When it comes to organization, most offices have employees that fall happily in the middle on a line somewhere between “Borderline obsessive” and “I hope there is nothing on that desk that might bite me.” At M2, Jillian Fix is one of our resident organization experts. As our client billing professional, and a Mom (4 kids, 2 step-children, and 3 fur babies), organization and teamwork have become Jillian’s mantra. Some people have been known to call her Superwoman, and many ask how she does it all. In today’s blog, we get a glimpse of how Jillian keeps herself – and the rest of us in the office – organized.
A few helpful tips for staying organized at work (and home)
- Use both a daily and master to-do list. Effectively using two lists can bring a sense of accomplishment, confidence, and can help drive motivation and positive outlook. Using no list or only one can lead to anxiety and self-torture. You may feel overwhelmed or miss important tasks. Both scenarios are contagious. Your environment is important and the simple act of having two lists can have a strong effect.
- Daily List – Your daily list is for things with the highest priority of things you intend to accomplish that day. Crossing off an entire list can be extremely gratifying. Working off a daily list gives more opportunity for that feeling of accomplishment. Your daily list should include things like;
- Daily tasks
- Projects due that day *Keep highest priority items at the top of the list so you are more likely to tackle them first
- Master List – Your master list is for ongoing tasks and larger projects. You can break larger projects into smaller tasks to chip away at on your daily list. You master list should include things like;
- Weekly/monthly/yearly tasks
- Projects for down time
- Topics or ideas to brainstorm
- Daily List – Your daily list is for things with the highest priority of things you intend to accomplish that day. Crossing off an entire list can be extremely gratifying. Working off a daily list gives more opportunity for that feeling of accomplishment. Your daily list should include things like;
- Organize your email! Each category can have a folder and a sub-folder. Use colors, flags, and auto-functions can help tremendously.
- Binders, binders, binders. You can use them to organize and separate notes, hold company information, client/vendor information, supply order information etc. It’s important to back everything up electronically, but sometimes it’s easier and faster to do things the old fashioned way.
- Take Detailed Notes. You can never have too many details. It’s much easier to pick up an old project when you have taken good notes, and they will come in handy during meetings.
- Don’t be afraid to personalize! We often spend more time at work than we do at home, so surrounding yourself with personal items that bring you joy. Family pictures, soft lighting, fun containers, or art can help you feel more at ease.
Your desk area and organization skills can inspire you, help increase your creative output, allow you to de-stress, and can encourage others to do the same. All of the positives of working in an organized environment can keep you on track with productivity, and help you foster the amazing teamwork that it takes to keep an organization running at it’s best.
If you are ever in need of an organizational pep talk, or if you have a question about your billing, Jillian is the woman to see at Motivated Marketing, where teamwork and organization come together.
A great team can make everything more efficient, accurate, creative, and fun!
For more information on great organization tips, check out some of Jillian’s favorites here and here.