We’ve covered the theory behind getting organized, but what about the practical side? How do you go from a cluttered to calm desk space?  The following 5 steps show you how:

1.  Commit

Set aside 30 minutes to tackle the re-organization of your desk top.  Once the space has been redefined, it will take much less time to clear at the end of each workday.  

2. Clear  

File any papers, folders or reference material.  Recycle or shred any unimportant papers. 

Set aside – perhaps in a bag or box – items to be returned to others, or taken home.

Use a box – perhaps the one copy paper is delivered in – and place in it all the remaining items from your desk.  

3. Cull  

As you place items in the box, edit your supplies.  Get rid of pens and markers that don’t work or that you simply don’t like using.   Throw out dried up glue sticks. Let go of the three jammed staplers that you think might work one day and replace them with one that does.

Keep only one each of basics such as tape or glue at your desk, and place backups in a supply cabinet.

Take a closer look at all the awards and office trinkets you have accumulated. It is alright to let them go if they are taking up valuable desk space.  

If you like to keep photos in your office, consider mounting them on the wall, or changing to a digital photo frame to reduce their footprint.

4. Categorize

Sort the items into two groups - those which should remain with your desk and those that can be placed elsewhere.

Store the items you use most often close at hand.  The less often you use something, the more you can afford the time it takes to retrieve it.  If you’re not sure what you’re using, place your supplies into a shoe box. Each time you use an item, retrieve it from the shoe box and put it back in your drawer.  If after a week you haven’t used an item it may not need to be by the desk, in fact, you may not need it at all!

5. Repeat

Overhauling your desk area once in awhile is a good idea to pare down to your essential supplies.  It will make it easier to clear your desk at the end of every day, enabling you to start each day with a sense of control.  

If you have a clear desk policy for security reasons, it is critical to establish good habits so that files are in order when you need them rather than being stashed away quickly. 

Coming up next in the series: Organizing the Home Office

ACCO BRANDS CANADA is proud to sponsor this 10 week series on organizing your workspace leading up to ORGANIZE YOUR DESK DAY on October 21, 2010. Get the tools you need to get organized from world class brands such as Swingline, Quartet, Day-Timer, GBC, Kensington, and Wilson Jones. Clare Kumar, founder and Chief Organizer at Streamlife, an organizing company, will take you on a practical and inspiring journey from chaos and clutter to productivity and peace of mind.