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Is Your Office Organized?

 When was the last time you got your office organized? Oh, yeah. It's been awhile since I cleaned out my filing cabinets and supply cabinet. Yesterday we spent morning to evening shredding old bills and unnecessary documents in client files, throwing out the manila files (that once held bills), recycling old files and file fasteners and throwing away useless paper material that silverfish got into. What a mess.

(Picture Left: My office)

By the time we finished there were 40 manila folders (still usable) and countless fasteners, two empty drawers of a filing cabinet, transferred closed files to plastic bins and situated in a storage closet for easy access, burned client files to disks and then we ..... cleaned our desks!

 

 (Picture to right is husband's side office)

And the results?

  • The Dumpster was A Quarter Full By Time We Finished!  (We live in a townhouse complex and we have those huge dumpsters...not a trash can....a huge one)
  • Clean and organized Office! (we have just so much room to work with for our office so cleaning and organizing periodically is a must!)
  • More Space! (closet in my bedroom had more room for shoes! Hehehe. Oh and two empty filing cabinets....woohoo!!!)

Weird how I felt a sense of accomplishment for being organized and getting rid of ONE FOURTH of a dumpster of shredded paper and unneeded clutter. (and have a happy husband who hates clutter. He couldn't thank me enough :)

Now that I'm all organized....  Okay, ready for that next client!  

                                                                   

Comments

Wowzies girl!  You are really open for business!  My office is, once again, a total mess.  Yikes!  Maybe you'll inspire me!
Posted by Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors) about 1 year ago
Sally you would not want to see my office.  You see I follow the theory of one of my friends who use to have a sign on the side of his desk that said "a clean desk is a sign of a sick mind" .............. LOL
Posted by George Souto (McCue Mortgage) FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages CT. about 1 year ago

Hi Sally,

I just did this a couple of weeks ago, I shredded everything! But I did feel the same sense of accomplishment when I finished. Now keeping on top of it will be the challenge. :)

Posted by Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate (Century 21 Associates Realty) about 1 year ago
Sally,  I am drowning in paper.  I am so overwhelmed by it that when I go into my office with the intention of just getting down and dirty, or just started, I look at my piles, turn around and go do something else.  I get what must get done finished but can't seem to make a dent in the piles. 
Posted by Susan Mangigian, West Chester PA Realtor RE/MAX Preferred, ABR (RE/MAX Preferred, West Chester, PA, RS152252A) about 1 year ago

Aloha Sally,

Looks great. Mine is never as organized as I would like and at it's worst I waste too much time just looking for things. We're pretty good at systems here, but we could always use improvement. Thanks for the reminder!

Posted by Orange Co. Real Estate~Lynda Eisenmann, Broker-Owner, CRS,CRB,GRI,SRES, Brea, CA (Preferred Home Brokers) about 1 year ago
I have tried to go paperless with a tablet computer and keeping electronic file but the paper keeps coming from others. Trees are falling all around me HELP.
Posted by Terry Bonnie Westbrook Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Real Estate (Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner) about 1 year ago
I keep meaning to scan everything and move it all into my computer... but I keep NOT doing it.  I hate paper.  Maybe soon I'll hate it enough. 
Posted by Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty) about 1 year ago

Woo-Hoo: It's always a good feeling to get our office (or any room) organized. I have to get mine done...soon.

 

P.S. Love your office furniture!

