Clutter Control: Tips to Organize Your Desk

When your desk is cluttered, you are less likely to be very productive; at least, this is true in my case. Since I don't work well at a messy desk, I usually end up taking my laptop to the dining table to get any work done. But if you take control of your clutter and keep your work space organized, you might find yourself becoming more productive.

Clutter Control: Keep a waste basket close by.

Take control of your clutter by placing a waste basket under your desk--or very close by--to avoid having trash pile up on your desk. If there are no trash cans nearby, I tend to get lazy about tossing junk and it piles up on the desk. Keep a basket handy so you can keep your desk clean.

Clutter Control: Find a spot for everything.

Everything on or around your desk should have a place. De-clutter your desk by removing the items you don't use regularly and find a place for it in a cabinet or drawer. Of course, your computer will stay on your desk. Pens, paperclips, notepads: What else do you use on a regular basis?

Clutter Control: Utilize the filing cabinet.

This is my weak spot; I am very lazy when it comes to filing papers, so they pile up in a tray by the desk. Then they start to overflow. But if you file papers as they come in, your desk will stay neat and clean. Label each file so you can easily find papers if you ever need to reference one.

Clutter Control: Place loose papers in a tray.

There might be some papers you need to keep handy for a while. Or maybe you don't have time to file them right away. Toss them into a tray (if you have stack-able trays, it helps to label each level) and go through them when you have a chance. At work, I like to go through these papers daily, but--of course--it doesn't happen so quickly at home.

Clutter Control: Put your pens in a cup.

Ugh! I hate finding random pens and pencils lying around. I like to keep them all in a cup (an empty can will do) and grab one when I need it. This way, I know exactly where to find them.

De-clutter your desk to help make your work space more usable. A clean desk promotes productivity (plus, it looks better). I get stressed just looking at a messy desk, and even more so when I try to work at it. Keep your desk organized and you might find yourself getting more done when you sit down to work.