Some Ideas to Help with a Messy Desk

Often times, the problem is not cleaning the desk --though that can be a challenge-- but maintaining the clean workspace. Here are some tips to help keep the desk clean:

• Sort your mail and toss junk as it arrives. Even with an in-basket, you need to process your mail daily to avoid accumulating a stack of paper.
• Get rid of sticky notes and scraps of paper. Get a single notebook and use it to record notes, phone numbers, web addresses, ideas, to-dos, etc.
• Create a list or binder of regularly referenced material, such as phone numbers, and keep it accessible in a desk drawer.
• Schedule filing time at least once per week.
• Add dated or calendar items to a tickler file system or a diary as soon as they arrive.
• When you stop working on something, put it away until the next time you need it. Don't leave half-completed projects sitting on your desktop.
• Keep nothing on your desk unless you absolutely need them. If you aren't joining sheets of paper with tape, move the dispenser off the desk. If you want personal photos in the office, restrict it to one or better yet, hang them on the wall.
• Keep a reading folder for material you need or want to read at some time. Scheduling a regular reading time to clear that material.
• Create a "waiting for" or pending file to hold items dependent on outside action.
• Create a weekly appointment to clean your desk and this includes dusting or polishing. You might be less inclined to mess up a shiny desk.

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