Desks seem to be a magnet for clutter. The top of the desk is “prime real estate”: it is your workspace. Keep the area cleared off, except for the job you’re working on. The easiest way to gain more desk space: Hang family photos and certificates on the wall.
People who like visual cues often prefer to have items used on a daily basis stored on the desktop: pens, stapler, paper clips, post its, etc. Use one desktop organizers for these often used items. Current projects can be neatly stored in a desktop file or in hanging wall files. (Wall files mean more work space.)
People who prefer to have items tucked away could use the most convenient desk drawer to store those items used daily. Use a drawer organizer so the items are sorted and easy to locate. Current projects can be stored in the front of a file drawer that you can reach easily from your chair, typically on the right for a right-handed person and on the left for a left-handed person.
First, determine which of the above methods would work for you, and then make these small changes to reclaim your workspace.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
“It’s Time For Change!”
Sorry, with this being inauguration day, I couldn’t resist. This is truly an historic day, no matter what your political views!
Getting more organized is one of the top ten New Year’s resolutions people make. Is it one of your resolutions? What space in your home do you look at and think, “It’s time for change”? What steps have you made to get organized?
Thinking about getting organized DOES count as a start. This is planning time. What do you want to change? Envision what you would like the organized space to look like. What do you use the space for? What is working for you in this area? What isn’t working? What items belong here, but you can never find? What doesn’t belong here, but you always find here?
Now, bear with me as I use another quote, “Just Do It”. Getting started is always the hardest part. Set a date, write it in ink in your calendar, and do not cancel this important appointment with yourself. Having a person to cheer, encourage, and help you as you work on the project can keep you motivated and makes the job more fun.
See the April 30, 2008 article, “Five Steps to Get Rid of Clutter” for guidelines that may be helpful in completing your organizing project. Recognize what needs to be changed, make a plan, and do it!
Getting more organized is one of the top ten New Year’s resolutions people make. Is it one of your resolutions? What space in your home do you look at and think, “It’s time for change”? What steps have you made to get organized?
Thinking about getting organized DOES count as a start. This is planning time. What do you want to change? Envision what you would like the organized space to look like. What do you use the space for? What is working for you in this area? What isn’t working? What items belong here, but you can never find? What doesn’t belong here, but you always find here?
Now, bear with me as I use another quote, “Just Do It”. Getting started is always the hardest part. Set a date, write it in ink in your calendar, and do not cancel this important appointment with yourself. Having a person to cheer, encourage, and help you as you work on the project can keep you motivated and makes the job more fun.
See the April 30, 2008 article, “Five Steps to Get Rid of Clutter” for guidelines that may be helpful in completing your organizing project. Recognize what needs to be changed, make a plan, and do it!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Double Wammy - Toys, Toys, Toys
My home has been hit by a “double wammy”. In the past month, not only have we celebrated Christmas, all three of my children have celebrated their birthdays. You can guess where I’m going with this. We have had an influx of new toys, gadgets, and games.
How do keep the flood of gifts from throwing your home into a jumbled mess? You need to make space for the new items by purging. Get rid of what the kids are no longer playing with. Donate, toss, or sell the items, just get them out of the home.
Next, find a “home” for all the new items. Some toys may fit into already designated spots. The new doll can join the basket of other dolls. New containers may need to be purchased & labeled for a new category of items, such as the coin collecting kit.
The assigned “home” should be as close to the area the toy is used as possible, so the doll basket will go next to the doll house, the tricycle in the basement or garage, and the science kit near the kitchen sink.
How do keep the flood of gifts from throwing your home into a jumbled mess? You need to make space for the new items by purging. Get rid of what the kids are no longer playing with. Donate, toss, or sell the items, just get them out of the home.
Next, find a “home” for all the new items. Some toys may fit into already designated spots. The new doll can join the basket of other dolls. New containers may need to be purchased & labeled for a new category of items, such as the coin collecting kit.
The assigned “home” should be as close to the area the toy is used as possible, so the doll basket will go next to the doll house, the tricycle in the basement or garage, and the science kit near the kitchen sink.
Avoid the overwhelming feeling of chaos. Get into the routine of getting rid of unused items and assigning a specific spot for every item in the home. In this way, keeping control of all the “stuff” becomes much more manageable.
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