Three office resolutions for a better year at work

Like lots of people, you’ve probably made personal resolutions for improvement in the new year. Have you thought about making some resolutions to make your office a little better? It’s not too late to implement some small changes that could make a big difference over the coming year. We’ve put together a few suggestions for you.

1. Resolve to play it safe

They say that you’ll never get anywhere in business by playing it safe. Sometimes you have to go out on a limb to get ahead. But when it comes to important business documents, you’re definitely better safe than sorry. So, as you’re doing your end of the year file clean up take some time to think about the safety of the files your business can’t do without. Step up from storage boxes or standard files by choosing a fireproof file or storage cabinet. They’ll protect both your paper and digital files from fire and heat damage for an hour or more – even at temperatures above 1500°F. And, as an added bonus, many styles are also waterproof so your documents will be safe from water-related hazards as well. If you don’t have a full cabinet worth of files to protect, consider a fire-resistant chest or file box.

2. Resolve to not break your back.

Most of us know that sitting at a desk all day puts a lot of pressure on your lower back. But did you know that sitting in a poorly fitted chair can make it even worse? If your chair is too big or too small it can actually be forcing your body out of its natural alignment, which can promote back problems. As the new year rolls around, do your back a favor and take a good hard look at the fit of your chair. Sit down all the way at the back of your chair. The lumbar support should sit in the curve of your back. If not, you aren’t getting the support you need. How about your legs? You should have about 1-2 inches of space between the front of the seat and the back of your knees. If there’s more space than that, your legs aren’t being supported and your back will pay the price. If your chair didn’t pass these two tests and can’t be adjusted to improve the fit, it’s time to look into a new chair or at least some ergonomic aids. Your body will thank you and in time your boss might, too. Studies show that people are more productive when they’re comfortable.

3. Resolve to keep things neat.

Taking the down time between Christmas and New Year to clean and organize is practically an office tradition. After all, who doesn’t love the feeling of starting off the year organized and ready to get down to work? This year, why not extend the urge to clean up past your own office? Your common areas could probably use some organization, too. Stock and straighten up your supply room. Throw away the dried up markers and broken rubber bands. Sort through that messy pile of paper in the printer room and organize it so the card stock isn’t mixed in with the labels. Making sure that everything has a clearly labeled place to call home will help ensure that your efforts last more than a week after everyone else gets back from vacation. If you need more storage space, consider using wire shelving. It’s economical, long-lasting, and can be easily configured to fit the space you have. And accessories like hooks, shelf liners, and label holders let you customize to get exactly the storage you need.