Piles of paper on a desk (Affiliate Link) can make it hard to get things done. When you start looking for papers, you get increasingly anxious because they seem to have disappeared, leaving you to fend for yourself. Does this ever happen to you? Do you get increasingly frustrated moving around mounds and mounds of papers to locate that one important document barred under a large selection of unnecessary junk? Lucky for you, today, I am discussing a surefire way to permanently clear desk clutter FOREVER.
Table of contents
- Benefits of clearing your desk forever
- 8 Ways to Clean Desk Clutter All The Time
- Re-file folders asap.
- Use a bin and label it “To review and make a decision.”
- Place a ‘to file’ bin for those loose papers and files that need placement in the filing cabinet.
- Have a place to store your most frequently used files on your desk and only those papers.
- Organize the current project papers that are left on your desk in order by priority.
- Always combine ‘like’ files together in one area.
- Make it your priority to clear your desk at the end of each day.
- Have a place to put your desk supplies.
You may be thinking that can’t be possible. I’m telling you it is. But there is a catch. You must set habits that will keep you from veering off course. Before I do that, let’s discuss why you should remove the desk (Affiliate Link) clutter.
There are many benefits to clearing desk (Affiliate Link) clutter. Here are the main ones to help you.
Benefits of clearing your desk forever
- Quickly find and keep track of important papers – we tend to keep important papers out. So, if they are not under a pile of other papers, you can surely find them easily.
- Free up your time – By clearing the clutter off your desk, you will save time when you need to look for important papers.
- Stay focused on the task at hand – It is less distracting when you have fewer papers around you and will help you stay focused on the important projects.
- People will not judge you by your cluttered desk – Like it or not, people will judge you if you have a messy desk. And, if it is their first impression of you, it will take you a long time to win back their trust that you can do the job at hand.
- Increase motivation to get things done – When you go to your office and find a pile of papers that need to be sorted and reviewed, does it make you want to do it? Of course not. So, if you keep your papers neat and tidy regularly, those occasional piles will not get you too frustrated.
And, if you don’t believe me yet, check out these articles.
The Simple Guide to a Clutter-Free Desk
I hope this helps you understand the need for a clean desk. But how do I stay that way forever? Well, I’m glad you asked. The steps below will help you. Do each step individually, and make sure you turn it into a habit before moving to the next level.
8 Ways to Clean Desk Clutter All The Time
Re-file folders asap.
Putting away your files when you are done will help clear your desk quickly. If you feel like you do not have enough time, add 5 minutes to your task time so you will have time to do this task.
Use a bin and label it “To review and make a decision.”
Have a bin to hold papers you must look through and decide before getting rid of them. Not having a place for them will likely cause you to clutter up your desk. This bin can be vertical or horizontal, depending on your needs.
Place a ‘to file’ bin for those loose papers and files that need placement in the filing cabinet.
This can be a magnet bin you can attach to the filing cabinet (Affiliate Link). This will give you enough space to store and file papers but not enough space for it to become their everlasting home.
Have a place to store your most frequently used files on your desk and only those papers.
It should be near your desk but not on the desk. A side table works nicely to hold these papers.
Organize the current project papers that are left on your desk in order by priority.
Use different-colored sticky notes (Affiliate Link): red for important, yellow for not as important, and green for least important. Then, write the due date of the project on sticky notes (Affiliate Link). This will help you move through your projects in order of importance.
Always combine ‘like’ files together in one area.
Miscellaneous files are a no-no. Take a few minutes to figure out the broader category. One file with one manila folder and one piece of paper in it will quickly fill up your filing cabinet (Affiliate Link).
Make it your priority to clear your desk at the end of each day.
No excuses, please! Only leave the tasks for the next day on your desk. Every completed project must be put away. Add an appointment to your calendar to remind you to do this every day until it becomes a habit.
Have a place to put your desk supplies.
A drawer works great for pens (Affiliate Link), calculators, stapler (Affiliate Link), etc… If you do not have a small drawer, place them in the corner of the desk clustered together. At the end of each day, to keep your desk clear of smaller items, place your pens (Affiliate Link) and other items in this area.
Remember that having a few papers and your paper planner on your desk is OK. However, when the day ends, there shouldn’t be anything left except for the next day or that week’s work.
That’s it. By implementing these new systems, you can clear desk clutter quickly and forever. By taking the time to set these systems in place, you will not only save yourself time searching for things, but you will also be reducing your stress throughout your day. Isn’t it worth the time to set up your new and improved habits now? I think it is. Remember to do one task and make it a habit, then add the next task. This way, you will remember the previous tasks and add to the process of clearing your desk permanently. Are you still looking for more advice on paper management? Visit this page for all our posts on the topic.
Need help? Visit our Procedure Evaluations and Refinement Services and schedule an appointment so we can help you clear your desk clutter.
Let’s continue the conversation. What do you do to clear your desk each day? Please let me know. I would love to hear from you. Feel free to share with your co-workers.
I had to get rid of my in tray because I treated it like a “To review and make a decision” bin, but once i put something there, it stayed there for months. Now I have nowhere to put it, so I’m forced to make my decision right away.