Posted by Kat DeLong, REALTOR, Lake Arrowhead CA, Lists & Sells Real Estate, DRE# 01235311 (RE/MAX LAKESIDE in Lake Arrowhead CA, CDPE) about 1 year ago
I always get myself organized at the end of every year, it makes it easier to start the new year.
Posted by Anthony Stokes-Pereira (Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty) about 1 year ago
OH, you just make me sick!  :)
Posted by Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV MLS - Sun City Mesquite - Buyer Representative (ERA - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale) about 1 year ago
Sally, ya know I once saw a video about how a messy office is better...I believe it was on Chris Elizabeth Griffiths blog here on activerain...Personally, I reach my boiling point where something has gotta go and then I break down and clean it all out!    
Posted by Jeremy Blanton (210 Consulting~ Social Media Advisors) about 1 year ago
My office at the office looks great.  It's my home office where you find everything out of place.
Posted by Nashville Short Sale Specialist - Rhonda Burgess (Southern Living Realty Partners) about 1 year ago
Hey there....great looking office....I will just look at your picture and pretend mine is as neat... LOL :)
Posted by Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) about 1 year ago
My wife pruged my files a year ago when she realized I still had files going back nearly 30 years.  She literally burned up one shredder.
Posted by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
Thank you Randy, now I don't feel so bad.....:)
Posted by Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) about 1 year ago
Patty: I went through cleaning before the new year...but not to the extent of buying another shredder because the old model started to overheat! We have over 500 dollars worth of shredders in the house now....geez.  So, does this inspire you?  It's inevitable that years of paper crap will cause trouble...if not clutter. Get er done!
Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
George: And so the reason I clean mine lol!  I have no shame...I have a sick mind...haha!
Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Suzanne; I vowed last night to keep up with it. That was ridiculous!

Susan: And so the reason we get the husband involved :)  Mine just hates clutter so when I started he was so estatic that he jumped in 'willing' to help lol!

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Lynda: I changed the location of my shredder and under the desk drawers so I'm all confused today lol...but at least I can see things now :)

Terry: I too...felt so bad for the waste of paper...all the stuff I shredded was boxes of reams of paper. What a waste!  I vow to stay on top of my burning ..

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

It feels great to purge! We remodeled our office a few years ago. Basically about 70 agents had to work out of their homes for a month. It was amazing everything that we found. Some agents had cleaned out there boxes, etc. for 20+ years. They had old MLS listings cards, brochures for businesses long gone, and flyers for homes with prices that we haven't seen since the 80's.

Posted by Geoff Scowcroft (Coldwell Banker) about 1 year ago
Lane: You will...believe me...it took me a few years...but I just needed more room...and needed to declutter. We also back up our NAS because I just can't seem to get all the burning done.
Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
Kat: Our office is where we spend the majority of our time so we really needed that extra space....now to go fill it up lol!
Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
Anthony: I did that...now it was time for EVERYTHING lol!
Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Virginia: LOL!  I made myself sick yesterday....we're all pooped, tired, drained....and yet had to work full days AT the office today :)

 

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Jeremy: Oh, depends on what 'messy' means. I can't do where it takes me too long to find something. Nope...gotta have neat. :)

Rhonda: That was the case with me....until yesterday ...woohoo!

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Kathy: Silly...now I have to go watch tv.

Randy: I overheated my shredder so hubby went out and got me a super duper lights for everything ....and it went through the rest ...no problem. I love my shredders!!!!

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

It feels wonderful to organize everything. Then, all of a sudden, it all starts to pile up again!! Ugh!!!!!! I'm running my business AND my husband's construction business out of my home office.  I have a small file for him close to me and the rest of his items are on shelves in his office - next to mine.  Yes, I work 7 days a week (no kids). Once in a while we'll take a few hours to do something fun together.  But, in the meantime, it's work. Shredding is a wonderful thing and the shredder gets emptied twice a week. The ScanSnap S510 by Fujitsu is a lifesaver. We hardly fax anything anymore. We scan and e-mail.

It's still a challenge to get to everything on my desk each day - especially when I have to leave all of a sudden to show property or meet a new client. But, our goal is to retire early. Hopefully, we'll get there early and not die first from working so hard!

Kudos to your fantastic organized office!

Posted by Linda Lane-White (Keller Williams Realty) about 1 year ago

Kathy: One day...you'll have an office here...boy will you be lucky with me and Randy in your office harassing you all the time ....lol!

