Is your desk messy? Do you find yourself fidgeting and fiddling with the same piece of paper or task without actually taking action on it? If so, it is definitely time to get organized and prioritize the information that is all around you. Follow these simple steps to achieve a 'mess free desk' and start enjoying, as a result, a less stressed work day.

Step #1: An Overview of How to Manage All That Information

As much as we would like to say that we have or work in a paperless office this is not true by a long shot. This is why it is key to come up with a good way to organize and manage this information before it gets out of hand!

Step #2: Getting the Right Tools

Just In (a.k.a. In Box) - Get yourself a standard stackable letter tray where you can put any and all documents that don't yet have a place to go. Memos, print outs and random items that have landed on your desk should go in here.

Pending Box - This tray should have all of the items that you don't have time to take care of right away however when you have time you will get to them. They may be articles you plan on reading or information about an event you plan on attending.

Action Box - This is where you are going to place any and all items that will take more than 2 minutes to do. If you can't get it done right away (2 minutes or less) put it here.

Current Projects - For this use a file rack or small file box to hold folders for active projects. Create one folder per project.

Filing Cabinet - Here is where you are going to put all of your finished projects along with any of their associated files.

Dump Area - Set yourself up with a Trash Can and a Shredder. If you recycle then get a recycling box as well. Anything that you are done with either trash it, shred it or recycle it. Get it off your desk.

Step #3: Getting Organized

Now that you have your tools it is time to put them to proper use.

The first step is to process all of the papers on your desk into your 'Just In' tray. If it doesn't fit, just stack it up beside it. Now go through each item and ask yourself, can I do this right now in less than 2 minutes?

If yes, do it!

If not, then put it into your Action Box for later completion.

If the document has no immediate action for you to do then you can either Trash It, put it in your Pending Box or file it in your filing cabinet.

Step #4: Review & Take Action

Like all good systems you need to take action or nothing will get done. The most important part of this system is setting up the time to review and process your Just In and Action boxes.

Daily - Process your Just In box as often as you like during the day however it must be at least two times. Once around noon and just before you leave might be a good starting point.

Weekly - At the end of a week move any completed projects from your On Table Rack to your filing cabinet. Go through your Pending tray and see if there is anything there that you want to take action on. If so, move it to your Action Tray.

Monthly - At the end of each month go through your filing cabinet and weed out any documents and files that you think you might not need anymore. No sense in keep clutter.

And above all TAKE ACTION. Just because you have filed it doesn't mean that you don't have to do it!


About the Author

Kyle Rodeck Merchant Corner http://www.merchantcorner.com Kyle has navigated through the Internet for over 11 years and has a strong understanding of Shopsite, Search Engine Optimization and how to take businesses to the next level!