Wiped clean:
Spring cleaning can help declutter your mind and workspace
For 10 years, Anthony Harris made it a habit to clean his desk each night before he left the office. “It was something I didn’t even think about,” says the 41-year-old accountant in Kansas City. “I’d get up and clear off the desk, throw out the trash and do whatever I had to do to make sure when I came back to work in the morning, I had a clean desk.” And then Harris began working from home.
“I totally changed – so much worse,” he says. “I had cereal bowls, the kids’ homework, bags of empty chips – whatever – spread out. There’s something about working from home that makes you lazy about your office, at least for me.”
After “a cleaning intervention” from his wife, Harris said he began getting back to his old ways. “But I had to start from the beginning. I cleared everything out of the space, got rid of things and slowly rebuilt my workspace.”
Spring cleaning your desk can help create a more organized and productive workspace. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help:
Clear the space: Start by removing everything from your desk. Place items on the floor or a nearby table so you have a clean surface to work with.
Declutter: Go through each item and decide whether you need to keep it, throw it away or find a new home for it. Be ruthless in decluttering. Ask yourself if you have used the item in the past few months and if it serves a purpose on your desk. Determine what you need to keep, what can be thrown away or recycled and what can be donated or stored elsewhere.
Organize paperwork: Sort through papers, files and documents. Create separate piles for items you need to keep, file, shred or throw away. Invest in folders or organizers to categorize and store important documents neatly into categories such as to-do, pending, reference and archive. Keep documents organized and easily accessible.
Clean the desk surface: That coffee stain that looks like Big Bird from “Sesame Street”? It’s time for it to go. Same with all the other gross spots on your desk. Use a damp cloth or cleaning wipes to wipe down the entire surface of your desk, including the top, sides and underneath. Pay attention to any spills, stains or sticky spots. Don’t forget to clean your computer monitor, keyboard and mouse as well.
Organize desk supplies: Gather all your office supplies – pens, pencils, scissors and sticky notes – and discard any dried-up pens or broken supplies. Use containers or trays to organize and store these items neatly on your desk.
Evaluate storage solutions: Consider investing in desk organizers, drawer dividers or shelves to help maximize storage space and keep your desk clutter-free. Choose solutions that fit your needs and the layout of your desk.
Clear digital clutter: Clean up your computer desktop and digital files. Delete unnecessary files and emails, organize folders and back up important data. Consider using cloud storage or external hard drives to keep your digital files organized and secure.
Review equipment: Check the condition of your computer, printer and other electronic equipment. Clean and maintain them as needed and consider upgrading or replacing outdated equipment.
Personalize your space: Add personal touches such as photos and plants to make your desk feel more inviting and inspiring. Just be mindful not to overcrowd your workspace with too many decorations.
Evaluate layout: Assess the layout of your workspace furniture to optimize space and workflow. Arrange furniture such as desks, chairs and cabinets in a way that promotes efficiency and comfort. Consider investing in ergonomic furniture to improve posture and reduce strain.
Create a system: Establish a system for managing incoming paperwork and keeping your desk organized on a daily basis. This could include setting aside time each week to declutter and file documents, as well as implementing habits like clearing your desk at the end of each day.
Maintain regularly: Make a habit of keeping your desk tidy and organized on a regular basis. Spend a few minutes each day putting away items, filing paperwork and wiping down surfaces to prevent clutter from accumulating.