201 GREAT IDEAS for Your SMALL BUSINESS, Third Edition

GREAT 160 IDEA: Get Organized—Right Now

The best way to maximize every minute is to be wellorganized. If you are one of those people who insist you work better surrounded by chaos, stop fooling yourself.

To prove my point, try tracking the minutes you spend hunting around for misplaced files or documents, either physical or digital. You'll be shocked at how much time and money your messy office is costing you. Hiring a professional organizer is one option, but prepare to pay between $50 and $150 an hour.

Okay, stop feeling guilty and try these tips for digging out:

• Schedule a weekend or two to clean up your office. If necessary, pay employees overtime or hire temporary workers and a cleaning crew to tackle the mess. Put yourself in a good mood ...