When trying to create order within your workspace, a good place to start is with developing a colour code system to help keep your notes, files, appointments, etc all organized. Spend less time trying to decide how to organize something at the time, by doing just a bit of preplanning ahead so you will gain a tremendous amount of time in the end.
For example, you can use a colour coding system on such every day tasks as:
- Selecting file folder colours – assign colours by categories and/ or departments
- Creating your to do list on your calendar – for example use red for due dates, blue for brainstorming, green for budgeting, pink for social events
- Taking notes – colour coding notes helps your brain to make connections previously overlooked
- Sorting through emails – assign colours by sender or subjects to quickly identify what needs attention
To get started, let’s first understand the psychological properties of colours in order to help you decide which colours to use in your new colour coded organization system!
RED
- Associated with: Energy and Power
- When to use: Alert coworkers of urgent information
ORANGE
- Associated with: Luxury, wisdom and wealth
- When to use: New or long-term projects that focus on the future, or improving your business
YELLOW
- Associated with: Hope, happiness and positivity
- When to use: Production tasks or to communicate new ideas
GREEN
- Associated with: Stability and healing
- When to use: Financial tasks and environmental initiatives
BLUE
- Associated with: Loyalty, intelligence and focus
- When to use: Brainstorming, presenting and networking
PURPLE
- Associated with: Royalty and luxury
- When to use: Creative tasks
PINK
- Associated with: Compassion and love
- When to use: Personal labels and special occasions
BLACK
- Associated with: Prestige and power
- When to use: To make other colours stand out and for formal events
WHITE
- Associated with: Purity, success and perfection
- When to use: Marketing tasks, big meetings and announcements
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