It's no secret that being organized is key to being productive....or is it? I've walked into countless offices that are a disaster zone! When the individuals responsible for the disasters were not in the office for one reason or another, those of us covering for them were unable to find things we needed when clients call. When a client calls, they clearly need something - and there's nothing worse than needing to come up with an excuse for why you can't provide that something!
We can't control whether or not other people are organized, but we can control if we are. In case you needed convincing, here are some reasons to get organized:
Increase your productivity. If a client calls and you can find their file without a full on scavenger hunt, inquiries will take less time. If your attorney is at court and your electronic file is as organized as the physical file, you will be able to help them easier, making them more productive. Less time wasted searching increases available time to work. More time available to work means more billable time. More billable time means more revenue. More revenue means you get a paycheck, and hopefully an increase in pay!
Less stress! A stressed paralegal is never able to be an adequately productive paralegal. Can you think of any reason you would want to create a situation where you are stressed if it can be avoided?
You can meet deadlines Organization isn't just about keeping the physical and electronic copies of your files organized. It's about having your deadlines and reminders calendared in such a way as you don't lose track of them and you're starting prep earlier than later!
You can find your supplies! According to a 2012 paper entitled The Price of Disorganization in the Workplace, 87% of workers indicated a cluttered workplace decreased productivity. Keep that desk clean!
Save Money for your Firm! That very same paper which said clutter more or less means we aren't getting work done said that at that time, $177 billion on average is wasted in money when you factor in time spent searching for items and computer files. That's a lot!
Safety A cluttered workplace can lead to injury, especially if that clutter reaches the floor. I actually had a co-worker who kept her area so cluttered she tripped and broke her toe while trying to get around various items at her desk!
The reality is there is only so much time in a day. Why waste it unnecessarily searching for supplies, files, documents, etc.? Your time is so much more valuable than that! You're bound to be calmer if you aren't stressed about how to meet deadlines and locate files and related materials. You'll probably be more confident in your abilities too! And I'd like to think you will likely start thinking of more and more ways to be creative (and even more organized) if you are organized to begin with.
Here are some other articles you may find interesting. While you read these, I'm going to clean the office!
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