In the office, your day starts and ends at your desk, and how you organize it can affect your mood and productivity in the workplace. The average worker spends about 1,920 hours a year at one’s desk, that’s why it is essential that the workspace is organized in such a way to promote efficiency and productivity.
For those who could barely see the surface of their desks, now would be the right time to do a few tweaks to stay organized and focused at work. Studies show that workers lose at least an hour a day looking for missing files or objects, and in addition to the time lost, a person’s stress levels could worsen due to a lack of organization in the office.
Here are some tips on how to organize your desk for productivity
Sort
Sort papers, files, and office supplies into three categories: to keep on your desk, to discard, and to file in a filing cabinet or a box under your desk. If you’re unsure whether a document should be thrown away, put it in a folder labeled “Miscellaneous documents.”
Check if you need to order or cut down on office supplies. For instance, you only need one stapler, not three. Pens that have run out of ink should be disposed of.
Wipe down
If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your desk, it’s likely that your workspace is now covered with a film of dust and water rings from coffee mugs and glasses. Wipe your desk down with a clean, slightly damp microfiber cloth.
You could also use disinfecting wipes from Clorox or Lysol if you’re concerned about any lingering germs. While you’re at it, wipe down your phone, your computer keyboard and monitor with electronics wipes from Endust or Belkin.
Arrange
You should arrange your desk in such a way so that frequently used items are within your reach. Place your computer monitor at the center of your desk, and this should be about an arm’s length from your body. Your phone should be on your dominant side, so if you’re right-handed, that’s where your phone should be.
Keep photographs from overwhelming your desk by choosing two small ones and frame them according to your preferred color scheme. Little objects, such as paper clips, staple wire, rubber bands and the like should be grouped together and kept in small containers in your drawer.
File
The filing would take up most of your time while organizing your workspace, so it’s important to have a filing system in mind before you proceed. If you have less-than-stellar handwriting, you can use a label maker to label the folders so everything is easy to find. Though printed folders look nice, stick with plain ones as they’re cheaper and look more professional for the office.
Don’t go crazy with sticky notes
Every office has that one worker who seems to have wallpapered his cubicle with reminders written on sticky notes. Rather than buying pads of sticky notes, get a desk pad calendar where you can write your appointments, notes and things to remember. Even better, get a planner for your notes.
If you can’t rid yourself of your sticky note habit, get a small whiteboard and resolve to stick your notes there and nowhere else in your workspace. Your desk will look neater and more organized if you do so.
For more, check out Jobs & Hire’s list of healthy snacks to keep at the office.
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