Saturday, January 22, 2011

How To Organize Your Desk

By Yvette Edgar


It's no secret that organization has many benefits. Organized people are, as a whole, more relaxed and productive. Having a system for your home or office desk will help you be a more efficient worker.

The first part of organizing the area is taking everything off and out of the desk. It is crucial to start with a fresh plate and have a general idea of everything that was kept in the space. Big things like computers and scanners can stay where they are but the rest should be removed. You will probably discover items that do not belong in the area but have found their way there. These things should be put back where they belong to eliminate clutter.

Next, your work station needs to be cleaned out thoroughly. Wipe down the top after you have cleared everything off of it. Then go through and throw away any bits of trash and pieces of paper that have accumulated in the bottoms of the drawers. Now is also the time to use canned air to dust of your electronics and recycle the papers you plan on dumping.

Purchase some containers at a department store that will work for the space. These organizers will both help you to better manage your time and spruce up the area. Get things like drawer organizers, pencil cups, and in box trays, depending on your needs. If personal objects were cluttering up the workspace, buy a shelf that you can hang on the wall for displaying them.

After you have cleared off your space and purchased organizers, go through your belongings and prioritize them. Things that you use often, pens and scotch tape, should be kept within arm's reach. Lesser used items can be stored in drawers or shelves. If you find things that are not a priority to the work you do at your desk, consider moving them to save room.

Start a filing system to help you keep track of your work papers and folders. If you don't already have some, tabbed folders are available at any department or supply store. Use the folders for things like "Client Lists" or "Current Projects". A filing system is also handy for storing documents you don't need but are important to keep safe. If you do decide to store important papers inside, you can install a small lock on the front of the drawer.

To keep on track with your updated work life, get a wall calendar and a "To-Do" tray. Display them on the surface and within reach so you will be more likely to use them. A calendar will assist you in maintaining long term targets or projects and a "To-Do" tray will help you in keeping on top of your short term deadlines.

Take a few minutes at the end of each day and tidy up the area. Pick up any empty coffee cups and throw away your trash. This habit will ensure your work space remains an organized and relaxed environment. It will also ensure that being organized soon becomes a second nature to you.




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