A clean desk

How clean is your desk and office?   Are you presenting a a healthy image to visitors?  Are you well organized or is there too much clutter and junk?  

Several weeks ago new employment at a new employer allowed me to rethink how I manage my workspace.  A started with a few foundational approaches.   Minimal hardcopy dependency and retention was the 1st rule implemented.  This was difficult for me as I am a pack rat who thinks there is a need to have a hard record of everything.   

A second approach to pursue was a combination of minimal stuff on the desk throughout the day and a clean desk at the end of the day when I go home.   I implemented this approach about 20 years ago upon a job promotion and new office at that time.  Good organization of manila folders and hanging folders are key.  At the end of the day, everything on the desk is cleansed and placed away.  There are a few special color hanging folders at the front of the desk drawer that reflect current activities or projects.

The last and yet most important factor is my To-Do list management.   I have a very small, thin portfolio sporting a writing tablet where I manage my daily prioritized To-Do activities and very quick notes.  While I have tried technology solutions like desktop tools (or PDAs in the past), they don't always fit well within corporate rules and boundaries, and are not always as accessable, portable and quickly usable as one would wish.   I also exploit my Microsoft Outlook - extensive use of folders, categories, Notes and Tasks functions.   As an example I have a 'standing' Note in Outlook where I capture notes and thoughts throughout the week to add to an agenda for a weekly project status meeting.

Here is another article for your review on this topic:  Does Your Desk Tell Secrets About You?