Labeling to Get Organized

Have you ever had to dig through a ton of boxes todigital cameras and other gadgets...the adapters and
find a file, just because you didn’t know whatUSB cords collect quickly. Do you know which one
box it was it? Have you ever unplugged two or threegoes with which, or do you have to try a few out
things before finding the right cord? How many hoursbefore getting it right? Label each one.
have you spend sniffing the spices, just because youCords - How often have you unplugged the wrong
couldn’t tell by looking which one was nutmeg?cord? When power bars get full of similar looking
Wouldn’t it be nice if everything just had a labelcords for the computer and its accessories, it is easy
on it? Well, why can’t it? There are a numberto mix up the cords. Unplugging the computer when
of labelers available today — from desk top toyou meant to unplug the fan can lead to lost
handheld. In other circumstances, blank labels and adocuments. Put a label on the cord as close to the
black marker will do. Here are some ideas to get youplug-in as you can. If it helps, label the other end as well.
started on labeling your world:Food items - A lot of people like to put spices and
File folders — When labeling files use a broadcondiments in decorative jars and containers. How
term that makes sense to you and to others that mayuseful is this if you don’t know what is in the
be looking for the file. Put related items in the samecontainer? You don’t have to wreck the decor,
folder.just place the label on the bottom of the container.
File cabinets — Some offices can have roomsInstructions that are impossible to remember —
and rooms full of file cabinets. By labeling each drawerIn the office we had a fantastic high-quality stapler.
with the contents of what is inside and having each fileThe only problem was, every time it ran out of staples
inside labeled; you can save yourself hours ofwe spent hours trying to figure out how to refill it. Since
searching.we put the instructions on a label on the bottom of the
Frequently borrowed items — Stapler, scissors,stapler, we haven’t had that problem.
hammers, rakes...people that ‘borrow’You don’t have to go label-crazy, just label the
sometimes end up ‘keeping’ because afterthings that make sense. Make sure to use short,
time passes, they tend to forget who they borroweddescriptive words so that you know exactly what it is
the item from in the first place.you are looking at.
Electronic accessories — Ipods, Blackberries,