<p><b>An idea is a connection between two concepts.</b></p><p>Steve Jobs said that creativity is just connecting things. When you understand that and think of ideas in that way, the process of generating ideas will seem a lot less intimidating.</p>

What ideas are

<p>Select the area that you would like to generate the idea in.  Define it clearly and be as specific as possible.</p><p><i>Is it blog post ideas, local business ideas?</i></p>

Step 1. Choose an area

<p>Look for surprisingly successful things. <b>Look for the things that look out-of-place in the area that you've chosen, but are performing above expectations.</b></p>

Step 2. Find the unexpected successes 

<p><b>To generate great ideas, look around for clues. </b></p><ul><li>You can deduce the reasons why something is successful by asking the relevant people why they like it.</li><li>If it is an unexpectedly successful blog post, read the comments. </li><li>Observe. People often are not able to accurately articulate why they like something.</li></ul>

Step 3. Understand why they succeed

<p>Set roughly 45 minutes aside, where you only <b>write down ideas about the area that you have chosen. </b></p><p>Don't worry about how bad the ideas seem. Just write them down. Do this for about 10 days.</p>

Step 4. Have an idea quota

<p><b>Pick out the best ideas and start analyzing them.</b> Eliminate until you have about 10 ideas left.</p><p>Use the great ideas and see how they perform.</p>

