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2 Easy Ways to be More Organized in the Office

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Good organization is one of the areas that almost all of us could improve in. Obviously, some people are messier than others. However, your organization extends past manila folders and to-do lists. We see people working to be more organized in their homes (think the Marie Kondo craze on Netflix), but what can you do to increase work-based organization, and as a result, be more productive?

Your calendar is your friend

Your calendar represents your life, or at least your life at work. It also serves a dual purpose as it reminds you of obligations, but it also alerts others in your organization to when you’re busy, where you’re located, or what you are working on. Keeping an organized, up-to-date calendar helps ease lines of communication in the office when a supervisor or boss can quickly find what you are up to, without having to call or send an email. Whether you (or your company) uses Outlook, Google Calendar, iCal or others, you have the ability to send meeting invitations, set reminders, and even color-code specific event types.

But like anything, if you utilize it in the wrong way you may find that your work-based organization suffers. With your calendar, ensure that you are scheduling relevant items. If a meeting is canceled be sure to remove it from the day. Or, if a recurring event ends duration, ensure it isn’t taking up space on your calendar just because. Like an email inbox, calendars can quickly become cluttered if not attended to or maintained. If you miss a scheduled phone call because you had to take extra time to search through a jumbled calendar, the tool that is designed to help you could actually be hurting you. Keep your calendar organized and remain as productive as possible!

Declutter your workspace

I am sure you can think of at least one person who is that person in your office. That person may even be you. Their desk is piled high with papers and documents, nothing is filed, but they swear they know where everything is. This is just how they work best. Well, science says this is wrong. More specifically, neuroscientists from Princeton University say this is wrong.

In their 2011 study titled, Interactions of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Mechanisms in Human Visual Cortex, they found that when there is too much “stuff,” he or she had a significantly harder time being productive. To put it simply, anything not directly related to the task at hand is distracting. Your productivity drains every time something unrelated catches your attention and takes time away from the task at hand. A clear desk minimizes these distractions and as a result, drives productivity.

Keep these tips in mind and see how your new-found organization skills help you be more productive at work.

9 Things You Can Do Differently at Work in 2019

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When you think about it, the new year is a great time to make resolutions. You get to start off the year fresh, and it’s a perfect time to take initiative and fall in love with your job again! As the year goes on, New Year’s resolutions fall to the wayside but making positive changes at work can be easy to keep. A great attitude, organization, and holding yourself accountable are just a few of the many things you can do this year that will improve your work!

Here are nine ways to help you achieve more at work in 2019.

Positive Attitude

It’s always easy to say things like, “this year I’m going to be happier.” But there are certain steps we all must take to achieve this, and one of them is staying positive. At work, a positive attitude can change a lot of things for you. It can help you get along with co-workers who can be a struggle. It can help you be someone who tries to make every day count no matter what happens.

And the biggest one is it helps you enjoy what you’re doing more. Attitude is a huge part of feeling like you’ve made a difference and accomplished something. Without it, work, no matter how much you like it, can be something you dread. And in 2019 that’s not what anyone wants!

Organization

Keeping yourself more organized with work will help you in more ways than you think. It will help you accomplish projects sooner, be able to take on more responsibilities, and feel less stressed when things get busy. Being able to keep things organized well is a step that will show your appreciation for your job and your willingness to go over and beyond to get things accomplished.

Accountability

Hold yourself accountable. When you make a mistake, take the blame. When you didn’t finish a project by its deadline, or you know you will need more time, tell someone. Being accountable is a huge step that employers want to see in an employee. No matter good or bad, if you’re accountable for what you have promised to do, you will be very successful.

Take Credit for your Accomplishments

When you achieve something, help the company reach a goal, or win an award, take credit for it. Staying humble is an important part of any job but don’t let your hard work go unnoticed. If you’ve put in tons of time for something, it’s okay to be proud and show it off. If you worked hard and won an award don’t shy away from sharing it with your network. Accomplishments are something everyone strives to have. Granted, you don’t always want to be recognized for the little things. But, instead of shying away from the recognition, take credit for what you’re rightfully deserving of it.

