One of the easiest things to happen whenever we begin doing any small organizing project is the infamous domino effect. Here are some simple tips to keep the 'small' in your project.

One of the easiest things to happen whenever we begin doing any small organizing project is the infamous domino effect. Far too often we look at a project say 'This is a ten minute job, I can knock that out right before...." Notice the word can? We certainly could accomplish most tasks in ten minutes if (there's the catch -if) we are not interrupted.

Reality is, most organizing projects while they appear to require no more than a few minutes, usually take much longer than anticipated. However, that does not mean they need to become the mother of all organizing projects. Here are some simple tips to keep the 'small' in your project:

1. Before you even begin your project, define your task. Do you want to create new tabs as well as folders to replace old and worn out ones? Will this project begin with just one drawer or do you want to tackle all the files at once?

2. Determine how much time you actually have available? Be sure to include interruptions into your calculations. When is the best day for doing this type of project? Is Monday is a slow day at the office, or perhaps Wednesdays, when the boss is gone for his weekly staff meeting?

3. Now based upon the task you defined, identify and ensure the required supplies are on hand and available for the task you wish to accomplish. If need be order them and wait until everything you need has arrived.

4. Coordinate with your boss. Tell him about the project you would like to do, what you will be doing, the benefit and when you expect to be finished. Then agree upon a mutually

5. Project day: Retrieve all needed supplies and resources and bring them to your work area. Having all the essentials on hand makes better use of your time and energy rather than constantly having to go back and forth to the to supply room.

6. Break your task down into smaller manageable ones. For example, rather than remove all the folders and make 300 new folders and labels at once, take a manageable amount - usually one hand full at a time is good.

7. Develop a system and stick to it. This way if you are interrupted you can step away, attend to whatever needs to be done at that particular moment and return right back where you left off.

8. Don't get side tracked from your original objective. If during the project another area surfaces that could use a little organizing, resist the temptation to switch gears and try to combine that area into this project. Jot it down for another slow day at the office.

9. Once you have completed your project, share with your boss any significant changes that occurred as a result.

10.( Now here is the part that only takes ten minutes to do *wink*) When your done you are done! So be sure to put all the supplies back in the supply room and you are all set for the next 'small' project.

About the Author

Yvonne A. Pouliot, of ProAdvantage OrganiZette, a Dallas, Texas-based consulting group, helps individual entrepreneurs and small businesses develop business plans, marketing strategies, and process and project management systems, as well as the essential managerial and organizational skills needed to excel in today's business community. For additional information, call (214) 561-6763 today.