Step. 5. Pick the best ideas

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<p>You may think that you don't have time for office organization, but if you really knew how much time that disorganization cost you, you'd reconsider.</p>
<p>Rearranging and moving piles occasionally doesn't count. Neither does clearing off your desk, if you swipe the mess into a bin, or a desk drawer.</p>
<p>A relatively neat and orderly office space clears the way for higher productivity and less wasted time.</p>
<p>Organizing your office doesn't have to take days, it can be done a little at a time. In fact, maintaining an organized office is much more effective if you treat it like an on-going project, instead of a massive assault.</p>
<p>So, if you're ready to get started, the following organizing tips will help you transform your office into an efficient workspace.</p>
<h2>1. Purge Your Office</h2>
<p>De-clutter, empty, shred, get rid of everything that you don't need or want. Look around. What haven't you used in a while?</p>
<p>Take one area at a time. If it doesn't work, send it out for repair or toss it. If you haven't used it in months and can't think of when you'll actually need it, out it goes. This goes for furniture, equipment, supplies, etc.	</p>
<p>Don't forget about knick-knacks, plants (real or artificial), and decorations - if they're covered with dust and make your office look shabby, they're fair game.</p>
<h2>2. Gather and Redistribute</h2>
<p>Gather up every item that isn't where it belongs and put it where it does.</p>
<h2>3. Establish Work "Zones"</h2>
<p>Decide what type of activity happens in each area of your office. You'll probably have a main workspace (most likely your desk,) a reference area (filing cabinet, shelves, binders,) and a supply area (closet, shelves or drawers.)</p>
<p>Place the appropriate equipment and supplies are located in the proper area as much as possible.</p>
<h2>4. Close Proximity</h2>
<p>Position the equipment and supplies that you use most within reach. Things that you rarely use can be stored or put away.</p>
<h2>5. Get a Good Labeler</h2>
<p>Choose a label maker that's simple to use. Take the time to label shelves, bins, baskets drawers. Not only will it remind you where things go, but it will also help others who may have a need to find, use, or put away anything in your workspace.</p>
<h2>6. Revise Your Filing System</h2>
<p>As we move fully into the digital age, the need to store paper files has decreased.	</p>
<p>What can your store digitally? Are you duplicating files? You may be able to eliminate some of the files and folders you've used in the past. If you're storing files on your computer, make sure you are doing regular back-ups.</p>
<p>Here're some storage ideas for creating a smooth filing system:</p>
<ul>
	<li>
<strong>Create a meeting folder</strong> - Put all "items to be discussed" in there along with items that need to be handed off, reports that need to be given, etc. It'll help you be prepared for meetings and save you stress in the even that a meeting is moved up.</li>
	<li>
<strong>Create a WOR folder</strong> - So much of our messy papers are things that are on hold until someone else responds or acts. Corral them in a WOR (Waiting on Response) folder. Check it every few days for outstanding actions you may need to follow-up on.</li>
	<li>
<strong>Storage boxes</strong> - Use inexpensive storage boxes to keep archived files and get them out of your current file space.</li>
	<li>
<strong>Magazine boxes</strong> - Use magazine boxes or binders to store magazines and catalogs you really want to store. Please make sure you really need them for reference or research, otherwise recycle them, or give away. </li>
	<li>
<strong>Reading folder</strong> - Designate a file for print articles and documents you want to read that aren't urgent. </li>
	<li>
<strong>Archive files</strong> - When a project is complete, put all of the materials together and file them away. Keep your "working folders" for projects in progress. </li>
	<li>
<strong>File weekly</strong> - Don't let your filing pile up. Put your papers in a "To File" folder and file everything once a week.</li>
</ul> 
<p>Learn more tips on organizing your files here: <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/say-goodbye-to-your-filing-tray-forever.html">How to Organize Your Files for Better Productivity</a></p>
<h2>7. Clear off Your Desk</h2>
<p>Remove everything, clean it thoroughly and put back only those items that are essential for daily use.</p>
<p>If you have difficulty declutter stuff, <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/611115/a-declutter-formula-to-help-you-throw-stuff-away-without-regret">this Declutter Formula</a> will help you throw away stuff without regretting later.</p>
<h2>8. Organize your Desktop</h2>
<p>Now that you've streamlined your desktop, it's a good idea to organize it.</p>
<p>Use desktop organizers or containers to organize the items on your desk. Use trays for papers, containers for smaller items.	</p>
<p>Don't forget your computer desktop! Make sure the files or images are all in organized folders. I'd recommend you clear your computer desktop everyday before you leave work.</p>
<h2>9. Organize Your Drawers</h2>
<p>Put items used together in the same drawer space, stamps with envelopes, sticky pads with notepads, etc.</p>
<p>Use drawer organizers for little items - paper clips, tacks, etc. Use a separate drawer for personal items.</p>
<h2>10. Separate Inboxes</h2>
<p>If you work regularly with other people, create a folder, tray, or inbox for each.</p>
<h2>11. Clear Your Piles</h2>
<p>Hopefully with your new organized office, you won't <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/get-organized-with-4-ways-to-win-the-paper-war.html">create piles of paper anymore,</a> but you still have to sort through the old ones.</p>
<p>Go through the pile (a little at a time if necessary) and put it in the appropriate place or dump it.</p>
<h2>12. Sort Mails</h2>
<p>Don't just stick mail in a pile to be sorted or rifle through and take out the pieces you need right now. Sort it as soon as you get it - To act, To read, To file, To delegate or hand off. .	</p>
<h2>13. Assign Discard Dates</h2>
<p>You don't need to keep every piece of paper indefinitely. Mark on files or documents when they can be tossed or shredded.</p>
<p>Some legal or financial documents must be kept for specified length of time. Make sure you know what those requirements are.</p>
<h2>14. Filter Your Emails</h2>
<p>Some emails are important to read, others are just not that important.</p>
<p>When you use the filter system to label different types of emails, you know their priority and which to reply first.</p>
<p>Take a look at these tips to achieve inbox zero: <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/ultimate-way-inbox-zero.html">The Ultimate Way to get to Inbox Zero</a></p>
<h2>15. Straighten Your Desk</h2>
<p>At the end of the day, do a quick straighten, so you have a clean start the next day.</p>
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
<p>Use one tip or try them all. The amount of effort you put into creating and maintaining an efficient work area will pay off in a big way.</p>
<p>Instead of spending time looking for things and shuffling piles, you'll be able to spend your time...well... <em>working</em> and you'll enjoy being clutter free!</p>
<h2>More Organizing Hacks</h2>
<p>Featured photo credit: <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/XLm6-fPwK5Q">Alesia Kazantceva via unsplash.com</a> </p>
</div>

The strangest thing about the process of generating ideas, is that there seems to be a commonly held belief that it is some sort of mystical process, one that is only reserved for the likes of 'visionaries' and mad scientists.

How to Consistently Come Up with Great Ideas

What ideas are

Step 1. Choose an area

Step 2. Find the unexpected successes

Step 3. Understand why they succeed

Step 4. Have an idea quota

Step. 5. Pick the best ideas

It's time to
Read like a Pro.

8 Productivity Hacks to Get Out of To-Do List Purgatory

7 Tips to Organize Your Work Space and Stay Productive

KonMari Method Organization Tips for Decluttering the Junk Drawer

How to Consistently Come Up with Great Ideas

What ideas are

Step 1. Choose an area

Step 2. Find the unexpected successes

Step 3. Understand why they succeed

Step 4. Have an idea quota

Step. 5. Pick the best ideas

It's time to Read like a Pro.

8 Productivity Hacks to Get Out of To-Do List Purgatory

7 Tips to Organize Your Work Space and Stay Productive

KonMari Method Organization Tips for Decluttering the Junk Drawer

It's time to
Read like a Pro.