Goal Setting

Setting goals is a great way to hold yourself accountable not only for work but for 2019. We all have things we can work on and that are weaknesses, especially at work. So, taking the time to write down the goals you really want to achieve and how you will accomplish them only helps you be more successful. And by writing them down, you’re more likely to accomplish them.

Help Others

Sometimes going over and beyond your duties can make an impact on not only your company but yourself in general. Helping others at work shows your initiative to want to make the company better as a whole. It demonstrates that you’re a team player who helps your team and company accomplish more. A great leader is one who wants to see their team succeed. So, if you’re wanting a change of pace or to really move up in your company do more than what is expected of you.

Push Yourself and Your Team

No matter if you’re the manager, team lead, or just your average Joe, you have the capability to make a direct impact on your team and your company. By pushing yourself you will help others strive to be better too. The impact you have is greater than you think, especially when it comes to achieving goals and accomplishing them as a team unit.

Step out of your Comfort Zone

It’s easy to stay within your comfort zone at work. You know what you need to accomplish and what keeps you getting a good job from your boss. But by stepping outside your comfort zone you not only set yourself up for success, but you also help push yourself to achieve more and be a better employee. At times, you can feel like your extra and hard work may go unnoticed but by doing this, you’re allowing yourself to reach your full potential. And that will never go unnoticed.

Say Yes More and No Less

When you’re in a position you enjoy and at a company you love, saying yes more and no less will tremendously impact your time there. Not only will it help you move up the ladder quicker, but it will also get you noticed by those who matter. Helping and being present to always do what you need to do even if it’s extra work is rare to find nowadays. So, if you try implementing this technique in 2019, it will surely help you accomplish and receive kudos you never thought you’d receive this year.

Starting off the new year right at work is important. It provides a clean slate for you to make improvements and it gives you the chance to really hold yourself to a higher bar. Because you will only achieve what you set your mind to. We’re wishing you a great year and we hope these tips help you be more successful at work in 2019!

A 3 Step Guide for Making a Change in Your Life

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Are you feeling stuck in your current stage of life? Maybe you feel unchallenged in your job, or are going through relationship issues. Maybe you just graduated college or want to move closer to your family (or farther away – we don’t judge!) It might be time for a change. This change could be as simple as making small adjustments to your daily life or as significant as moving to a new city or getting a new job.

Kurt Lewin’s Change Model is a three-step guide to prepare yourself for change and make it as seamless as possible.

A 3 Step Guide for Making a Change in Your Life, Johnson Service Group, Johnson Search Group, jobs, hire, change, life, work-life balance, fun, freeze, refreeze, unfreeze, new experiences kurt lewin, change model, kurt lewin change model

Kurt Lewin Chsnge Model

  1. Unfreeze

This step can be the hardest. You have a goal in mind, but no strategy to get there. And before you can move forward, you need to overcome the forces working against you.

These forces could be personal, a family member, a friend etc. or anyone else who doesn’t support this idea. At that point, you will be in a personal battle, asking yourself: “how important is this to me?” You need to know yourself and be ready to battle these forces in order to achieve this goal.

 

  1. Change

OKAY you made it past those real difficult battles. Now what? Mentally, you have figured out why you want this change and what change you want, but in this big world nothing just falls in one’s lap. You need to get out there and strategize about the best way to accomplish this goal.

What do you like to do? Where do you like to be? What is it going to take to get you up and moving towards this new goal? How are you personally motivated? Now, make an action plan. Answer these questions, and prepare yourself to make it all work. Talk with people around you and utilize your network to help!

 

  1. Refreeze

The time has come to make the change. You need to make this new idea a habit or something that will last long term. Due to all the self-reflection you have done in the previous steps, at this point you should feel confident that this will be the right decision for you. When it comes to implementing a change, it’s quite simple: take one small step at a time, slow down and think, and take the courageous step towards the goal, even when it isn’t convenient. Even when it was terrifying. Move forward. The change will happen if it’s something you really want, otherwise was it really something right for you?

 

Here’s How To Conquer Work-Life Balance, Once And For All

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Here's How To Achieve Work-Life Balance, Once And For All

Work-life balance seems to be an ever-elusive myth that only a select few can achieve. We’re here to prove that’s just not true! Anyone can get comfortable balancing their work duties with their personal agendas, it’s all about changing your perceptions and simplifying your day-to-day. We’ve gathered our favorite resources on achieving work-life balance and put them into one handy guide to put your mind at ease!

