How to Declutter: Tips for Office Organization

Create an organization system for that stack of papers.

If you are always having to shuffle papers around in order to create a workspace or clear chairs for people to sit in or have growing stacks of paper that don't shrink, it's time to declutter your office. While it is true that clutter can be a sign of productivity and hard work, it can also be a pitfall when trying to find an important document or a trap that will accidentally lead you to leave private information out in the open.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Give yourself time to work. Organizing an office may take more than just a couple of hours after lunch. If you want to do things right the first time, make time to tackle your clutter all at once.

2. Purchase items to help you get and stay organized. For example, if you have stacks of papers everywhere, but nowhere to keep them, buy a file cabinet or sturdy plastic file box, hanging files and file folders.

3. Evaluate how you want to use your office. Create an area designated as your "premium space"; this is the most convenient space for items you use often. Your "secondary space" should be delegated to items you might look need a few times a week (like a file cabinet). Store items you have to keep for a specific amount of time, but will never look at (like documents) in file boxes that are labeled and placed in an area away from your immediate office space.

4. Start with the papers on your desk. Grab all your papers and notes and begin sorting them into different piles: a this-needs-attention pile; a this-person-needs-to-be-called/emailed pile; papers to file; a shred pile for papers that contain confidential information but are no longer needed; and a pile of papers that can be recycled. Take care of each pile of papers accordingly.

5. Create an organization system. If your pens need a home, find a clean coffee mug. Keep paperclips in a plastic zipper bag and store them in your desk. Purchase stackable trays that will allow you to keep the "things to do" papers separate from the "things to put away" stack. If sticky notes are your day planner, arrange them in a way that allows you to finish the tasks on your notes efficiently.

6. Set up a routine. Once everything is organized, get in the habit of organizing as you go: If you take something out, put it away when you're done. Take five to 10 minutes a couple days a week to file papers that should have been put away, take out the trash and tackle other tasks to keep your organization system under control.

References

• Marilyn Bohn: How to Organize Clutter
• Organize Tips: What to Do When Your Desk Is a Disaster
• Home Organization Help: Organizing Your Office for Maximum Efficiency