CREATING ORDER FROM CHAOS

Many of the same principles involved in organizing your office space (see cover article) are also applicable to keeping a well-ordered desk. While that article addressed broad principles of keeping and maintaining order, here youŽll find specific tactics you can employ to keep your desktop in top shape.

1. In most offices, paper is the number one enemy of a neat, highly functional desk. Which, of course, makes your waste basket its best friend. Use it liberally to rid your desk and files of unneeded documents, magazines, mail and any other paper that ties up your desktop. (And remember to recycle.)
2. Don't automatically print out e-mail and other electronic documents before considering whether you actually need to. By keeping it in your e-mail system or copying the documents on to your hard drive, you'll have easy access to the material, save paper and keep your workspace neat.
3. To prevent paper clutter, keep all your needed documents in file folders. As a last resort, create a "Miscellaneous" file for loose papers that can't be filed elsewhere.
4. Use the file drawer in your desk or a desktop standing file for your active files. Put old and inactive files in a separate file cabinet away from your desk.
5. Instead of keeping loose scraps of paper with your notes, telephone numbers and other bits of information, make it a point to transcribe them into your planner. You'll always know where to find the information you need.
6. Refile regularly - as you finish a project, move the files associated with it away from your desk and into a file cabinet or storage area.
7. If you've taken old files out of storage for a specific project, don't forget to put them back when you no longer need them.
8. Dedicate a specific time each day for doing paperwork. Close your door and have your phone transferred to a colleague to avoid distraction.
9. Clean up any paperwork before you leave for the day - you'll rest easy knowing that you'll come back to a neat, organized workspace the next morning.
10. Most importantly, don't just try these organizational tips - make habits of them. Practiced diligently over time, these proven techniques will become second nature to you.

A clean desk isn't just aesthetically pleasing, it makes for a more efficient and productive environment...makes you a more invaluable asset to your organization... and frees up more time for you to enjoy life.