The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered and dusty, but obviously used and loved. I toured the aisles and backrooms with storeowner and publisher Britton Trice. Celebrity book signings and individualized customer service are obviously major factors in the success of the store. File after file with details of book parties past. They mail out about 200 autographed Anne Rice books everyday! Piles of papers, some of them back to 1984, and announcements of summer reading programs and travel opportunities for the summer past told the tale that getting rid of things was obviously not his forte! The front counter and the shelves beneath were covered with bits of paper, containers of various sizes containing a variety of items ? most of them identifiable.
In addition to books for sale, there were books to be signed by frequently appearing authors, books to be returned because of damage, books being held for customers, unwanted or old editions of books to be donated to charity, and various other items to be returned to their rightful owners. Walls were lined with posters ? signed and unsigned. Tired and unused display cases were scattered throughout ? they might be useful someday?
1. Put like items together ? e.g., office supplies (organized by type), forms, take-out menus, tourist information, first-aid supplies, party supplies, tools, etc.
2. Find a container or space (shelf, file) that will hold the largest amount of each item to be kept.
3. Choose a container that is easy to use ? e.g., no lid, easy to open.
4. Locate the container where people are most likely to use the items.
5. Label the container clearly.
6. If the container becomes too full, clean it out, or get a larger container. A "place for everything" is the key to organization in a busy environment such as this bookstore. Then "everything in its place" can happen from time to time with relative ease.
Identifying routine things easily delegated, such as checking for outdated signs, updating photo albums, and posting cartoons and other items of interest, will simplify the maintenance of the shop.
A card table sitting in front of two bookshelves positioned at right angles created a bottleneck for postponed or ignored decisions. Replacing it with a circular table in the middle of the room could improve flow of traffic, eliminate unnecessary clutter, and perhaps invite customers to browse longer. Six boxes for required tax records will make "one in, one out" a simple transition, and will streamline the beginning of the New Year.
Finally, remember that clutter is postponed decisions ? you have only three choices: File, Act, or Toss!
? Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.productiveenvironment.com
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carStaying organized can be a constant battle. The following organizing... Read More
When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More
The following procedures will insure an organized and well run... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
Light, Work, and YouWinter is here-and with it, short days,... Read More
In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to... Read More
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have... Read More
Have you ever heard that having a cluttered home can... Read More
1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
(This is the second in a series of three articles... Read More
1. A calendar is an essential organizing tool ? start... Read More
Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More
There is nothing worse then spending ten minutes looking for... Read More
Does Your Present Internet Filing System Work?Do You Really Know... Read More
Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More
The summer is flying by for Cindy and her family.... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start... Read More
Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are... Read More
How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind.... Read More
After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
Getting Things Done (GTD), is a productivity methodology designed by... Read More
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care... Read More
Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More
Take time to declutter this summer...Writing can certainly consume the... Read More
What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More
An organized living lifestyle can cause you to weed out... Read More
Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals.... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More
Keeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
Technology has given us the tools to reduce routine tasking,... Read More
Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |