Pajamas, Pacis & Projects – OH MY!

The key to a successful business is organization!  I know it’s a bummer, but how can you sell a product, service, or even yourself – in complete and utter chaos?  Granted, there are those who seem to thrive in disorder, but I bet they’d be downright business phenoms if they gave themselves a chance in an orderly environment.

What’s your prime clutter area(s)?  Well for me, my desks are it!  I can clutter a desk faster than a baby can fill a diaper – so you know how fast that is!  But one of my secret weapons is an easy file system and some great office tools.

Here’s one:

Instead of using manila folders within hanging file folders, I purchased the accordion A-Z and 1-30 folders.  They work awesome!  I did an inventory and wrote down all of the subjects of each of the folders I had.  If I needed to consolidate I did that, if I needed to purge I did that too and the result was a list of things to file, like: Telephone Bills (1), Biz Credit Card (2), Cell Phone Bill (3), etc.

I then made a master list to match my accordion folders and put the items in the order I felt made the most sense.  I have two A-Z folders and three 1-30 folders and they hold everything neatly and orderly.  All five lists are on a single sheet and I have three (3) copies so they’re easy to find for filing.  Each list has room for additions and I update my list via computer once or twice a year.

I have one for household bills, another for biz stuff (accounting/computer info), one for just writing stuff (ideas) etc., and the last for family specific items.  It then got the expandable folders for ALL of my manuals - appliance, electronics, and furniture specific items.  It’s such a cinch to find a manual, or anything else – makes me wish I’d done it years ago!

There is no single answer for s successful filing system.  The key is to develop a system that’s easy enough to actually use and helps you keep your work area ready for you to use it!

So, what’s your secret filing weapon?

You know the saying, “Behind every good man is a woman?”  Well, ain’t it the truth!  I keep wondering who’s behind the woman?  As a work from home mom I never cease to amaze myself on those rare occasions when I get the opportunity to sit back and look at what I accomplish each day.  Three meals, cleanup from three meals, prep for three meals, laundry, cleaning, errands, chauffeur, entertainer, peacemaker, hurt soother, nurse, problem solver, finder of all things lost, buddy, wife and oh yeah, freelance writer!   This is every day, 365 days a year – without a vacation – because those are working ones too.

I’m not complaining.  Oh no!  I’m merely stating the facts that I know every work from home mom can relate to.   I want you to know that although you may feel like it – you’re not alone!

This has led me to today’s revelation - I need to find myself a wife/mom too!  Why should the husbands and kids have all the benefits!

Kidding aside - Enjoy it – time passes much too quickly.

In case you’re wondering, I decided to resurrect my blog on April Fools day for the obvious reason…This way, if I fail to keep up with at least weekly updates, I can call it a joke!  Good plan, huh?  LOL!

It’s a heck of a time to be starting, building or growing a home-based business when you have to dole out funds.  As the economy is continuing to take its toll, us work from home parents have got to watch our dollars and cents, every and any place we can. Since we can’t sell the kids (I tried, but the Dad wouldn’t let me!), the one of the next best ways is to watch the office expenses. Printer ink one day, binder clips the next, those cute little colored markers right by checkout, (and don’t even get me started with all of the electronics) all add up! So imagine my delight when I received an email from Office Max! Office Max is typically my favorite local office supply spot. (Okay, I’ll confess – Office Max is like my own personal Cheers – you know, the place where everybody knows my name!), but I digress! Anyway, they are shredding their prices and sent a wonderful link to products that have been reduced by 50%+! So I figured I’d share the wealth – though not literally, so don’t get too excited!

http://www.officemax.com/catalog/category.jsp?catId=cat1430032&EDID=BW81ZC-9ZX1P-VLKC0P-OJCQX8-LJYRC-v1&cm_mmc=Email-_-promo-_-wk14mp-_-Hero_PriceShred_CTA

Happy Savings! Now’s a good time to stock up if you need something.

Happy April Fools Day! And for you die-hard pessimists - This is NOT a joke.