So you've tackled your desk, cleared it off, and started fresh. How do you keep it looking as nice and organized as the one shown above? Click below for our tips...
- Limit your paper usage. If you can, go paperless and start using your computer to file documents electronically, rather than printing documents and then filing them. For tips on paperless work flow, click here.
- If you can't go paperless, keep a good filing system. Establish a method for wrangling paperwork. If you're having trouble getting started on your desk organization project, Beth from Apartment Therapy Los Angeles has broken down the process into three manageable steps: one, two, three. LifeClever also has a good, detailed list of steps for managing paperwork.
- Beware of black holes. Avoid organizational "black holes" like paper trays and miscellaneous files, which encourage you to stash paper indefinitely. Junk collectors like these can quickly clutter the surface of your desk.
- Keep a wastebasket and recycling bin near your desk. If it's nearby, you'll use it more. Regularly throw away or recycle broken pens, scratch paper, and all those little things that so many people hang on to for no good reason.
- Wrangle wires and chargers. Our tech site has a long list of recommendations for cord control. It's also a good idea to establish a charging station where you keep your cell phone, iPod, BlackBerry, or other portable devices while they're recharging. Unplggd has two great roundups of simple charging stations you can make yourself.
Give us your tips and tricks in the comments below.
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Comments (14)
Love the desk!
When I worked in an office, I had all of my jobs in folders and only had the folders I was working on on my desk. As soon as I was done, they went right back into my filing cabinet in my desk drawer.
Kind of sad in an office that if you're desk isn't a total disaster that people assume you're not busy... got this comment all the time.
Andreas is Dreamy like his condo...
I have to have a clean desk. Doesn't mean that it's always like this but i clean it as soon as I'm done.
http://blueantstudio.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-aluminum-macbook-and-24-led-cinema.html
joel
i don't really worry about my desks....
it's my husband's that's the problem!! The tiny office is going to be our last room to tackle in the new house. Right now, his HUGE corner desk is in there somewhere under piles of stuff. Luckily, even he is sick of it! He actually wants to sell it and get an expedit- something about being able to make it perfectly organized for all his computers or something...
Where is the desk from?
At home, yes this is inspiration. At work it does scream of what? good time management? I'm always happy when I get to this point, but I don't mind that it is only once a quarter maybe. It is a happy time to breathe and consider a job well done.
I am reminded of a former boss, "empty desk, empty mind"
love the credenza. where is it from?
I think the only real way to have a clean and orderly desk is to have a display desk in plain sight and a secret, messy desk hidden behind a door or a screen or even in a totally different building ;)
"Where is the desk from?"
It's vintage.
Just to play devil's advocate, why SHOULD a desk be this clean? A desk is a workspace, and most of us have more than one thing going on at a time.
Too many "organizers" suggest that we only do sequential tasks, one-at-a-time. They assume we never have multiple projects, get interrupted, or have to hold onto paperwork while we're waiting for someone to get back to us. It's completely unrealistic. The workplace is not a simple in/out box
I get the whole "if your desk isn't messy you must not be busy thing" too. I do a lot of my work solely on the computer. Even research, etc. Or if I do need a file or binder I use it then put it back up. I def. think when co-workers stop by my cube and see nothing on the surface that I must not be doing anything. But I also see some of their cluttered and overwhelmingly piled up desks and think "there is no way they are working on that many things". Seriously, some of it is collecting dust. I guess you just have to figure out what works best for you and then let your work speak for itself (i.e. if you ARE working and not goofing off online it will show, regardless of your lack of paperwork).
Desks will get messy but I hate it when it gets simply piled up with crap so I clean it off, dust it good and stuff and lately I've been keeping it reasonably cleared of detritus so it's not so bad now but it DOES get bad, however I need to go through my inbox badly however.
Great tips, thanks! Also, that desk is gorgeous.
Lisa (Montreal), I agree! I organize offices in DC for a living and tell people that inevitably, their desks will see piles again. The trick is to have designated places for everything so that if you have 10 minutes to clean up, you can. It's also all about the hierarchy of storage: so many of us have taxes from 10 years ago in the drawers closest to us. You need what is most active in front of you, and actually living on the desktop. This can be done beautifully in so many ways. I also like to use file pockets on the wall in front of the desk. If you are out of sight out of mind like most everyone, don't force yourself to use a filing cabinet. In most cases these are only useful for archives, otherwise, they quickly become black holes. More offite org. tips at http://theinspiredoffice.com/newsletter.html