Today’s the day to strip away your anxieties about doing it all by yourself.  Let the celebration begin with these five tips:

If you touch a piece of paper more than three times, you’re playing with it. Stop wasting time shuffling through papers you’re keeping “just in case” by asking yourself a few questions:

• Will I ever refer to this paper again?
• Will it be impossible to replace this paper if I ever need it?
• Would tossing this paper jeopardize my job or business?

If you answered no to these questions, toss the paper.  Better yet, recycle it.

Make it last more than two minutes. Have you ever taken the time to organize your home office and then a day or two later your office looks worse than before? If so, you’re probably fighting your natural working style.  Figure out the way you work and set up your home office to match that style.

If it’s too big, it’s useless. Before you buy furniture for your home office, measure the space.  If you buy a desk, bookcase or any other piece of furniture that can’t make it up the stairs or through a doorway, you’ve wasted time and money.

The way it functions matters. Invest in functional furniture that fits your home’s décor. When you shop for furniture, look for an ergonomically correct desk and chair as well as a bookcase to store books and supplies.

Don’t expose yourself to clients. If clients are going to meet with you in your home office, set up your office near the front door. Clients shouldn’t have to walk past laundry, toys and pets to reach your home office. Your dining room—probably the least-used space in any home—is a good, clutter-free space for client meetings.