How to Organize Your Desk
We usually have more stuff on our desk than we use on a regular bases.
Check your desk and see how many points you accumulate: (The lower you score the better!) A. How many note pads do you have? Give yourself one point for each one. B. How many sticky notes do you have? Another point for each one. C. How many different sizes, shapes and colors of envelopes do you have? Give yourself 5 points for each different size and one point for each different color. D. Award one point for each decorative item on your desk. This includes: pictures, flowers, gifts, and candy. E. Do you have any type of desk pad? Ten points. F. Do you have an in/out tray on your desk? If it opens on the short end, give yourself 20 points. G. Do you have a tool on your desk that doesn’t work properly the first time? For instance, a stapler that takes two attempts to staple a paper or a pen that’s out of ink? Give yourself 25 points for each temperamental item. H. Is your garbage can full? Give yourself 50 points. I. Check any reference book(s) on your desk. Give yourself 100 points for any book that has a copyright over 10 years ago. J. Do you have a mat under your desk chair that is broken or so small that you frequently roll off of it? Give yourself 50 points. K. Do you know where your prime working space is? Give yourself 25 points. Your desk is a tool and should work for you, not against you. However, most times we are trying to get the paper work off the desk that we don’t pay attention to the other things on our desk. |
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Here are suggestions to get the desk to work for you.
A. Choose one size for your note pad, sticky notes and envelopes. Several sizes aren’t necessary. Simplify.
B. Remove the decorative items from your primary work area. Place them on the wall, behind you, as a screen saver or mouse pad. In your primary working area, decorative must also be functional.
C. The desk pad and chair mat tend to constrict your movement. Remove them to free up some space. These days, not all chairs require mats.
D. It’s easier to get things in and out of file trays that open on the long side. Test it for yourself.
E. The tools that you use should work the first time. Replace them now! Worn out or broken office tools can cause unnecessary frustration.
F. If your garbage is overflowing, congratulations on getting rid of stuff. But it seems your trash can may be too small. Get a larger size.
G. Any reference materials used should have a copyright less than 10 years ago. Update your materials.
A. Choose one size for your note pad, sticky notes and envelopes. Several sizes aren’t necessary. Simplify.
B. Remove the decorative items from your primary work area. Place them on the wall, behind you, as a screen saver or mouse pad. In your primary working area, decorative must also be functional.
C. The desk pad and chair mat tend to constrict your movement. Remove them to free up some space. These days, not all chairs require mats.
D. It’s easier to get things in and out of file trays that open on the long side. Test it for yourself.
E. The tools that you use should work the first time. Replace them now! Worn out or broken office tools can cause unnecessary frustration.
F. If your garbage is overflowing, congratulations on getting rid of stuff. But it seems your trash can may be too small. Get a larger size.
G. Any reference materials used should have a copyright less than 10 years ago. Update your materials.
Copyright 2013 Nancy Miller
This article is free for reprinting provided terms and agreements are followed.
This article is free for reprinting provided terms and agreements are followed.
Nancy Miller, a professional organizer with over 20 years of experience coupled with a Certified Professional Coaching credential offers both personal and business consultation. Nancy’s credentials include past membership in the National Association of Professional Organizers and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. She delivers over 100 programs nationwide each year. Her book, Clutterology® Getting Rid of Clutter and Getting Organized is in it’s 4th Edition