Organizing office supplies will make finding smaller items like thumbtacks much easier.
Locating the office supplies you need in a disorganized mess can be frustrating. Organize office supplies to avoid this problem. Organization also prevents the purchase of too many of one item and not enough of another. Whether organizing the supplies at your desk, for a small office or a large supply closet, the process is about the same. "Organize Your Office" recommends placing someone in charge of the office supply inventory.
Instructions
Desk
1. Clear off a spot on a desk. Place the pen cup, paper organizer and supply organizer on it.
2. Pen cups keep writing utensils handy.
Locate all the pens, pencils and other writing utensils in the area. Test each pen, marker and highlighter on a scrap piece of paper. Discard any non-working items. Place the rest in the pen cup.
3. Sort papers into two piles: "Shred" and "Keep." Use the paper shredder to shred the appropriate pile.
4. Sort the "Keep" papers into categories. The categories depend on what type of work you do at your desk. For example, use the categories "Bills" and "Receipts" to keep tax papers organized.
5. Write down the name of each category on a file label. Place the label on the folder.
6. Place the papers in the corresponding category. Put the folders into a filing cabinet.
7. Locate items like rubber bands, stamps, ink, thumbtacks, staples and paperclips. Sort those items into the organizer tray. Set the tray in an easily accessible place on the desk.
8. Place the desktop paper organizer on the desk. Use each slot for a different type of paper. Place labels to indicate each purpose.
Office
9. Clear off one desk to use as an organization spot.
10. Clear off one desk in the office at a time. Throw away all trash, dried-up pens and shred unnecessary papers. Place items specific to that desk on the cleared surface. This prevents items from getting lost or mixed up.
11. Gather all the writing tools, staplers, hole punches and other small tools together. Sort them out equally between the number of desks. Place all tools in pen cups or tray organizers. Place on each desk.
12. Place a paper organizer on each desk. Have the person who works at that desk sort his papers into categories.
13. Write down the name of each category on a file label. Put labels on folders. You may have to make sub-folders for each category. For example, the "Claims" folder may need additional folders for each year. Place the papers in the corresponding category. Put the folders into a filling cabinet. If you have multiple folders for one category, use clearly marked dividers between categories.
Supply Closet
14. Empty the closet. Have a trash bag nearby to throw away old writing utensils, damaged supplies and other trash. Pile all like items together. For example, place all writing utensils together.
15. Write a label for each type of item and place it in a plastic storage container. For example, "Pens and Pencils" or "Folders." Place items into the appropriate bin.
16. Stack the items in the closet, with labels facing out.
Tags: writing utensils, desk Place, each category, paper organizer, papers into, category file, category file label
