My office is the place that I spend the majority of my time. The centerpiece of the office is my desk, my own mission control center. Like the mission control center of NASA, my office is adorned with many diagrams, pictures, and documents. It truly is a command center that is fully equipped to run a complex business. In today’s fast paced business environment, a well-organized and efficient office is needed to succeed. To achieve this sort of environment a person must have the necessary tools in place to meet their needs. A desk with the proper equipment, space to properly hang documentation, and a floor to organize other needed pieces of equipment.

Organization can seem overwhelming at first, but with a little patience the task is really quite easy. Start with the biggest space hog in the office which is your desk. The desk should be clean, easily accessible, and sturdy. A desk should be able to withstand the weight of your pc, monitor, and desktop accessories. It should also have plenty of storage in which to put items that do not need to be accessed on a regular basis. These items could include: notes pads, personal accessories, food, pens, pencils and much more.

Another crucial aspect of a well-organized office is to have uncluttered walls. I know it is tempting to hang cat photos, and inspirational pictures, but they serve no purpose in productivity. Items such as white boards, contact lists, charts, and graphs are much more suited for an efficient office.

The final piece of a well-organized office is the floor. The floor should be clean and free of unnecessary objects. A person should be able to walk around without fear of falling due to trip hazards. It should also have room for filing cabinets, or other storage containers. These objects should be able to be placed in a manner that is conducive to a proper Feng shui. Feng shui is a Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing the human existence with the surrounding environment. This harmonizing of the human existence translates into lower stress levels; which could lead to higher productivity levels.
Now you have a good overview on how to make your office more organized and efficient. Using proper organization techniques should have you well on your way to a more productive work environment. Just remember the basics of organization: A clean and properly stock desk, uncluttered walls with proper documentation, and a clean floor with proper storage. Now it is up to you the reader to determine your own organization style. Will you use the techniques from above or expand on your own?

PART II

Directions: Please read “The Yellow Ribbon” by Pete Hamill on page 220 of your textbook. When you have finished reading the article, answer the following questions with at least 250 words per question.

1. The thesis of Hamill’s essay is implied rather than stated directly. See if you can state the thesis in your own words.
No matter what a person has done or failed to do, they can still return home.
2. The main point in paragraph 2 is not stated; it is implied. Write a topic sentence for that paragraph.
The man sat still covered in grime secluded from the rest of the bus.
3. Hamill writes in paragraph 11 that Vingo seemed very shy. Find at least two pieces of evidence in the essay to support the idea that Vingo was shy.
In paragraph two Vingo purposely excludes himself from the group and stays to himself in a personal cocoon. In paragraph 3 during a stop everyone got off the bus except for Vingo.
4. Hamill implies that despite his crime, Vingo was an honorable man. Find evidence that supports that point.
Vingo was honorable in the fact of how he handled his incarceration and his family. Vingo stated that he committed a crime and did his time for it. Vingo also didn’t want to burden his family with his jail time. He told his wife that she could forget about him if it made it easier for her.
5. Reread the introduction. How do you think Hamill learned about this story?
Hamill heard about this story through a second hand account. A person told him the story and he rewrote it into a narrative form.