How To Keep Your Desk Clean (Without Using A Shovel)
Keywords: organize, desk, clean, help, shovel, clear
Take a look around you. Chances are, you’re sitting at your desk, or whatever desk-substitute you have. And chances are, it’s a mess.
What’s it going to take to free you from the mess?
A better filing system?
A bigger trash can?
A shovel?
Oh, I know you’re a clean person, don’t get me wrong – but your desk is most likely the landing place for every miscellaneous business-related piece of paper, envelope, sticky note, and notebook you have, not to mention your computer, phone, your keyboard and mouse, plus all the incidentals – pens, tape, paper clips, a glass of water, pictures, paper trays, etc.
Whew!
With all that you ask of your desk, it’s a miracle it isn’t swamped even more. And, maybe it’s time you rethink your desk strategy.
Desk strategy?
Oh yes, grasshopper. The reason your desk looks like a car wreck some days is because you don’t have a desk strategy.
For example, if you are an artist, then your desk strategy could require it to be a space for creativity and expression. And then, a fresh supply of paper, pens, pencils, paint, etc. could be a natural sight on your desktop.
And, if are a webdesigner, your strategy might include gearing everything for the computer-intensive work you do. So, having your graphics tablet, client folders, and computer gear first and foremost would make perfect sense.
But what if you do a wide range of things?
If you’re running your own business, then the odds are better than ice melting that you’ve got multiple desk strategies to handle the various facets of your business.
So, how to manage them all?
Easy. Have a comprehensive desk strategy.
And how, pray tell, do you pull that off?
Simple. As in, keep it simple. Here are the three keys to doing that:
- Keep it clean. One of the beautiful things about keeping a space “zen-like” isn’t just that you have to buy less stuff – it’s that the space is always ready for whatever you have to do.
If you have to move what’s there to make room for what’s coming, that’s a step that just slows you down, and adds to your daily stress quota.
- Keep it handy – or not. If you use your label-maker often, why do you keep it in a box in the closet? And if you reach for a piece of tape once a week, why keep the tape dispenser on your desk?
The rule to remember is, anything you use often, keep it handy. The less you use it, the further away it can, and should, be.
- Keep it together. Chances are, for each of your tasks, there are certain materials that you always use. For example, in addition to your computer, depending on the project, you may use a number of items:
Finances: calculator, bank statements, bills, checkbook, stamps
Writing articles: ideas/clippings, blank paper, favorite pens, templates, etc.
Research: books, notepads, file folders, etc.
If you have to search high and low for every item you use for certain tasks, you’ll be less eager to pull it all out and put it all away each time. And that internal resistance will lead to procrastination, avoidance, and quite often, a bigger mess.
By keeping the items together that go together, you’re making it that much easier on yourself to work efficiently and productively.
It pays to think out of the box…
Who said you can’t have two tape dispensers? Sometimes having multiples of an item allows you to keep all project-related essentials together, which can save you oodles of time and mental stress.
The whole idea is to put some awareness into the way you use your most valuable piece of real estate, i.e. your desk, to save you your most valuable commodity, i.e. your time.
Not to mention, a sore back (from all the shoveling, that is).
Are you struggling to get done all you need to get done?
You have a message you want to bring to the world; don’t
let it get buried under mounds of unfinished work.
Visit www.MonkAtWork.com, and get a free ebook that will help
you silence the overwhelm.
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Shop Smart For Your Next Computer (1)
In order to save time and energy for buying a computer, you must following the three steps: setting you up to doing your homework, focusing on the homework itself to help you make decisions, and nailing your decision down to closing the sale.
How To Get Started Or Re-started In Your Mortgage Business (2)
Offer your private number (cell phone number) in case they have any questions. 4. Send a hand written "Thank You" note expressing your gratitude for the time they spent with you and the information they provided.
How To Choose A Golf Bag Travel Cover (3)
You could then dispense with at least one suitcase, and your golf case could be the only luggage you have with you. All of these extras, and more, such as coolers with chill packs, are good but you must not take your mind off the whole reason for having a golf bag cover: it is for protection during travel.
