December is an excellent time for business owners and employees to focus on office organizing.
Incoming phone calls, requests and work seem to slow down. Why not take some extra time to catch yourself up. Better yet, why not spend some extra time in-between egg nog and organize the top of your desk?
Any successful business person will tell you that productivity is paramount. You should make a commitment throughout your career to design and maintain an uncluttered work space. More and more businesses demand it because it sends a quiet, positive professional message to your colleagues and clients but more importantly, it shows you value the work and are a proud contributor.
However, America’s desktops tend to look like a dump-truck. The truth is, it doesn’t really take a MacGyver to put all the pieces together to form a cohesive, productive work space.
Don’t dread the desktop:
If you want to push your productivity, think of your desk as prime real estate. Clear off your entire desktop. Think like an Architect and rebuild the desk top with only the most essential, frequently used items (preferably every day). Don’t squirrel away unnecessary supplies in your desk and only store what you need for 3-4 weeks inside the desk. Avoid using a desk without even one or two simple drawers.
Store non-essential items far away:
Store items that you use on a monthly basis away from your table top work space, preferably on a shelf or a drawer away from your desk. Items you use infrequently, store them in a closet, large container, under your bed, or in the credenza or bookcase across the hall.
There is no reason to be maniacal about your space. Keep your space casual but considered. Everything kept should serve an important capacity. As your needs change (and they will) be smart, review your supplies once or twice a year and clear out useless or duplicate items.
This post is part of a mini-series of professional office organizing tips created for an interview with Men's Life Today.
Photo used courtesy creative commons, Chez Larsson photostream on Flickr
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