5 Ways to Calm Your Creative Clutter

Let’s be honest; we creatives need to stick together when it comes to our organizational woes. Studies have shown that the more creative you are, the messier you tend to be. However, if you’re like me, I can tolerate a bit of clutter until I reach a point where I can’t take it anymore and spend a whole day cleaning while googling ways to get my life together. Hey, we’ve all been there, and yes, most of us tend to get to this point after the chaos of the holidays. So here I am, humbly providing some tips and tricks to stay organized (and sane) while operating in the creative business realm.

1. Make It Personal

I find I’m happier and more productive if I feel comfortable in my workspace. You may work from home, or maybe you work in a cubicle, but wherever you call your workspace home, it should reflect your personality and make you WANT to work there. And most importantly, it should inspire the best version of yourself.

For example, if you’re a Star Wars nerd, let your geek flag fly and fill your space with all the baby Yoda’s your heart desires. Trust me; life is too short to be working in a depressing, sterile, boring environment. The more you love your space, the more you’ll work to take care of it and keep it organized. Caring is half the battle.

2. Seek Out Software Solutions

Automate the heck out of your business. I’ve worked with so many companies reluctant to invest in software to help them manage their business more efficiently and effectively. You’d be surprised how many businesses don’t have any kind of project management software. Even if you’re a small agency, having software that tracks time and helps you manage all the moving parts of your projects can be a huge game-changer. Some software programs that will rock your world are Zoho Projects, Liquid Planner, Asana, and Workfront, among many others. If you’re not sure or if you’re overwhelmed by the variety of choices out there, write down what features are most important and what features can be compromised when considering the right software for your unique needs and budget.

3. Ditch the Paper & Go Digital

If you’re like me, nothing creates more anxiety than paper. Sometimes I wonder how my husband and I can generate so much paper between the two of us. Welcome to adulthood…Ok, I digress. So, getting your paper problem under control is an issue everyone deals with at some point or another. Going digital, even with your notetaking, can really help cut down on the clutter. Evernote or even your good ole desktop sticky notes app can help you stay organized. What do they say, “There’s an app for that?” Um, yeah, there’s a ton of apps that can get you out of your paper rut and on the digital bandwagon. Get out there and do some research to figure out what apps will help you the most. When in doubt, Google it!

4. Invest in CRM Software

Many creative agencies have multiple clients. Each client comes with their own set of data that needs to be kept secure but also separate. To stay organized and avoid data confusion, try seeking out a reliable CRM software that will fit your infrastructure.  

5. Clean Up Your Desktop

Does your desktop look like icons threw up all over it? Well, no judgment here because I’m pretty sure that’s the case for many creative minds just living their best life. Even though you think your cluttered desktop is your “organized mess,” try to get, it organized in folders and tucked away. And more importantly, have a backup plan for all your files to keep them safe and protected in case murphy’s law hits (and you know it will!).

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Sincerely,

Anna Teal