Desk Clutter

We know that clutter impairs our productivity. But it could be doing worse things than that - what is the impact it is having on your clientele or your superiors when they see your messy office?

Imagine meeting an attorney for the first time, whose office is a cluttered mess - papers piled all over the desktop, mail and files scattered on the credenza, and an overloaded bookcase with stacks of books on top and on the floor. Regardless of the actual skill or reputation of that attorney, might your first impression be a negative one? Might your confidence in that attorney be lessened as well? In business, first impressions are important.

An important area to keep clutter free is your workspace/desk. Here are some tips from Monica Ricci on dealing with desk clutter:

Get a good desk. This doesn’t mean an expensive desk. It means one that is right for you and meets your daily needs. Your personal work habits as well as your business activities will determine what style and size desk is appropriate for you. If you refer to books, manuals or publications regularly in your business, a desk with an upright hutch would make sense. You can keep the books you refer to daily in the hutch. They will be easily accessed, but up off your work space. If books don’t need to be right at hand, a separate bookcase will suffice and you can go without the hutch in favor of a larger flat workspace. If you use a computer (and these days, who doesn’t?) and you have ample floor space, consider an L-shaped desk. You can keep your computer on one section and still have a large workspace on the other. This configuration allows you to avoid juggling two priorities on the same desktop. Another great aspect about an L-shaped desk is the additional room you gain for desktop tools such as upright file holders, stacking trays, baskets, portable hanging files, and your phone. Don’t forget all the space on your walls. When you can’t build out, build up! Shelves are a fantastic way to display personal items, awards, and photos while keeping your work area clean and functional.

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