Whether you’re working from home or in the office, your desk should always help boost productivity. But unfortunately, it’s all too easy to let the surface of your desk become an untidy mess when you’re busy. The problem is, that mess could be affecting your mood. Clutter can ruin your train of thought, whereas a clear space can help you stay focused, allowing you to complete tasks on time.
So, if you’ve been putting off cleaning your desk because you don’t know where to start, or you’re trying to arrange your new desk to boost efficiency, this handy guide will help make organising your desk for any environment, a simple task.
Before you begin organising your desk, it’s worth remembering to take your time. When you load yourself with multiple tasks to undertake at once, things can quickly become overwhelming, which is why our tips are broken down into handy sections you can accomplish in your own time.
1. Clear The Space
Start by clearing the trash around your space. Recycle old papers that have been piling up and remove any debris.
This is also an excellent time to clean the surface of your desk by wiping it down.
2. Go through Every Item
The best way to declutter is to go through all your desk items and ask yourself, do you need it? Visual clutter can create an overwhelming environment that’s distracting to the eye so, if there are items on your desk that don’t serve a purpose related to your desk or work, remove them.
Tip: An excellent way to determine whether or not you need an office supply is to see if you use it in a day – if you don’t, it might be better off in a drawer or another spot.
3. Go Digital
If you use paper a lot, another fantastic way to reduce clutter is to digitise your work. Paper and books are among the leading causes of desktop chaos, whereas digital documents are easy to navigate and organise. Scan the essential documents you need and move them to a digital folder to clear space. You could even sync your phone and laptop together for efficiency and easy sharing abilities.
4. Organise Your Computer
Cleaning your desk is also a fantastic time to sort your computer or laptop. Like a desk, a computer (especially the desktop) can become cluttered with unused files and documents, which can be hard to navigate through. Therefore, clearing these files will help keep you focused. It’s also a great way to take a short break from work.
5. Create an efficient layout
Having a desk with a functional layout can improve your productivity.
Create a practical desk layout by first ensuring your computer or laptop is always right in front of you (at eye level) for proper posture. Place your most essentials, such as your phone or notepad, on your dominant side for easy access. Anything else can be spread around the desk in a layout that seems natural to you.
Tip: Always keep all the items on your desk within arm’s reach for easy access.
When you need to write something down but don’t have the space, life can become stressful. To avoid this, your desk’s layout should also include a no-parking zone (a place where you can’t dump items). So, you always have a free space to write whenever you need to.
