The financials can either enhance or significantly harm your business plan’s chances of assisting you in capital-raising process. By doing research to develop realistic assumptions, based on actual results of your company or other companies, financials can bolster your firm’s chances of winning investors. As importantly, more realistic financials will also provide a better roadmap for your company’s success.

While going through your files, be sure to pull out any documents which don't seem to belong in their existing file folder so you can find a more suitable home for them.

As I mentioned at beginning of this article, getting rid of clutter is only half battle. Maintenance is equally important, and here are three tips to help keep clutter from coming back.

1. Make a practice of handling each document only once, if possible. When you open your mail or email, deal with it immediately. If it's about an upcoming meeting or other event, copy information into your planner, then get rid of it. If it's a quick question, answer it immediately, then discard it. If you may need information again in future and it's not readily available elsewhere, file it, don't just put it back in your inbox. There will be some items that cannot be dealt with immediately. These should be noted on your "to do" list and document placed in appropriate folder on your desk.

2. Implement a "clean desk" policy where desks must be cleared of all paperwork at end of each work day.

3. Set a filing schedule to prevent a backlog of unfiled documents. You often need to refer to something you've worked on recently, and you don't want to have to sift through piles of paperwork to find it. How often you need to do filing will depend on volume of paper you keep, but important thing is to keep it up to date.

A tidy office is only one of benefits of getting rid of clutter. When your work environment is clutter-free, you'll be more productive, because there will be fewer things to distract you from task at hand. You'll be less likely to forget about things you're supposed to do, or to miss important events, because information won't be buried under a pile of other documents. As a result, you'll be more confident, appear more competent, and free up time for types of activities that will help you to become successful!

Janet Barclay, Organized Assistant, offers office organizing services in and around Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and virtual assistance around the globe.