Work at Home Productivity Tips –

I personally am a huge advocate of keeping a tidy desk. If my desk is muddled, my head is muddled.

If my head is muddled, everything is muddled!

So I was thrilled to receive this fantastic article from Marcia Francois – 5 Steps to a Tidy Desk. 

I especially like the tip about keeping notes in one notebook. Having notes willy nilly all over the place has been a huge source of mess and a big waste of time and ideas for me – both in looking for them when I want them and in writing them down and then being unable to find them.  

5 Steps to a Tidy Desk – By Marcia Francois

You won't believe all the excuses I get from people about their untidy desks!

"It's because I'm creative" or "I know where everything is".

SOUND FAMILIAR?

This may very well be true.

However, for most people, an untidy desk makes you feel overwhelmed and out of control.

And how can you be productive when you're overwhelmed? Right?!

The good news is you can have a tidy desk in just 5 steps:

1. Set up your desk properly:  If you answer the phone with your left hand, then keep the phone to the left of your computer. Now this might seem obvious but you'll be surprised at the number of people I encounter who have to scramble and reach behind their computer to get to the phone. It's like that game Twister!

2. Touch each piece of paper once only: This is going to force you to make decisions – throw away, action, forward or file. Those are the only choices you have 😉

3. Have one notebook for all your notes: When you take messages or need to quickly jot down a note, write it in your ONE notebook. There should not be 10 post-it notes and lots of other pieces of paper on your desk. Better still, write the date on the top of every page so you can reference old information quickly. And start each day on a new page – literally!

4. Clear junk regularly: Every time you get up to go to the loo or for a coffee break, clear your desk of empty mugs, glasses, snacks, etc. The same goes for all those dry markers and pens that don't work. Throw them out!

5. Have only the papers you are actually working with on your desk: I have a rather strong fondness for plastic envelopes. I use these nifty tools to keep my many projects sorted. When I want to work on something, I just grab one of these and open up on my desk.

See? Easy!

You can also have a neat and tidy desk in just 5 steps.

Marcia Francois is a personal life coach and professional organiser who teaches small business owners and other busy people how to have more time, less stress and a more organised and fulfilled life. Visit www.takechargesolutions.org for your free Organise your Life e-book and the rest of your organising success pack.