3 Easy Tips for a Cleaner (More Organized) Workspace!

Michael Scott, a great paper company manager, once said, "a cluttered desk means a cluttered mind. Well I say that an empty desk means a... " He caught himself before he could finish his quote, but he was implying was that an empty desk means a clear mind. 

And a clear mind is a vital component to a successful day. 

So if you find yourself rummaging through papers or wasting 5 minutes trying to find a pen - chances are - your mind could use a little emptiness and your desk a little clearing.

To get you started, here are 3 easy actions to implement:

Create a Placement System: The easiest way to get your desk organized, is to assign specific areas of your space for certain items. This allows you to quickly store and access work materials. I get that a second here or a minute isn't much, but overtime it does improve your productivity.

NOTE: You may not get it right the first time (you may forget the new spot for things), so it's okay to try different organizing systems until you find one that works for you!

Make it a Habit:  The majority of us, this writer included, tend to do a massive desk cleanup once or twice a year. However, recently I've been getting in the habit of re-organizing my desk every Friday. I find this much better. Now rather than wasting an hour doing a super clean (yeah... I was little unorganized), I take 15 minutes at the end of the week and get things right for the following Monday.

I go through all my notecards or documents, and keep the ones that have value and remove the ones that don't. This allows me to get moving right away when I return from a relaxing weekend.

Don't Overdo You: We spend a good amount of time at work, and it's a must that we express ourselves. Your desk is certainly a place that represents you (Remember: Clutter Desk = Clutter Mind). Sometimes though, we go overboard with our personal stuff, and that can get in the way of production.

I like to use a corkboard and dedicate it to my family and my accomplishments. I see all the important things in my life, while still being able to function in my workspace.

Small steps lead to big things; cleaning your desk is the tiniest of steps, but it can have a major impact on your life. To quote Michael Scott one more time, "An office is for not dying. An office is a place to live life to the fullest, to the max, to... An office is a place where dreams come true." Live to the max and have a clean desk in 2019!