by Rena Klingenberg
Of course you do.
So it's absolutely essential to set up your workspace in such a way that you don't waste time hunting for things, creating useless tall piles on your desk, or misplacing important information.
You can start using a system like this anytime, but if you start out your online business with a way to keep your ideas, info, and paperwork organized, you will:
Follow these easy tips for organizing your work area, and you'll be able to stay focused. And that means you'll be accomplishing much more in much less time!
Keep a bookshelf within arm's reach of your computer. On one of the shelves, keep your online business info - a set of 3-ring binders and a 3-hole punch.
Create a separate 3-ring binder for each of your websites, and label each binder's spine with the name of its website. Each binder should have dividers such as:
If you keep this binder updated, and keep all your info and ideas for each site in its own binder, you'll be amazed at how incredibly efficient and organized your online business will become!
It's like running down the road to your success with seven-league boots on your feet.
For example - are you working on one of your sites and need to look up something (such as the hex codes for your color scheme, or your keyword list, or that idea you had yesterday for a blog entry)? Pull out the binder for that site, look up what you need, and set the binder back on its shelf.
Got a sudden brainstorm for some content for one of your sites, or a possible ebook or video idea? Write or type up some quick notes on your ideas, 3-hole punch them, and add them to the appropriate section of that site's 3-ring binder.
Also create a separate “general game plan” 3-ring binder for your overall online business.
Label the spine of this binder with an inspiring title (mine is “Success Guide”). This overall organizer for your entire business has dividers such as:
As you go through your training in this ASC Success Guide, jot down notes for yourself so when you need to refer back to something, or when you're ready to set up your next website, you can look it up in the appropriate binder and just whip right through the process.
Don't think, “Oh, I'll remember this.” With so much info to learn, apply, etc., it's almost a sure bet that whatever you thought you'd remember will seem quite fuzzy in a month or less!
Now the fun part - use 3-ring binders with pictures that inspire you so that you don't mind using them (or put pictures of your own choosing inside the clear pocket-front kind of binders).
I've got a Johnny Depp binder, an Orlando Bloom binder… etc.