Geoff: Funny, our office is always pretty clean...this is my home office....and it filled a quarter of a dumpster! Trash from old...has to go away. Purging ...the way of the future :)

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
Sally, my desk at my office is pretty clean & organized, at home not so much ~ partly because I don't have the luxury of a separate space of my own at home.
Posted by Joddie Roberts - Your Spokane Realtor - Spokane, WA (Coldwell Banker Tomlinson) about 1 year ago
When I was a kid I would have just called you "Smarty Pants." Well, maybe I am still a kid. I'd never be able to get any work done in an office like yours. I'd be afraid to move a thing!!!! You GO girl!
Posted by Anonymous about 1 year ago

Sally - well now I am motivated. It's on the list but business keeps interfering. And we never get that rainy day that is good for stying inside to clean!

Jeff 

Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 (RE/MAX Moonlight Beach (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)) about 1 year ago
Sally - There is just so much paper in this business!  I've always been very organized, but I have to tell you this is one profession where the paper takes over if you lose your focus on it.  I've got a foot high pile to go through, but don't know exactly when I'll get to it.  I need a holiday, when there are no phone calls and then just plow through it (Mother's Day may be the day, after I visit my mom).
Posted by Gail Robinson, GRI, e-PRO - Black Rock Connecticut Real Estate (William Raveis Real Estate) about 1 year ago
It is amazing what you can accumulate in a short amount of time.  I have a tiered organizer on the corner of my desk that it sort of the catch all.  It drives Kathy crazy.  Every now and again it will get the best of me and I'll clean the whole thing out.  Just think, now you have room for all new stuff. :)
Posted by Fairbanks Alaska Real Estate Specialists Jesse & Kathy Clifton 907-699-6024 (Jesse Clifton & Associates, REALTORS®) about 1 year ago
Good job. I remember the picture a while back with you sitting at your desk, with your feet and chatting on the phone. You have obviously got it all together. Just in time to get really busy again, right? 
Posted by San Diego Real Estate Voice authored by William Johnson GRI CRS e-Pro CDPE (RE/MAX Associates) about 1 year ago
Sally - my problem is that I take it from the top of my desk and cram it in a drawer and can't remember exactly where! But..the TOP of my desk looks great...my filing drawers look like I have schizophrenia! LOL
Posted by Linda Scanlan (A Fan of AR) about 1 year ago
Sally, I cleaned off my desk a bit the other day, but have a long ways to go before my office is organized and clean.  Ugh.  Finding the time to get it organized... But, I know where everything is... or do I?
Posted by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate (RE/MAX Allegiance) about 1 year ago
Sally, want to fly to MI and help. I did a little organizing on Sunday, because I couldn't find something and I knew it was in a pile, "somewhere". 
Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) about 1 year ago
You go girl!!! Hopefully one day soon I'll get motivated enough to quit talking about it and just get it done :)
Posted by Laura Jefferson (Acquire Real Estate) about 1 year ago
Sally,
Good for you and it is way past time for me to do the same but..............let's see now what is my excuse this time?  Give me a few minutes, I'll come up with a really good one!
Posted by Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist (Kingsbridge Realty, Inc) about 1 year ago
I had a guest over and put a bed in my office for them..it's still there right now and I'm using the top as one of my file holders...my wife has been asking me when I plan on putting things away...I told her soon:)
Posted by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (Keller Williams Properties) about 1 year ago

Morning Sally,

Good for you, a job well done, I hope your husband took you out for a nice appreciation dinner. If he hasn't yet be sure to have him read the comments to your post. LOL

Keeping things organized and current takes a little doing, however if one has a plan, scheme, schedule, it can be accomplished in an ongoing routine. HUmmmm!!! Did I say that!  LOL

Have a great day!

