If your workspace is making you feel overwhelmed – take a step back and follow these 5 tips to create a tidy, creative, and productive workspace.

1. Organize your supplies. Consider which items should be stored where you can see them (in clear storage bins or wire baskets) and which items should be stored out of sight (in solid bins, a closet, or drawers.)

2. Give it a home. Everything needs a place; especially items often misplaced. Filing systems, shelves, and digital archives are key. Papers can be filed in a cabinet or organized and stored in binders. Different colored binders can help you visually distinguish which binders contain which items. For example, a red binder may hold your accounting documents, while a blue binder holds reference materials. Shred whatever you don’t need to save.

3. Explore the vertical. Everything does not need to stay on your desk or work surface. Take advantage of vertical space by using wall shelves, bulletin boards, and white-boards. If it can be removed from your work surface, do it!

4. Manage your time. Focus on one project or task at a time, completing one before starting the next. Use a list to keep track of tasks that must be completed on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, depending on the nature of your work. Then, tackle the biggest one first and work down the list from there.

5. Bookend your workday. Start and end each workday with 10-minutes to stay organized and in control. Set a timer each morning and take the first 10-minutes of the day to review your list of tasks for the day. Consider any urgent requests that may have come in overnight and prioritize your day accordingly. Do the same each evening and take 10-minutes before you leave and organize your space. A few minutes each day will help you maintain your organizational systems, and help you end the day with peace of mind.