1. Clear the paperwork.

If you have stacks of papers piling up around you, try and sort them out for hidden storage. Depending on the magnitude of paperwork that you have, it might be better to opt for a filing cabinet system. CB2’s TPS filing cabinet is a nice, stylish option for smaller spaces. Additionally, Craigslist constantly has cheap, used filing cabinets for sale. If your paper problem is much less serious, perhaps a drawer option like IKEA’s Helmer is right for you. The small drawers can help separate papers that you need to access easily yet need them to be out of sight. The bonus function of the Helmer drawer system is its ability to organize all of your pens, pencils, and other tools you use constantly throughout your workday.

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5 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Clean

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7 Ways To Reuse Household Items

Glamour sought out expert advice (and stories from real women) on what makes an office romance successful and what makes it a dating disaster.

DO know the specifics of your company’s interoffice dating policy.
Make a point to familiarize yourself with any written policies your company’s human resources department might have on file. “Be very clear about what you’re putting at risk,” advises Kimberly Yorio, coauthor of The Girl’s Guide to Kicking Your Career Into Gear. “Many organizations have no-fraternization policies. You could be fired on the spot if found out, and in this job market, that guy may not be worth the risk. Also, be leery of dating a superior. “If you are really in love with your boss, start looking for another job. If you are going to make a go of a relationship, one of you will have to go eventually.”

DON’T get caught getting it on in the office supply closet.
“Just because it’s called an office romance doesn’t mean you can conduct it in the office,” says says Helaine Olen, coauthor of Office Mate: The Employee Handbook for Finding—and Managing—Romance on the Job. Although finding hidden make-out spots might sound exciting, the truth is, it can be dangerous. “Don’t have any on-desk make-out or sex sessions. I personally know of three separate occasions where couples were outed by the cleaning staff who walked in on their ‘meeting,’” says Yorio. Chances are good that you’ll get caught and your job (and reputation) could be on the line.

DO tell your boss first.
Before you tell your coworkers about your office affair, tell your boss. The last thing you want is a rumor passed along at the staff holiday party. Once you are in a serious and committed relationship and ready to let people know, schedule face time with your boss to discuss what’s going on. “DO go into your boss’s office with a simple acknowledgment that you and your coworker are dating, but DON’T ramble on about the details of your love life for five minutes,” says Olen. Keep it short and sweet, and demonstrate your professionalism regarding the topic.

DON’T flirt during corporate functions.
Although it might seem like everyone is a little more relaxed during corporate retreats or on business trips, remember that “whatever you do offsite will always be remembered onsite,” says Friedman, “and any inappropriate behavior could impact future promotions, raises and even recommendations.”

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(From BlackDoctor.org) — Sitting around in an office all day can be a real drag. If you let it, it can suck the energy right out of you. Or, you can take advantage of your workspace to put pep in your step and become more productive than ever.Your office-where you spend 30% to 50% of your waking hours-can work for you or against you, depending on how you use it.

The most effective way to fight low energy is with a heavy dose of thorough stretching, proper breathing, and good posture. There are plenty of power boosters all around you. You don’t have to drop everything and run to the gym. In fact, there are dozens of ways you can reduce stress and increase energy-within 50 feet of the office. (No special equipment required.)

For starters, spend five minutes of mental or physical activity for every hour you spend at the computer. People who sit at desks and computers for hours on end are most prone to dwindling production from low energy.

7 new moves to tone your tummy

Get Physical

* Go to the office staircase and step up and down the bottom step (like step aerobics).
* Massage your own head and shoulders. Find trigger points of tension in the shoulders, jaw, and base of the skull. Hold pressure for 6-10 seconds.
* Take two steps back from your desk and lean forward until you’re in an angled pushup position against the edge of your desk. (This will also work against a wall.) Do a couple quick sets of incline push-ups.
* Lift 1-3 packs of printer paper in each hand. Curl them like weights or lift them over your head.
* Close your door and shadow box for a few minutes. Try to imagine a stressor while you’re punching.
* Start a pick up game of trashcan basketball! Create trick shots, or play against a coworker. A little friendly competition can go a long way.
* Jumping jacks are a simple, quick way to pump you up. Try to increase your intensity (speed) and duration (minutes) to keep it challenging.
* Go for a short walk around the office or outside around the block.
* Stand up and stretch your muscles. Don’t forget your neck and wrists.
* Lastly, try using a stress ball. Squeezing a stress ball relieves stress while strengthening the forearms and wrists for typing.