Posted by Harold (Hal) Place (A1 Connection Realty, Inc.) about 1 year ago
Sally, Good for you.  And thanks for giving me something else to add to my list of things that needed to be done.  LOL.
Posted by Bob Cumiskey, US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor (A1 Connection Realty, Inc.) about 1 year ago
It's Spring Cleaning....at my Office & my Home!  Neatness seems to have an upbeat influence...it's like Coffee for me:-)
Posted by Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans) about 1 year ago
Sally, I'm sorry to say that my office is no where as neat at yours.  I do tend to straighten it out and clean up, but then it's back to more piles within a short period of time.  But I won't let the piles grow too much, so I'm basically in a state of almost always trying to clean my office.  Go figure!!  :)
Posted by Marc Grossman, GRI - Greater Orlando Real Estate Broker (Marc It Sold!) about 1 year ago
I am drowning and can not for the life of me even figure out where to begin!! You have inspired me to get busy and dedicate a day for organizing and cleaning my office in the near future! Now that your desk and mind are not cluttered you are ready for more business...to help clutter you again! ;o)
Posted by Misty Thomas, Realtor Crosby, TX (Houston Realty) about 1 year ago

Linda: Mine piled up from December. The filing cabinets and storage I haven't cleaned in a few years :( 

Joddie: My living room is our office. We have such a small space that we have to share the Office :)

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
"Smarty Pants" anonymous person. Sorry but I lived with a pack rat mother. For the last year we have been cleaning out old THIRTY year old mind you.....bills and old papers from her house and cleaning it up. I vowed to not be like that....and my husband won't let me :)
Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Jeff: Excuses, excuses. :) It's lovely here the last few days too...no vog, no rain but a drizzle here and there....and a nice clean office to enjoy woohoo!

Gail: Yup...time to put aside a day. For us it just happened. We had an idea and ran with it!

Jesse: That's what I say!! More room...more stuff :)

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
Just one question...what is a silverfish?
Posted by Kelly Sibilsky (Licensed Through Referral Connection, LTD.) about 1 year ago
William: Got a listing appointment this am....whew...just in time eh? I'll let you all know what happens :)
Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Sally,

I noticed you didn't post this until you were finished...now, are we supposed to follow suit??? LOL, I clean as I go!!! Thanks,   Fran

Posted by Fran 'The Title Man' Gaspari Title Insurance-PA & NJ (Patriot Land Transfer, Inc.) about 1 year ago
I have a wife who is a neat freak, one thing out of place and she right on top of it. Sometimes, it drives me crazy because I leave something in a spcecific place and then it's gone. But, overall she keeps it neat and organized, thankfully, or I would be a mess.
Posted by Patrick Lambert ( Hawaii Real Estate Expert ) (Century 21 All Islands) about 1 year ago

Linda: I keep mine in files...and a little pile sometimes...it's just those files were full of old bills and crap from client files (duplicates and such) that it needed to GO :) How's hubby?

Brian: I bet you don't lol!

Missy: Seems I have people who want me to do their organizing....I am pretty good at it anyway :) 

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Laura: I didn't talk until I was ready LOL!  Otherwise I would have had hubby constantly asking....okay, he constantly asked anyway :)

Cynthia: Too funny! Don't we all at one time or another...procrastinate?  Ah, but we'll get better at it won't we?

Neal: You're too much....yeah, at least on a bed (not occupied) you can spread it all out lol!

Gotta run...be back to answer the rest ...thanks!

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
Hal: Thanks for your input. Gary knows he did good ...he helped me! Yeah...I know what you mean..it's an ongoing thing...but old files needed a makeover :)
Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

 

Sally

 

I like to think I can get orgainzed anywhere close to  WIFI.

And coffee.

...I guess I really don't like doing dishes, so I keep my office out of my home!

 

Steve

 

 

 

Posted by Obeoman Glade Jones (www.obeo.com) about 1 year ago

Bob: You're very welcome!

Jason: That's right...you're part of the family :)

Marc: I have to every couple of months...but this "in depth" stuff I have to do more often!

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Missy: Went to a listing appointment this am.....and will be signing next Tuesday....they have to clean up and declutter a little bit...but hey....look what happens when I declutter!

