how to set up your workspace for productivity flow

(Gah...looking at this picture gives me anxiety! 😭)

Working from home comes with all sorts of perks, like working in cozy clothes like the ones you've slept in (guilty!), and you get to save more money (like on gas, Starbucks protein boxes, or brownie sundaes on your lunch breaks). You also get more creative control over your desk setup! Working from home is becoming the new normal.

Not many people realize how important having a dedicated workspace is; it helps you stay focused and increases your productivity.

Of course, you need to make it fun to sit at your desk for extended periods, but having your workspace well organized is critical.

Having an organized workspace saves time looking for things because you know where everything you need is!

Organized spaces create a sense of calm…

They say a cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind.

I'm always looking for easy organization strategies that I can implement straightway to use around my workspace.

Recently I came across C.O.P.E., which is an acronym for:

Category

Order

Proximity

Ease of use

I thought I'd share it with you in case it could be helpful for you!

*Allison note:* It will get a little messy at first, so prepare yourself mentally!

But I have faith that you'll get through it!!!

CATEGORY

First, you'll want to take everything out (either off/ under its shelf or out from baskets). This is a good time to get rid of or upcycle anything that's not useful to you anymore.

Or, in the words of Mari Kondo, if it no longer "sparks joy," give it thanks and let it go.

Now you'll group things by category, so think "like goes with like."

For example, notebooks, reference books, files/folders.

Next, you'll place these groups based on similarities, and from there, you'll group these into subcategories.

So for notebooks, they can be categorized by use.

I am a massive fan of spiral notebooks, broken down into different categories, such as notes on topics of what I help clients with or research and outline.

Or reference books can be categorized by topic.

I have subcategories such as coaching techniques, mindset, drawing, and tarot (you get the idea.)

That works for me, but you can also subcategorize them by color, shape, or size.

It can be any category you want as long as it makes sense to you!

ORDER

Groups of items should be placed in order within your categories.

They can be put in order by:

• size

• alphabetical order

Once again…anything that will work for you.

PROXIMITY

Having what you need, like, or use often should be closest to you.

How near you place things to you depends on the value you put on that item.

I have stickers on my monitor that make sitting at my desk for hours at a time entertaining because they make me smile, like my Master Roshi throwing up peace signs.

It may seem dumb to some people, but for me, I love it!

EASE OF USE

Items placed closest to you should be the things you use daily.

Determine how frequently you use a particular item, and from there, you can decide if it's something you need within arm's reach or if it's something you can put further away.

Frequently used items should be put so that it's convenient to use and put away when you're done.

Me, I have my jar of pens, some notebooks, my favorite tarot deck, and post-it notes closest to me because I use them daily.

Don't forget to celebrate your progress…no matter how small it may be!

ALLISON SAYS:

What I love about the COPE strategy is that it's a quick and easy way to move through the organizational process. Another thing that I love about it is that it doesn't require you to go out and buy any extra organizational tools like baskets.

I hope you'll try it out, and if you do, please let me know how you feel about the COPE strategy!!