A psychologist who worked her way through graduate school as a housecleaner and home organizer, Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D. knows that rigid organization models don’t work and that mess is a direct cause of stress. That’s why she shows readers how to create an organizational scheme that suits their particular way of working and moving in the office. Here’s just some of what she has to say:

Start where you are. Work with your natural bent and approach your work knowing who you are and how you like to do things. Not starting where you are means fighting against yourself, making any task more difficult.

Organization begins in your mind. Certain thought patterns can keep you in chaos and stop you from reaching your goals. Perfectionism, all-or-nothing thinking, and believing that clerical work is beneath you are some examples of thoughts that sabotage organization.

Learn how to deal with two-legged interruptions. While it’s wonderful to have work friends, you need to set limits on when and how much you interact with them. You don’t have to be rude, but it’s important to remember that you’re at work to work.

Deal with conflicting priorities. One of the most challenging aspects of working with others is when you have conflicting priorities. This can happen if you have more than one boss or if you only work for one person. Learning strategies to deal with conflicts can make you feel more in control of your workday.