By Sarah Middendorf
Special sections coordinator, staff writer,
Star Publications -Sauk Centre, Minnesota
Most professionals understand the importance of staying organized in our line of work. With deadlines flying all over the place, ensuring nothing is missed is key. I have been in my position — and the newspaper industry — for about a year and a half. The one thing I learned quickly is to write everything down. No matter how important, I write it down or I forget it.
Within my position I manage roughly 50 special sections throughout the year as well as write for Dairy Star. Checklists, post-it notes, and spreadsheets have quickly become my best friend. Between all of the special sections and newspapers we have I would not have been able to keep anything straight. Being able to throw away a post-it note or check off something from my list have become a highlight to my day.
Although the checklist is never ending, being able to take a task off of that list is progress in my book.
Another way I strive to maintain organization is by using a six-by-nine-inch notebook. This way I cannot lose notes due to falling on the floor or mysteriously ending up in the trash bin. The beauty of this is that each piece of paper has two sides that are usable.
For my special sections, that’s a whole different type of organization. Each of the special sections have a file folder and is stored in a two-drawer filing cabinet. A copy of any past issues from the previous 2-5 years are stored there as well as potential story ideas for the next edition.
This type of filing works really well for me and my coworkers. It allows anybody to come over to my desk and find what they need to look at with ease. As we are going about the year, if we find a story idea that would work well for a specific special section, we can print it off and place it in the correct folder.
Whether its file folders, post-it notes or spreadsheets, there are many ways to stay organized at work. What is your favorite organization method?
Sarah
Special sections coordinator, staff writer,
Star Publications -Sauk Centre, Minnesota
Most professionals understand the importance of staying organized in our line of work. With deadlines flying all over the place, ensuring nothing is missed is key. I have been in my position — and the newspaper industry — for about a year and a half. The one thing I learned quickly is to write everything down. No matter how important, I write it down or I forget it.
Within my position I manage roughly 50 special sections throughout the year as well as write for Dairy Star. Checklists, post-it notes, and spreadsheets have quickly become my best friend. Between all of the special sections and newspapers we have I would not have been able to keep anything straight. Being able to throw away a post-it note or check off something from my list have become a highlight to my day.
Although the checklist is never ending, being able to take a task off of that list is progress in my book.
Another way I strive to maintain organization is by using a six-by-nine-inch notebook. This way I cannot lose notes due to falling on the floor or mysteriously ending up in the trash bin. The beauty of this is that each piece of paper has two sides that are usable.
For my special sections, that’s a whole different type of organization. Each of the special sections have a file folder and is stored in a two-drawer filing cabinet. A copy of any past issues from the previous 2-5 years are stored there as well as potential story ideas for the next edition.
This type of filing works really well for me and my coworkers. It allows anybody to come over to my desk and find what they need to look at with ease. As we are going about the year, if we find a story idea that would work well for a specific special section, we can print it off and place it in the correct folder.
Whether its file folders, post-it notes or spreadsheets, there are many ways to stay organized at work. What is your favorite organization method?
Sarah