I hate Spring. Before you come after me with pitchforks and torches, I know I’m in the minority here. I know I am supposed to look forward to the beauty and rebirth of the blah, blah, blah, but I just don’t get it. To me, Spring is a time of allergies, higher humidity, tax season woes, and the realization that despite what my neighbor’s lights say, Christmas is over. But, it is also a good time to take inventory and do some spring cleaning!
If you know me at all, you know that I am a neat freak. While never diagnosed as Obsessive-Compulsive, I’ve been told that I have “tendencies”. Not enough to be debilitating, but just enough to keep things organized. So, in order to put my disfunction to work for you, let’s hit three areas to work on to keep you running in top shape.
1) Your Computer (Mac)
Over time, your computer gets so clogged with all kinds of cruft, broken links, and general ickiness that it regularly needs a good sweep. To that end, I give you CleanMyMac 2. This lovely application will quickly scan your system and remove unnecessary cached files and broken links. It even optimizes your iPhoto library. I run it regularly, and I usually gain about 500mb of free space each time. Not too shabby. If you want to go even deeper, look at Onyx. It optimizes things I had never heard of before, and gives you several customizable options.
CleanMyMac 2 has a beautiful interface, and is very easy to use.
Onyx is extremely powerful.
2) Your File Cabinet
People have been saying for years that we will see the paperless office. Most have not achieved it, but I can tell you that for a small business, it is entirely possible. Start with a scanner (I use the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i Mobile Document Scanner
3) Your Office and Desk
Empty your trash. Take empty coffee cups to the kitchen. Get a wet rag and wipe up that sticky spot that has been there for weeks. Now, take everything off of your desk and wipe it down. As you put things back, ask yourself, “Does this NEED to be on my desk?” Brainstorm for a while about changing your setup. I have found sometimes just rearranging things on my desk can spark some creativity. Keep things minimal. I have my computer setup, scanner, printer (rarely used) and a picture of my wife on my desk. That’s it. Clear your desk, clear your mind.
She loves me so.
Following just a few regular routines like this can keep your small business office (and mind) clear for more creative thinking and planning. If you ever need any assistance, give me a shout!
What are some of your cleaning rituals that help you focus on the more important things? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to share this post with your friends!
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.