Is there anyone who can honestly say they don’t feel at least a tinge of jealousy and Martha’s incredibly organized style? I feel my complexion turning a lovely shade resembling brussel sprouts when I envision perfect little spaces to hold perfectly organized items that are finished with perfectly adorable labels that just happen to be written in (you guessed it) perfectly lovely handwritten script. Especially when I then look over at my imperfect clutter of papers, sitting on my imperfectly messy desk and stare into my imperfect prop closet and try to figure out where I just put that sticky note?
This should go without saying but my productivity has a night and day different from when I’ve got it together and when I don’t. Clutter kills creativity and chaos stumps productivity. In short – organization is crucial. If I’m trying to be the photographer, web designer, receptionist, bookkeeper, advertiser, PR Rep and the janitor I need order!
It’s really easy for me to think about what pretty things I would like in my office! A flip through the Pottery Barn Magazine, a detour onto Pinterest and the ideas are flow’n! The fresh flowers, the vintage cameras and the beautiful canvases adorning the walls… I can see it all now. Isn’t it lovely?
Wait a minute, I did it again. What in the heck does fresh flowers have to do with being organized? Nothing! So how do you go from just pretty to pretty and functional? How do you actually say… ‘Yes. This space is being used to it’s utmost and is organized and ready to set me into a blaze of productivity’…. No really how? I set out to figure out this magical land of organization. Now I want you to know I’m not there yet… It’s going to be a slow work in progress.
But here is the first step that I took… I created a functionality plan. Instead of planning the color scheme or wear the cool ‘pigs fly lamp’ would go, I scrutinized over what actually would make my workspace workable…
This is my list of what I need my office to be able to accomplish for me…
1. Computer Station: Clean/clear desk with computer.
2. Reference Station: Archival disks, notebooks, client paperwork, etc.
3. Supply Station: Office supplies such as ink, paper, etc.
4. Packaging Station: Ribbon, boxes, bags, tissue, tags, press printed products, etc.
5. Prop Station: Tutus, hats, bowls, clothing, fabric, etc.
6. Equipment Station: Camera gear, projector, screen and such.
Does it sound like I have a studio space to organize all of this? I don’t! I have the extra bedroom, and that’s my office. But by creating “stations” I can start to determine what it is I really need in order to create functionality. Try it and see what you come up with. Any stations that you’ve thought of that I forgot?
So the next step is coming up with cute organization options to fit all of this stuff.
Moral of the story… Think past just pretty and onto pretty functional!
So I wrote this post over a year ago, I remember feeling so far from ‘together’ when I wrote it. I can actually say that I have made great strides since then when it comes to having my work-life organized. Mostly that is thanks to the systems that I have developed to keep everything moving in a stead forward motion. It’s not always perfect and I’m sure it could be even better but I’m happy to say that I have made progress! One of my favorite ‘systems’ has been the desktop workflow organizer! You can get it as a free download on the FB Page!
Leave a comment and share, the best thing you’ve implemented to keep your business organized! Can’t wait to read them when I get back!
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Hi Leah, I know you’re off on vaca but when you get back, maybe you can point me in the right direction of an answer to this: I downloaded the desktop workflow freebie (thanks!) but cannot figure out how to use it. I mean, I get how to set it as wallpaper, etc, but how do I keep it updated with things that I’m working on, etc. without having to constantly open it up in Photoshop and edit all the layers… I know it must be something simple that I am overlooking…
Hey Kristin… So you set it up as your desktop wall paper…. And then you have each folder named after a client saved on your desktop. Now you can move the client folder from square to square as you complete each task. This way with a quick look at your computer desktop you can see where you are in the process with each client and what you still need to do. Does that make more sense? The folders are not saved to the image they are saved on your desktop and the image in like a blank board to move things around on.
Is there anyone who can honestly say they don’t feel at least a tinge of jealousy and Martha’s incredibly organized style? I feel my complexion turning a lovely shade resembling brussel sprouts when I envision perfect little spaces to hold perfectly organized items that are finished with perfectly adorable labels that just happen to be written in (you guessed it) perfectly lovely handwritten script. Especially when I then look over at my imperfect clutter of papers, sitting on my imperfectly messy desk and stare into my imperfect prop closet and try to figure out where I just put that sticky note?
Are you ready for more? I'm determined to prove to as many photographers as will let me that you can have passion, profits and time for a great life. 
Hi Leah, I know you’re off on vaca but when you get back, maybe you can point me in the right direction of an answer to this: I downloaded the desktop workflow freebie (thanks!) but cannot figure out how to use it. I mean, I get how to set it as wallpaper, etc, but how do I keep it updated with things that I’m working on, etc. without having to constantly open it up in Photoshop and edit all the layers… I know it must be something simple that I am overlooking…
Thanks!!
[Reply]
Leah Remillet Reply:
October 3rd, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Hey Kristin… So you set it up as your desktop wall paper…. And then you have each folder named after a client saved on your desktop. Now you can move the client folder from square to square as you complete each task. This way with a quick look at your computer desktop you can see where you are in the process with each client and what you still need to do. Does that make more sense? The folders are not saved to the image they are saved on your desktop and the image in like a blank board to move things around on.
I hope that helped! If not, just let me know!!
[Reply]