Avoid Car Crashes With Common Sense (4)
They make up what I like to call driving common sense, and these prevention measures can drastically decrease your chances of getting involved in an accident if they are respected.
How To Appear On The First Page Of Google Search Results (5)
Natural results achieved through SEO Natural results are when you appear in the main list of results. You do not pay to appear or when a user clicks on your link.
The Importance Of Submitting To Web Directories (6)
Directories are great because people do not have to know exactly what they are looking for. Instead, they can have a general idea and simply search the directory to try and find a site that meets their interest.
Computer Hardware And Software (7)
It has slots for RAM (usually called Memory) and for other cards such as Modem, Video-graphics card, Sound Card etc. It also has lots of ports to support input, output and storage devices, peripherals and what not.
The Underground Economy And Why It Is Bad For All Of Us (8)
In addition, while you are paying your full share of income taxes, GST, PST and health costs, all the leeches who make up about 15 percent of our economy are costing us about $30 billion a year by not paying these taxes.
Camping With Beautiful Views In The Three Rivers Area In South Central New Mexico (9)
Getting to these campgrounds is easy. Eighteen miles north of Tularosa, NM, turn east onto Forest Road 579 at the sign that says Three Rivers Petroglyph Site. The roads to each campground are well marked but unpaved a good part of the way.
5 Reasons Why People Fail Online Education (10)
For those who are trying to start a brand new career, especially one that is technically challenging, sometimes, the whole experience of working with computer software and programs that you have never used before can prevent students from doing well in their courses.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Internet Home Business Ideas (1)
-Number of sales required to make a profit/week. -Do you need to ship product. -Is wholesaler a drop shipper. -Set-up merchant banking. Operating an auction site is relatively easy.
Skin Care Cream Basics (2)
Usually, decent skin care cream products for the hands will offer some sort of rejuvenating oil, as well as coconut, almond, or honey ingredients, which are known to not only moisturize the skin, but also act as protection from the elements.
The Secret $31 Billion Global Local Search Market (3)
For example, I've long heard rumors for years to the search tail. I'm not vigilant where that phrase it originated and with whom, but tails aren't a new consideration to the search world.
When You Feel Bad Because They Did Not Stay In The Network Marketing Business (4)
It is better to build a resource that allows everyone in your team to be informed of the best way to market the business. This can be a system or a blog.
Quality Gear: The Backside Sleeping Bag (5)
Since a backside sleeping bag is especially designed to keep campers and hikers incredibly warm in the coldest of climates, synthetic and natural insulations are used in their products with a fill power of 700-750 or more.
A World Of Possibilities: Blue Ridge RV Camping (6)
Keywords: tent, camping, tents, camping equipment, campgrounds, hiking, backpacking, camping gear, camping sup Travelling the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern United States will continually surprise you as you cruise past first a folk arts fair, then a museum to Appalachian culture, then a breath-taking shimmering lake.
Eggs Are A Star Of Breakfast Camping Recipes (7)
Tom Ambrozewicz is CEO/President of www.CampingManiac.com combines his love for the outdoors to help you with information that will enhance your camping experiences and make your adventures memorable. Check his latest bestseller book at www.campingmaniac.com
Window Dressing And Corporate Scandals (8)
These should actually be accounted in the same year under the accrual and prudence concepts. However, due to the discretionary nature of charging off such expenses, many items like maintenance, employee training costs, amortization of research and development costs and impairment of assets are treated as deferred revenue expenditure.
How To Recruit Network Marketers (9)
All selling is done online and through the internet. With the internet overtaking the world and online credit card transactions becoming more acceptable..people are comfortable to join network marketing companies online.
Teach You How To Cancel Your Student Loans (10)
You're a full-time staff member in a Head Start program (Perkins loans only). 12. Your a Peace Corps or VISTA volunteer (Perkins loans only). John Hilaire offers practical advice on www.debtcreditus.com and www.debtcreditus.com to help you find reliable information.
Permalink to How To Keep Your Desk Clean (Without Using A Shovel)