Often times, regardless of our best efforts, many of us find ourselves dealing with clutter in our workspace. The impact of busy schedules, workload challenges, or simply having too many objects in your space can create messy areas that are distracting and have an impact the quality of work.
The good news is you’re not alone. We have some office cleaning tips that you can implement today to help you create a clutter-free environment. With a little knowledge and effort, you can feel better about your work area and boost your productivity.
Out with the Old
Making organization a priority is the first step. Whether it is a daily, weekly, or monthly decluttering, scheduling time to assess your area is key to keeping your workspace organized and clean.
Experts say that by sticking to a routine of organizing your area, including discarding anything that is no longer revenant or useful, is the key to getting your work done.
Organizing your workspace should include what you can see on your desk and inside desk drawers, binders, and areas under and around your desk.
Having a workspace that is clean and organized will help you stay focused, and tasks will feel less cumbersome in turn, which creates a more peaceful environment.
Go Paperless
Paper documents hinder the path to a clean and well-functioning office space, not to mention the environmental impact they have.
Today there are several tools available to help like file-syncing services and scanning apps that make digital storage a breeze.
Change can be challenging at first and a bit uncomfortable, but once you get the swing of going paperless, you will never look back.
Get a Desk Organizer
Every professional organizer is a big believer that everything should have a home. If you are you having a hard time finding things on your desk, giving each item a designated home can help. If you must keep paper documents it is best to use a file organizer.
Being disorganized can end up costing money in the long run. When you are unable to locate documents, you end up wasting time, may miss important details, or misplace critical paperwork, and it also gives an unprofessional impression.
Desk organizers are designed to provide a home for a variety of office supplies like pens, sticky notes, and paperclips. And if you must have hard copy documents, look for organizers that include a file holder – perfect for keeping folders and papers in one place.
Avoid Eating at Your Desk
One of the hardest office cleaning rules to stick with is not eating at your desk. Work can become overwhelming at times and it’s tempting to work through your lunch break, snacking as you check things off of your to-do list.
Eating at your desk can make your meal less enjoyable, plus it makes it near impossible to keep your workspace free of food debris and smells. If you are eating at your desk, you may also be unknowingly inviting unwanted guests like mice and insects to hang out in your workspace.
Let’s not forget self-care. A recent survey showed that only one in five office workers reported taking an actual lunch break away from their desk. Yet taking a break–even for 15 to 20 minutes–is a proven way to sustain concentration and energy levels throughout the day.
Organize Digital Files
Just because you’ve gone paperless, it doesn’t mean your digital files magically stay in order. By creating designated and labeled digital file folders, you can avoid having a messy desktop.
Depending on your industry, you can set your folders up by assignments, projects, clients, or by years. The best way to master this is by making it a habit to work on them as you use them. It is important to schedule time to periodically review the files as a disorganized desktop or digital drive can be just as overwhelming as a messy desk.
Our Favorite Office Organizing Tip
Every Friday, take 5 to 10 minutes before you leave work and file away the contents of your desk. Take a moment to prepare for what will you need Monday and sort what you will need for the following week. File all your loose papers and dispose of any trash. The result? A clean and organized Monday, ready for you to dominate your to-do list.
An organized desk saves you time, establishes you as a consummate professional, fosters your creative mind, and reduces stress. What’s not to love about that?