Real estate developers, investors, realtors, and the like are very familiar with the concept of prime real estate. Developers don't build warehouses on “beach front property,” but rather high end housing, retail, or commercial property. Think of prime real estate as your beach front property. This concept may seem pretty obvious, but how many of us apply this principle to our own space? To increase your productivity, consider applying this real estate principle to your space.
 First, let’s explore how to apply this principle at work. Frequency of use is the key to determining location. Only put those things you use on a regular basis in your prime real estate – nothing else. Where is your prime real estate in your workspace? Typically, it is your desktop, drawers, credenza, shelves and file cabinets within arm’s reach of your chair. Are you using your desktop as storage for books you seldom use or old information that should be archived or even destroyed? Do you have three coffee cups full of pens and pencils? Isn’t your desk where you go to be productive? Then it needs to be clear of distracting clutter which often leads to lost information and missed appointments and commitments. A cluttered desk is unprofessional and suggests a lack of control, focus and reliability. The only papers on your desk should be the ones you are currently working on. The only objects should be ones you use frequently.
Next, let’s explore prime real estate in your home. Again, this refers to the area that is most easily accessible. Certainly your countertops in the kitchen would qualify when you are preparing a meal. Look at what you are currently storing in this area – is the toaster used daily? What about your bread box or your canisters? Would the cupboard be a better home for these items? Rather than wasting your prime real estate on infrequently used items, make sure you are using this space for the things you use regularly.
When you are evaluating a space, list all of the activities you would like to do there. Next, list the items you need for those activities (baking, paying bills, homework, etc.) and keep them close to where they will be used. Once you have all of the items identified for the space, consider how frequently they are used. Seldom used things can be stored up high, down low, or in another room. On the contrary, if you bake frequently, you don’t want to have to get on a step stool or get down on your hands and knees every time you need your mixing bowls.
Remember, the value of real estate is determined by three things: location, location, location. As you move further away from your prime real estate, you should store items you use less frequently. You should use your “bargain” real estate for storage of items you need to access infrequently. In your office these might be files kept only for legal purposes; in your home they might be holiday decorations. Watch your productivity soar as you effectively and efficiently get your work done in your newly-organized workspace.
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