, have some pencils on hand! The right tools really make the process enjoyable and the way to the best End comes from exploring all of the possible Means.

How: Think about the tasks you do in any given day and where you do them. If you have a long commute, grab a pocket notebook just in case a Eureka moment pops up!

8) What: Leave Your Desk

Why: We respond creatively to our environments, and monotony in the space you work in can lead to monotony in the way you approach a problem. Finding a new environment when you've hit a block will translate into seeing things in a new way and helping un-block your creativity, so hit the cafe if you've got a cosy one nearby, head to the library if you need some quiet or work from the home office every now and then!

How:  We like to have a kit ready to go with some great tools for working on the road, in a park, at a library or wherever you're most comfortable. A fully loaded pencil case, iPad cover and A5 notebook or small Carry Bag with your favourite supplies will make the decision to find a more creative environs all too easy! And you'll actually be productive!

9) What: Seize Your Ideas

Why: As mentioned, once you start on something there is no stopping until it is completed! Even when you are not actively thinking about a task, if the seed has been planted, your brain is constantly at work in the background making all kinds of associations and diligently taking notes. However, it tends to report it's finding at the most curious of times, so be ready! 

How: Pocket notebooks and mini ballpoint pens have saved many an idea from falling by the wayside!

10) What: Keep Records

Why: Solving problems - whether of creativity or action steps - can be really tough! We recommend keeping paper records of your past successes, attempts or trials! When a tough problem comes around, reflect on the brainstorming sessions, ideas, checklists and action steps that have helped you get around similar problems in the past. This is a great way to tackle any problem quickly and effectively and is excellent motivation and encouragement to see just how many times you've overcome a challenge. It's more than you would think!

How: Portfolios and Accordion Files or Storage Boxes are neat and tidy ways to keep your past winners on hand.