The Two Minute Timer – for easy office organization
Organizing your office doesn’t have to be overwhelming and time-consuming.
Got 2 minutes to spare?
Here is a great tool for easily tackling an office that has got out of control – just 2 minutes at a time!
This method is a variation of the Time Blocking technique, which is both flexible and effective for managing time and maximizing productivity. Read more about the fantastic Time Blocking strategy here.
Why use this Method?
Time-blocking can help ease you into organizing your office, especially if you feel overwhelmed by the size of the challenge. By breaking tasks into manageable chunks, you’ll gradually create an organized workspace that boosts productivity, reduces stress and improves efficiency.
How this works
People love this easy office organization method. Here’s how you can start: Set a timer on your phone for just two minutes. Surely, you can commit to organizing for two minutes, right? It feels doable, doesn’t it? Once the timer starts, walk into your office and pick up the first piece of paper you see.
Make a decision….. It’s key for easy office organization
Now, it’s decision time. You have two options:
- Keep It: If you decide to keep the paper, place it in an in-tray or filing tray for later action.
- Throw It: If it’s something you no longer need, shred it or toss it in the bin.
Continue picking up and sorting papers until the timer runs out. You’ll be surprised by how many documents you can process in just two minutes. Remember you are not dealing with tasks that the papers refer to, you are just placing them in keep or throw piles. You will work on the tasks later. For now the aim is to make quick progress in clearing space and paper clutter. The more you practice this, the faster and more efficient you’ll become.
Next Steps
During your next two-minute session, focus on processing the papers you’ve placed in your in-tray by filing or scanning them digitally.
Make it a Regular Habit for easy office organization
To maintain an organized office, regularly dedicate just two minutes to organizing. Don’t let decision fatigue overwhelm you—remember, the goal is simply to sort a few papers. These documents accumulated in your office in small batches, and that’s exactly how you’ll clear them out. When the timer is on, focus solely on the task at hand: sorting papers into “keep” or “throw” piles. Minimize distractions like phone calls or social media during this time.
You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve with just two minutes a day. Try it for five days, and you’ll be rewarded with a more organized office in no time.
Tools to help you Get Started
To kickstart your organization efforts, two essential items you’ll need are a paper and stationery organizer and a paper shredder. Below are links to two best-selling items found on Amazon:
- The paper organizer offers several shelves to easily keep your paperwork organized, along with handy compartments for pens and and other office supplies. Customers love its compact and versatile design.
- The paper shredder can handle up to eight sheets of paper at once and even shred your old credit cards. It’s easy to operate and features a viewer on the side, so you know when the bin is full.
