• Always keep a spiral notebook, pens, and pencils by your phone for easy note taking.

• Consider using a headset so you have your hands free to do things while on the phone (or on hold).

• Get a comfortable chair on wheels so you can move around easily.

• Put a lamp on your desk for best lighting.

• Keep often used files in a stand up filing system for easy access.

• Keep your calendar on top of your desk open to the current day; or, if you use a PDA keep that hooked up to your computer during the day for back up.

• Put often used phone numbers by your phone.

• Keep a spiral notebook for writing notes – this is portable and you can easily take it with you to follow up on items during downtime.

• Keep files in alphabetical order.

• Color-code client files.

• Label the outside of all file drawers.

• Use a briefcase that opens from the top and that has a shoulder strap as well.

• Keep extra supplies in your briefcase, including your business cards.

Always have the following on hand:

• Post-it notes in several sizes

• Extra disks and CD-ROMs to back up important files

• Highlighters in several colors

• White Out

• Paper clips, staples, and binder clips

• Empty file folders and tabs to label them

• Business Cards