Kelly:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverfish  They were in my bubble manila envelopes I had in my supply cupboard.  Not many...but disgusting enough to throw them all out and got a plastic bin to store paper products.

 

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
Before real estate, I was the most organized person.  Now I get so much information, papers, invitations and magazines that being organized is a constant job.  Thank goodness for being able to recycle.
Posted by Karen Gentry>>Charlottesville, Virginia Real Estate Professional (RE/MAX Excellence-Charlottesville VA) about 1 year ago

Patrick: I'm not a neat freak...but I am pretty organized and clean. When something is out of whack...I attack lol!

Steven: My office is in my home...and I have a desk at the office.... but no matter where I am....I want a clean working environment :)

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
Sally, I had to read this post about organizing the office and especially my desk which gets more cluttered each day. I MUST attend to it. Thanks for the encouragement.
Posted by Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty) about 1 year ago
Sally, It feels so GOOD to declutter and get organized....and opens the way for new business to come in.  I'm willing to bet you'll see some VERY soon :)
Posted by Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island & New York (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City) about 1 year ago

Karen: I'm just glad I have two shredders now....my hubbie can help :)

Carole: No kidding. I did have a listing appointment today!

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
my home office is my sofa or the dining room table - I have one upstairs but I don't like to be up there away from the kids.  Our brokerage is moving to a brand new office soon and I expect my office space there to stay organized for about two months...lol
Posted by Karen Rice | Lake Wallenpaupack | Pike & Wayne County, Northeast PA Homes (WEICHERT, REALTORS® Paupack Group ) about 1 year ago

Sally,

I'm part way through cleaning out my filing cabinets....getting rid of paper is so hard for me. Especially if it is marketing ideas, training stuff, etc....I always think, hey, I might need this some day! Blah

I'm glad you were able tackle this and wow, 1/4 of the dumpster? That's a lot of paper 

 Jo

Posted by Jo-Anne Smith- Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Region Real Estate, Ont (Brekland Realty Group) about 1 year ago

alright I am gonna clean.... I don't know if i can get it done that quickly...   But I am going to work on it!

mwah*

Posted by Desiree Daniels (RE/MAX Tri County) about 1 year ago

Karen: Mine stays clean for about one month...then I have to attack again. This time was a doozy though. Filing cabinets and storage cabinets can sure accumulate :)

Jo: I feel bad for all that paper.

Dez: Tell Al to help you....tell him Gary helped just to get his space back too.

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago
Sally, I had to get my office cleaned.  I was expecting an out of town guest and I wanted him to be able to use my office while he was here.  Sooooo, before Tom Plant arrived in San Antonio from CA to attend the Texas Active Rain Gathering, I took an entire day and cleaned and organized my office.  Papers are beginning to pile up again so before it gets all messy again, I need to take a couple of hours and file and shred. 
Posted by Judi Morgan, San Antonio, TX Real Estate (Realty Executives Alamo) about 1 year ago
Judi: I think I'm going to set aside time each week to keep it up...this was wayyyy tooooo much :)
Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Sally:

Great job!

My home office is completely organized.  My office-office is getting there!  It will be a well oiled machine when I am finished with it.

Posted by Jessica Wynn Horton (Jessica Horton & Assoc.) about 1 year ago

Jessica: A well oiled machine....sounds good to me!  Staying on top of things sure makes life easier. My husband told me about one company he went to do work at and the guy had a foot high pile of papers covering his whole desk. The next time he went it was half cleared. And underneath ....the wires were covered with dust mites...okay, yuk.

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

My daughter describes me as OCD - I am VERY organized - to the point that if I actually misplace something (it has happened once or twice in my life) I totally freak out!!!! It is just something I don't do!

It drives my kids NUTS!

Posted by BarbaraJo's Blog - Clearwater and Pinellas County Florida Real Estate - (Charles Rutenberg Realty) about 1 year ago

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