Cleaning & Stress

For any operation to be efficient it must be well organized, clean and free from distraction. One must be able to find one’s tools, supplies and raw materials when they are needed. Tools and supplies can also mean pens, loupes*, calculators as well as burs**, polishing compound*** and pliers.

We have gone on too long allowing things to be messy and un-organized. If you look around the store you will find that the majority of problems come from the areas that are least organized and messy. Do your own test to see that this is true.

We clean every Saturday, this means all areas including the jeweler’s area and buffing room. We then continue to keep it clean so it isn’t a major job each week.

If each item has its’ place, it can be found when needed and we can cut out hours from a day spent searching for things. The trick to this is taking one thing, one task, one job and completing it before going to the next. Even if you are interrupted, you will only have one job or task on your desk when you return.

One often makes a mess when they are working. One need not live in it.

Reducing the confusion in one’s area, (the mess), will reduce the stress and confusion of work.

For your own good, your area must be cleaned straightened and organized before leaving for the day. It takes some discipline but once it is a habit, it’s a welcomed chore.

• loupe – also called a magnifier. A device used to view gemstones and jewelry, usually at 10 times magnification
• bur – Any of various small rotary cutting heads designed to be attached to a drill for polishing, cutting and shaping of jewelry.
• polishing compound – a mixture of chemicals formed into a solid clay-like substance used to polish jewelry.