Go Mental

* Do word puzzles. Crosswords, word finds-even a jigsaw puzzle.
* Fill out a Mad Lib with your co-workers. A little laughter can improve your mood and decrease stress instantly.
* Rearrange your office.
* Switch hands with whatever you’re doing.
* Draw something. Let your mind create.
* Stand perfectly still for two minutes. Just Regroup.
* Do some deep breathing exercises or quiet meditation.
* Make an inkblot with a folded piece of paper and liquid ink. Have fun with what you see in the blot.

Staying energized and stress-free at work isn’t difficult. The key is finding reasons to stay out of your chair:

* In the morning, take as long as possible before sitting down.
* Forget the boardroom. Hold walking meetings.
* Hand-deliver mail, memos and faxes.
* Chat face-to-face instead of by email or phone.
* Use a bathroom on the other side of the building or on another floor.
* Have a lot of phone time? Buy a cordless phone and move around while talking.
* Replace your chair with a stability ball. This helps you maintain good posture, and by balancing, you’re working your core muscles all day.

Taking care of yourself at the office is just one way fitness can help you in other parts of your life. All it takes is a few minutes at a time.

Get cute right after your workout

Yes, I was that chick. *shudder*

But I’ve since grown past all that foolishness I used to engage in at 18. My husband knows his stuff is safe with me and I won’t go rifling through it the first chance I get.

But there’s one thing I don’t really budge on.

Female friends. I’m not talking about the ones that he grew up with, the ones that cemented their place before I even met him. I’m talking about running into some woman at a work function or someplace, getting her number, making calls and plans to meet and hanging out.

Uh-uh. No way…

To read the rest of this article, go to BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com. What do you think about your significant other having a platonic friend of the opposite sex?

Can men and women really be “Just Friends”?

Is it ever right to fight over a guy?

[From BlackDoctor.org]

Putting in extra hours at the job can help you stack the dollars, but it can also cause you to pack on the pounds. Sitting at a desk all day can really have an effect on your butt. In a recent survey by careerbuilder.com , 49 percent of office workers said they had gained weight at their current jobs, and 28 percent of those had piled on more than 10 pounds. Try these easy adjustments, so you can work 9 to 5 without gaining 10 to 20.

1. Stand and Deliver

We burn about 1,500 fewer calories per day than we did 150 years ago. That deficit could mean a 10-pound gain in one year. Chained to your desk? Get an adjustable-height workstation so you can stand for part of the day. Your posture will improve, and you’ll burn a third more calories. The average set up runs $350. (ergoindemand.com )

2. Dial “C” for Calorie

Get a headset and walk while you take calls. Use a pedometer to track how many steps you take. An extra 500 a day burns 25 extra calories–in a year, you could drop two pounds without changing your diet. Sure, coworkers might make fun of you. But you can laugh all the way to the beach.

3. Schedule Snacks

An American Dietetic Association report found that 75 percent of workers eat lunch at their desks at least two to three times per week. But that kind of multitasking can lead to multi chins, so minimize mindless eating by booking snack appointments in your calendar. When an e-reminder pops up, step away from work and enjoy your food. If you’re aware of what you eat, you’ll be less likely to nibble all day.

4. Lean to the Left

If you have an emergency stash of Combos, keep them in a left-hand desk drawer. Researchers at Dartmouth College found that we’re more likely to reach for things to the right of our field of vision regardless of handedness. An even better plan would be to keep fruit on your desk in a prime right-hand spot so it will be an obvious snack choice.

For four more ways to stabilize your weight in the office, click here.