Empire Life Fall 2016 | Page 14

BUSINESSLIFE: PRODUCTIVITY CLEAN DESK, LESS STRESS WHETHER YOU ARE WORKING ON YOUR SIDE HUSTLE OR A FULL TIME ENTREPRENEUR, THESE TIPS ARE GUARANTEED TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.. BY ASHLEY AUSTIN RAID IT. Start from the top. Clean out and clean off your desk of any old papers, magazines, clutter, and any other miscellaneous items. This is a new season and a new start. Anything that you haven’t used in 6 months should be tossed. GO PAPERLESS. Cut your future clutter of post its and other random sheets of paper with the Evernote app. Go paperless with as many bills as you can will to eliminate unnecessary paper and clutter. Jump on the digital subscription train with all of your current magazines and books. COLOR-CODE all remaining documents by category. For example, you can keep tax documents in labeled blue folders, Banking documents in green folders, 14 EMPIRELIFEMAG.COM |  FALL 2016 etc. This allows for a quick and easy retrieval of the documents that you need. When you need them. MINIMALISM IS THE KEY. Only keep your bare essentials on your desk (pen, laptop, coffee mug, file organizer, notebook, stapler, etc.) Always straighten your desk at the end of each day. This will help keep your desk organized and clear the clutter not only on your desk but in your mind as well. ADD YOUR GO-TO ACCESSORIES TO YOUR DESK. Now comes the fun part for a unified look, add one cohesive color to your desk for your essentials. Don’t get too crazy still only keep your essentials. Target, Staples, Kate Spade, all have nice office supplies that you can add to your look. | EL