Since January was GO Month, I’m continuing to bring you Get Organized tips. Today, here’s your Desk assignment if you choose to tackle it! Because, you know…it might be a mess regularly, or you may need to start getting tax papers together.

You know your why, I’ll show you how.

Spend the thirty minutes to hour of your day at work keeping your desk organized for a more productive week, month & year!

Really!  If you spend 30-60 min’s today and clean up your desk,  it will make you feel so much better, more productive, more effective and less stressed when you sit down (or stand) to get back to work.

Here’s a quick breakdown with a few tips to keep in mind as you are tackling this little (or maybe not so little?) task:

• If you already have a good filing system in place, sort & file or toss/shred the rest. IF NOT…
• Decide if you are A filer or A piler (more here). If you are a ‘filer’ proceed to the next step using a vertical file sorter. If you are a ‘piler’ then proceed but modify this system using a horizontal filing baskets, bins or small drawers.
• Create a ‘Tickler or Action file system’ for the items that need to remain nearby.  There are several types like 43 Folders or a more action-based system. Sort items & file or toss/shred the rest. Action files may include: To Do,  Pay, Contact, Research or Decisions, Complete, Pending, Read, Delegate, Upcoming events, File, Current projects (by name) and more.
• Clear supplies off surfaces. Put them in drawers or bins/boxes/baskets and label as needed.  Keep only what you  use regularly on the desk. One pen/pencil and one notepad and the electronic paraphernalia.
• Utilize vertical space. Hang a cork, whiteboard, calendar, or action file sorter (not where things should live permanently!). Consider anything else that you can remove from your desk to better use vertical space.
• Remove anything unrelated to work or home office (toys, mail that hasn’t been sorted, tools, knickknacks, etc.)
• Optimize your workspace ergonomics. Check the height of your chair, monitor, and desk.  Add good lighting and consider using or adjusting arm rests, using a riser for your monitor, a wedge for your wrists etc.
• Include something beautiful (not a bunch of things!). One or two beautiful objects like a plant, a crystal, a photo, candle etc. that give you a place for you to rest your eyes. Cast your gaze on these when you are taking recommended 3-min breaks from your monitor.

IF this doesn’t seem like a task you can tackle in 30-60 min’s and you can’t do it all at once then tackle the tasks above that seem easy and check them off the list.  When it comes to the BIG piles, can you do a quick sort and keep only the things you really need on/near your desk in a desktop sorter of some type?  The rest can go into a box for you to label “SORT” and work on a little at at time (30 min’s a day) for the rest of the week or until it’s done.

Coming to work tomorrow will be that much more joyful with a neat an tidy desk!

Brought to you by National Clean off your desk day!  Who thinks of these things?  Hallmark?  Is there a card for it?

Now, I’m off to take my own medicine!  Happy Clean Desk Day!