Change How You Think About Work-Life Balance to Begin With

At best, balance is perhaps an unrealistic goal: a state of grace in which all is aligned. “When you think of balance, there’s work on one end of the fulcrum and life on the other, and when one is up the other is down – so it’s like a zero-sum game,” explains Marcee Harris Schwartz. Instead, think of “work-life fit.” (New York Times)

Embrace the Contradictions to Synergize Work and Life

As Jack Welch, renowned former CEO of General Electric, famously stated, “There is no such thing as work-life balance. There are work-life choices, and you make them, and they have consequences.” In short, the best way to create a truly “balanced life” is to focus on integrating work and life into one. (Inc.)

Know Where to Draw the Line

Deciding when, where, and how to be accessible for work is an ongoing challenge, particularly for executives with families. With the plethora of technology we have at our fingertips today, it’s important to know when it’s time to shut off. (Harvard Business Review)

Decide What to Keep and What to Discard

Consider all the things that compete for your time, and decide what to keep and what to discard. “If you want balance you have to force yourself to edit yourself personally and professionally,” says Jody Greenstone Miller. (Forbes)

Download Apps to Control the Madness

Technology makes it easier for you to take your work anywhere, but it can also help you balance your personal and professional lives. These 10 iPhone and Android apps were created to do just that. (Information Week)

(Actually) Use Your Time Off to Recharge

If you’ve noticed that your self-care days leave you just as exhausted as a regular workday, it’s time to revamp your approach to relaxation. Here are a few tips. (The Muse)

The Ultimate Guide To Organizing Your Career

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The Ultimate Guide To Organizing Your Career

The internet is a wealth of resources that will help you with everything from changing your oil to developing your career. If you’re anything like me, you find yourself reading a random article that says everything you’ve been looking for. Whether it’s an insightful quote or a list of powerful resume words – you have stumbled on absolute career gold. But you can’t read it or jot down notes or memorize it because you’re commuting or you’re in the middle of a project – AH! What do you do? There are so many different ways to save and organize these valuable resources for later use, and we’re breaking down our favorites today.

LinkedIn Recent Activities

You may or may not know about this little LinkedIn trick. LinkedIn is a great place to find quality content, (especially career related!) and an easy way to view anything you’ve liked, commented on, or shared, is the “Recent Activity” feature on your profile. So when you’re trying to tell your coworker about that article you liked the other day, check here to find the link!

LinkedIn

Facebook Saved Links

I find most of my favorite articles on Facebook. (Speaking of which, have you liked our page? We share TONS of career and professional advice!) It’s the preferred method for most brands and bloggers to disperse their content, meaning it’s pretty much a gold mine, which is why I love the “Saved Links” feature for when I’m in a hurry. The one downside is that I don’t like letting valuable resources pile up in this inconspicuous section of Facebook. So, when I have some time, I go on my laptop and transfer my “Saved Links” to Pinterest.

Social Media

Pinterest

Typically known as the ultimate inspiration book for millennial women, I implore you to look beyond the mason jar DIYs to using Pinterest as an organizational tool for your professional life. With the in browser “save” button, it is by far the fastest way to save articles for later. As the Director of Marketing at JSG, I use it all the time to collect my favorite resources on resumes, interviewing, and social tips.

Evernote

Evernote is a great app that allows you to store everything in one place. It’s primarily used as a phone app, but it’s versatility and accessibility are the program’s biggest selling points. My personal favorite feature? The ability to store pictures of hard copies, receipts, etc. right alongside your favorite articles, notes, and reminders. Additionally, you can upgrade to a more robust option if you want features such as a passcode lock, search, and digitizing business cards.

OneNote

If you have Microsoft Office, OneNote is a great tool for saving anything and everything. I love it for two reasons. First, you can use it literally anywhere. You can get an app for your desktop, phone, and/or tablet, you can access it “cloud-style” through Microsoft 365. The second is that you can organize your content and notes into notebooks, tabs, and pages. This makes it easy to stay organized on the go. This prevents you from asking “why did I save that article again?”

Do you know of any other ways to stay organized in your job search or career? Let me know what works best for you!