Is your desk drowning in paper, mired in mail
or caked with crumbs? Following are some tips for keeping your work
space clutter-free, courtesy of Doylestown, Pa.-based productivity
expert Neen James.
Strip it down. Keep only the bare essentials on
your desk: phone, computer and (if you use one) a daily planner.
Try to do without an in-box, and ask workmates to place new papers
or files on your desk or seat, where you’ll see them.
No paper trails. To keep your desk free of
paper, establish specific files for current projects. Also create a
reading file for articles, clippings or publications you want to
save and review when you have a bit more time. Review these files
once a week, and discard what you can.
Don’t eat at your desk. Make a point of eating
elsewhere to avoid making a mess.
Clean daily. At day’s end, take 10 minutes to
dispose of dirty coffee cups, empty water bottles, etc. Put away
pens and note pads, and file documents. Leave each day with a clear
desk so you can start the next day afresh.