I told you earlier this season that I am trying to tackle a major office reorganization and decorating job.  I am sick of my office, it’s lack of functionality, and it’s plain boringness!

Before I can get new organizational goodies, I really need to know what I need.  Right?  So, I spent some time going through the big stacks of papers in my office and trying to sort them into some semblance of order.

#1 – I need some magazine holders.  I receive Kraft Foods Magazine and All You magazine each month.  I also, sometimes, pick up other magazines.  Plus, companies like to send me some to get me to promote them.  I keep them for inspiration on the blogs.

#2 – I need something to keep several different papers right at my finger tips, yet right out in the open!  Either a stacking desk tray, holders on the wall, magnetic strip, stadium file, or a binder with clear plastic sleeves.

#3 – I need a full sized desk calendar to help me plan future events.  I have several calendars, but now I am doing things a bit differently since BusyBodyBooks is closing!  Plus, I have the Editorial Calendar plugin on my sites.  So, I just need something to help me see what is coming up.  That way, I know when I need to start reaching out to companies.

I currently have a small cabinet to the left of my even smaller computer desk.  It houses lots of things I touch often.  For the most part, the things I need daily are on the top of it, all over my desk top, and all over the walls.  However, the things I need weekly or that I need to refer to during events (such as this one) are in that cabinet!  I took a picture:

So, I grabbed my bent-to-pieces garbage can and started going through everything in and above the cabinet.  I filled the can and organized some stuff.  I still can’t find anything and need to figure out a system that works for all the blogging stuff.  I know what I want.  I want something like the hanging file on the right of this paragraph..  I think it would be the best deal for all those papers that come in review samples, all those notes I scribble, and the things I have to put my hands on right away.  The one pictured is from Staples, but I have seen others I like just as much.  I definitely would want one that matches the other items I get for my desk.  So, we shall see.

OK, it is so much better!  I still can’t find anything, but the trash is gone. LOL! The stack on the right side of the middle shelf is all loose papers and magazines.  It is just stacked, not sorted at all!  However, after getting a bit of help and advice from the blogosphere, I know how to sort it and will be doing it soon.

Really, the whole point was, as I said, to help me figure out what type of things I need.  I am starting to get an idea of exactly what office organizational products to purchase or review, but now I need to see about getting a desk and paint.  Then, I can really start putting things together.

Want a sneak peek into what is coming?  Follow #OfficeRedo on Twitter for more tweets like this one:

Loving the Martha Stewart line at @Staples! Especially the Stack + Fit items seen here: tinyurl.com/7bvm69k! #OfficeRedo

— Kelli Miller (@momof3boys3702) April 2, 2012

According to several professional organizers, including Tracy Hoth of Simply Squared Away, I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing and in the right order, too!  According to Tracy and her trade-marked system, the first thing I should do is sort. I did that!  I told y’all I knew what I was doing when it comes to organizing.  I just have to actually do it.  LOL!  Seriously, I received hundreds of responses to my HARO request for Office Organizational Sources and as I was scrolling through them, several caught my eye (and you will see them throughout this entire process!!), but Tracy grabbed me first with her friendly approach!  I felt like my best friend was telling me how to take back my office!  Here’s just a smidgen of what she said:

If I were there helping you, the first thing we would do is to sort! I am down to earth and I believe in “real-life” organized not perfection. I have 4 kids of my own plus my business so I can relate to my clients and the overwhelm. I have a simple acronym to help anyone organize: SPASM™.  SORT, PURGE, ASSIGN HOMES, SET LIMITS and MAINTAIN. With each step put blinders on so you don’t look at anything else you have to do. Focus on just what you are doing – the step you are on.

I love the SPASM™ acronym!  LOL!  I definitely feel a bit spastic when I let my office get so far out of hand.  Yes, I am hoping to get her to do a guest post series on 3 Boys and a Dog!

OOH, random thought alert!  If you think your office is neat & organized, open the drawers and cabinets then take a picture of each part.  HA!  You would be amazed at what you can see in a picture that you couldn’t see in the room.  After living with the clutter, your eyes begin to ignore it! Trust me, just try it!  You don’t have to share your pictures.

About Tracy:

Tracy Hoth’s compassion and insight help the overwhelmed, organizationally-challenged. Tracy is the owner of Simply Squared Away, a Kansas City based company. She is a member of NAPO, Faithful Organizers and Elizabeth Hagen’s SuccessPlus Coaching program and has appeared in the Kansas City Star, KC Business Magazine, Simply KC Magazine and more. Visit www.SimplySquaredAway.com and receive her eBook “Organized…From the Car to the Bedroom” as her gift to you.

Stay tuned to see what happens next!