How To Organize Your Computer

Look at the desktop on many computers and you’ll see a screen covered with files and documents.It not only looks overwhelming and cluttered, it makes it difficult to find anything.

That wastes your valuable time!

Create an organization system on your computer that is consistent, logical and easy to use. Consider embracing the three tiered system on your computer too.

For example, files and software you use on a daily basis can be on your desktop. Files and software you use weekly or monthly can be saved in your “My Documents” folder.

Each folder will be labeled by what is in it and then each file or sub folder will be labeled and perhaps dated. Then, any items you only use on a yearly basis or less can be stored on an external hard drive.

This forces a quick mention about backups.

Please, please, please create a system for yourself where you back up your information, software and websites/blogs on a very regular basis. Daily is great.

Weekly is strongly recommended.

Monthly and you’re at risk for losing valuable information. Anything less than monthly will likely result in regret. Investigate online backup services and/or an external hard drive.

Action Step!

How organized is your home office?

Do you have a stack of papers that you haven’t looked at in more than a month? If so, it’s probably time to clean the clutter and create a more organized office space.

Consider using the three tiered system.

Outline what you use daily, weekly/monthly and annually.

Then create organization systems to support it.

Don’t forget your computer too! Give yourself a full weekend to do this.

It’s strongly recommended that you create your plan on paper first and then go buy the products to support your plan.

Don’t buy products and then try to create a system around them. Your money is as valuable as your time.

Your second action step is to research the software/tools to make the first system on your list a reality.

For example, if the first system you’re focusing on is an opt-in/email marketing system then research autoresponders to support your system and your needs.

Okay, so by this point you have planned your systems.

You may have purchased or created some tools to help you automate the process and you have hopefully begun to assess and organize your home office.

You basically have all the information you need to create time management systems you need to run your best business – and live your best life.