A new month begins tomorrow with new goals and challenges. Get ready to be uber-productive by cleaning off your desk (or whatever table holds your work.)
Set a timer for fifteen minutes. Put away the items that don’t belong on the desk and toss the trash and recycling.
Find a container (a box, bag, or file folder) for each project piled on your desk and put them on a shelf or in a drawer. Make a to-do list, so you remember that you want to work on them. Tabletops are not storage places, and you can only work on one project at a time.
Now remove all the holders of pencils, paperclips, and other office stuff. Take away the knick-knacks too. The only thing on your desk should be your computer. If you can move that, do so.
Once the desk is clear, wipe off all the coffee mug rings and cat hair (if you are me.) Step back and admire your desk. Isn’t it lovely? I assume you picked out your desk and you like it. I got my desk from a neighbor, but I love it when I can see the white top. Wouldn’t it be nice to see your desk all the time, instead of seeing all the stuff on it?
It’s time to make some decisions.
Here is a common way to organize your office supplies:
- Keep what you use daily within arms reach
- Keep what you use weekly within lean back reach (if you lean back in your chair, can you reach it?)
- Keep occasional items where you have to walk to grab them
But before you make all those choices, ask this question first. Do I really need it, and if I do, do I need to look at it constantly?
You might need paperclips and a stapler every day. That does not mean they have to sit on your desk. Do you have a drawer or basket that you could put all your use daily items in? Something close at hand but out of sight. Something that would keep your desk looking neat?
Perhaps you like having everything on your desk. Then reassess the containers those items are in. Do you like them? Do they do a good job? Would something else be a better choice? After fifteen years, I bought a new mug to store my pens and pencils. It’s smaller than my previous one and fits the space much better. Plus, I smile whenever I see it.
Everyone’s desk is different so do what works for you. All I ask is that you make deliberate decisions and not just leave stuff out because you always have. Most of us spend a lot of time at our desks. It should make you happy when you sit down, not add to your stress.
Don’t forget the timer. I wrote a lot about this project, but it should not consume your day unless you want it to.
