It’s no news that a clean desk is a productive one and can be a key element to getting your work done. You might think you’ve got it figured out with your stacks of papers, but FYI, piles do not necessarily = organization! When you are working in a co-working or shared space, it can be risky and sometimes even embarrassing to see your workspace looking like a tornado just stormed through!
A disaster desk leaves no room for creativity and can feel overwhelming, but we’ve got you covered with these 5 tips to get you back on the organization train:
1. Designate a physical inbox
We have all gotten pretty good at organizing our email inboxes, but for some reason when it comes to our desk, we leave papers and files scattered everywhere. Creating yourself a physical inbox on your desk - ONE place for incoming papers - will allow you one location to put incoming physical files so that they aren’t scattered all over the place.This will make things easier for processing later on.
2. Have a trash can within reach
If you have to get out of your office chair to throw away trash, your trash can is too far away. Now, we are all for exercise and getting up from your desk from time to time, but if you are struggling with “messy desk” syndrome, then this might help!
Get in the habit of never putting your trash down. It should never end up on your desk in the first place. Whether it’s a piece of paper you don’t need or a food wrapper, once it is set down on your desk, it will end up living there. Not to mention that half empty pop can is just a disaster waiting to happen! Get into the habit of putting these things into the trash can immediately. Having it close to you makes it quick and easy.
3. Minimize incoming paper
You will probably never need 99% of the paper you are saving. And the good news is you can “save” it in another format. Minimizing incoming paper will not only save the planet, but also potentially your sanity.
If there is a way to take things online, do it! Paper reports, memos, and contracts can all be emailed and easily stored in your electronic files. Take a picture or scan items for reference. Most smartphones have a scan app now, and we also have a scanner at La Place available to our members! If you don’t need it in a hard copy, stop it from coming to your desk!
4. Get rid of unnecessary clutter
Look at your desk right now. What do you see on your desk that is taking up space, but that you don’t need to do your job? Unless it's serving a direct purpose in doing your work, move it off your desk.
Instead of leaving these items on your desk, take a picture or write it down in your phone notes for reference, then throw it out. You are way more likely to have your phone with you, and you can use that photo or note for reference when you actually need it.
5. Schedule regular cleaning time
If you haven’t cleaned your desk in a month, it might feel daunting and take a while to organize when you finally get around to it.
Clean it before you leave it. Take five minutes at the end of your work day to tidy up and organize your work space (maybe even using the 4 tips above!). Making this the last thing you do everyday before you leave brings closure to your work and sets you up for a clean start tomorrow. An organized work area will help you get more done!