A lack of organization can wreak havoc on your ability to do your job effectively. Whether you work in an office, a workshop, a classroom or some other environment, systematically storing your work-related items can make a world of difference when it comes to overall performance and efficiency. Having the proper tools to accomplish this goal is key to building successful organizational habits. In this article, we’ll take a look at how just adding storage bins can help you create the clean, orderly workspace you’ve always wanted.
Designate a Place for Everything
One thing organized people tend to have in common is that they have a designated place for everything. This allows them to be able to find what they’re looking for whenever they need it. Purchasing storage bins can give you enough individual spaces for storing all of the materials you want to store. For example, if you’re a teacher you can have a particular bin for all of your manipulative teaching items for mathematics, another for the homework your students turn in, and another for flashcards. This system works much better than simply stacking items around the room on tables in a haphazard way.
If you fail to make a specific place for everything in your workplace, you’ll be much more likely to misplace your much-needed items. In order to make sure you remember where all your items are supposed to go, it’s a good idea to add a label to each of your bins.
Keep Everything in Its Place
Once you add enough storage bins to your workspace so that you can have a designated place for everything and you’ve labeled all of your bins, it’s up to you to faithfully put each item in the bin where it belongs. This should be fairly simple since all you have to do is adhere to whatever is written on the label. If you find that you’re accumulating some items that don’t match any of your labeled bins, you can figure out what items they most relate to and add them to that bin.
If there’s no bin you already have that those items seem to fit into, it’s time to add a new bin. No matter how tempted you may be when you’re in a hurry, don’t allow yourself to leave an item laying around or place it into a bin where it doesn’t belong, because odds are, you won’t be able to find it the next time you need it.
Maximize Your Space with Stackable Bins
One of the best reasons to invest in bins is the ability they afford you to make the most of a limited amount of space. You can choose stackable bins that allow you to place multiple items on top of each other vertically while still keeping them organized. If you do shop work you can keep stacks of different tools, nuts, bolts, and other items stacked on top of each other in sturdy bins. Organize them according to how often you use them. The items you use the most can be placed into the bins that are easiest to reach, while you can store your little-used items in the least accessible bins. This system will allow you to store plenty of items in a small amount of space.
Choose the Right Size Bin for Each Item
Another trick to staying organized by using storage bins is to choose the right size bin for each of the items you wish to store. If you want to store papers, select a bin that’s designed for that purpose. The same holds true for tools, small office items, or practically any work-related item you wish to store. If you’re not sure what the best bin would be for a particular item, do a little research. Look on a storage supply or organizing website to find out how other people in your line of work have figured out how to effectively store the same items you’re trying to organize.
With a bit of strategic planning, you can finally have an organized, easy to maneuver workspace. Be sure to stock up on plenty of storage bins and label them. Then you’ll be able to have a place for everything and keep everything where it belongs.