How to Organize a Work Desk

You get a desk job and sit at your new desk. Of course, it's a mess. How do you organize?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• file folders & tabs, 3 ring binders

1. 1-review your job description and note your task areas... example: take care of the coffee pot, in charge of recycling, report on the warehouse stock

2. 2 - divide all the existing files, clippings, books, random pieces of paper and other stuff into piles... one pile per task noted in step 1

3. 3 - put anything that seems useful for daily operations/management or recurring reports in a binder for that task - then it's easy to grab the binder to report to whomever - put the binders on your work desk... put all the other paper and stuff into file folders and file or pile by task and file in cabinet or under binder on your desk.. label everything

4. 4- keep a current calendar and points of contact by your phone...put all associated supplies in the desk, not on it, including 'personal' staplers/etc... limit silly, useless items and photos

5. 5 - during your first month file by task and update your binder with relevant material...keep silly stuff off the desk!

6. 6 - after first month sort through binders and folders and archive needless info/files... put all references/books in one part of shelf/drawer

7. 7 - annually, perhaps during Xmas/New Year's review all binders/files and shred the high percentage of stuff that is useless...if it doesn't help your job (or search for new job) then get rid of it

Tips & Warnings

• keep organized
• ensure files follow company standard
• ensure boss understands your file/binder system and how to find info in your absence