Last updated : Thursday, July 9, 2009

Print | |

 

10 Steps to a Cleaner Desk

Try as you might to keep your desk organized, at the end of the day you practically have to dive in to find your cell phone and ID. Endless paperwork, file drawers you're afraid to even open, and then there's the accumulating dust ... this is no way to work. You end up spending hours looking for a single piece of paper instead of tackling that huge project. This is where Organizational Expert Jill Pollack comes in to save the day, and your desk. After following her tips to organize your workspace, you'll be productive in no time.

Jill Pollack's Top 10 Desk Organization Tips:

1. Get rid of pens and pencils you don't need. I have one type of pen I like to use, but every month or so my pencil holder gets filled up with other random writing instruments. If you aren't going to use it, don't feel bad about throwing it out. It is just clutter.

2. Proximity based on frequency of use. If you use it every day, it should be closer than something you use only a few times each week. This is common sense, but it is easy to arrange our desk for aesthetics instead of usefulness.

3. Easy to access files. Without moving your chair or getting up, you should be able to grab an unused manila folder, label it and put it in your file cabinet. Easy filing is one cornerstone of good organization. The more effort it requires, the more difficult it will be to stay organized.

4. Cleaning supplies. If you clean your desk with Windex and a paper towel, make sure you have some nearby. This will help encourage you to wipe down your work surface more often. It is all about making things as easy for yourself as possible.

5. Scratch notepad. During the course of the day, you will have telephone numbers, names, addresses, order confirmations, flight numbers, etc. If you can keep these all in one place, you'll be far more productive if you need to look something up later. By keeping a notebook, specifically for these types of items, you won't lose nearly as many things.

6. Organize as you go. It is more efficient to stay organized as you work instead of trying to do it all at the end. You should be constantly working on keeping your desk neat. If it gets disorganized in the middle of a big project, take small steps. Clear a 1 foot by 1 foot area before you leave for the day. Making a small effort toward organization may not seem like much, but if you do it everyday, it will keep things headed in the right direction for you.

7. Numbers sheet. Make a frequently called numbers sheet and store under your mouse pad or inside a drawer.

8. Set aside time daily for doing paperwork. Choose an hour when there are few distractions -- if at home, in the early morning before the family gets up or if at work, before the staff comes in. During this time, use an answering machine or your voice mail system to screen calls, have your secretary hold calls or have a co-worker answer your phone (you can return the favor at another time).

9. Use the desk clock as an important ally. If you're procrastinating about something, tell yourself you'll work on it for "just 15 minutes." And use the clock to help you stop early enough so you will have time to put things away at the end of the day.

10. Put up a bulletin board or chalkboard. Besides using either as an inspiration board (also a good idea), it's easier to jot down a quick idea in chalk or on a slip of paper on the bulletin board rather than finding a journal to write it down. Later, when time permits, transfer the ideas to a particular journal or folder.

Jill Pollack became an organizational expert after over ten years as a TV producer. She worked at CBS News, The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, Extra, and ended her illustrious career with the primetime reality show of The Wedding of Trista and Ryan ("The Bachelorette"). Knowing her talent for persuasion and getting things done, she decided to utilize her highly honed organizational skills to truly help people live their best life by getting rid of clutter in closets, garages, offices, kitchens, guest rooms and beyond. Click here to learn more about Jill Pollack. 

 

Print | |