Are you feeling overwhelmed by in inbox full of unread emails? Do you spend a lot of time doing things but find that your important projects are left untouched at the end of the day? Do you have trouble finding important papers, receipts, or notes when you need them? If any of this sounds familiar, you have an unseen enemy whose name is Chaos! Here are six powerful strategies for vanquishing your chaotic foe.



1. Spend some time figuring out what type of storage you need for your work space. It takes some fine-tuning, but every person can find an organization system that works well if they take the time to look at what they need. Invest in some hanging file folders, a desk organizer with an in and out tray, a bulletin board, a trash can, and buy a business card holder to help you keep track of the various cards you get during the week. It's much easier to keep your work space neat if you have a place for each item in your office.

2. When you pick up a piece of paper, decide what you'll do with it. Either work on it, file it, mail it, or put it in the trash. If you have a bill that you can't pay right away, put it on your bulletin board and set up a reminder on your computer to remind you to take care of it. As soon as you do, take it off the board and either file it or throw it away.

3. Each night before you stop working, take a moment to write down the six most important things you need to do the next day. Put this list on a very visible part of your desk or office space where you'll see it easily. Writing it down will keep your mind from swirling with plans and worries before bed, and it will help you focus on important things when you start work the next day. Do the items on this list first, and you'll find that things flow more smoothly.

4. Put yourself on an email diet. If you're getting mail from lists you rarely read, go no mail or unsubscribe completely. For your remaining mail, use your email client's filtering system and make folders for various types of mail. Personal mail goes to one folder, list mail goes to another, and a third folder can be used for training emails you recieve from the companies you work with.

5. Turn off the feature in your mail client that tells you each time a new email arrives. Instead, set aside a certain amount of time for email each day. Handle what you need to, delete the unnecessary junk, and then close your email program. Answering each mail as it arrives distracts you from your work and breaks your concentration.

6. Get a date book or planner. Use something that works well with your personal style. Use a print planner or a PDA. Just make sure it's portable so you can take it with you when you travel. Schedule your working time in it just as if you worked in a regular corporate office. In addition, when you get your child's schedule of school events and field trips, put those in your date book too. You can plan your work schedule around your child's schedule, so you won't be stuck choosing between a work meeting and the school Christmas play.

These strategies have a lot of power. They only work if you take the time to use them. You can do this and still be creative. In fact, you'll have more time and space for your creativity. So take a first step now. Over the next few days and weeks, you will conquer the chaos in your office and life.