An organized desk is a desk that sets the stage for success. Sadly, for many of us, an organized desk seems to be impossibility. We often arrive to find our desk exactly as we left it, covered with piles of papers and projects, an overwhelming vision to begin each day with.
In Feng Shui it is said that a cluttered mind = a confused mind, and a cluttered desk blocks the flow of energy and ideas, creating stagnation and inertia.
What can you do?
Begin by identifying your personal organizing style. I believe that there are 2 types of desk organization styles – files or piles.
You operate from piles if your desk is covered with them. If this sounds like you, the perfect organizers are a series of stacking trays. These trays allow you to continue to work from piles but they organize your piles in one place and in several sections. Clear is best as it allows you to see what’s inside each section.
You work from files if you prefer to store your work in folders that sit vertically in boxes, hanging files or vertical file holders of one type or another. There are lots of styles to choose from, to ensure a good choice, determine the amount of space you have available and then purchase.
To set yourself up for success, create a ‘to-do’ station that incorporates your personal filing style (piles vs. files) and has 3 sections. Label each section as follows:
- Do Now, this includes anything that must be done within a week
- Do Later, this includes longer term project, things that need to be done within the next month
- Pending, this includes things that require a response or input from someone else
Now comes the tricky part, begin to sort through your existing papers and ask yourself what the next step is for each item, then file it in the appropriate section of your ‘to-do’ station. Anything that doesn’t fit into one of the 3 ‘to-do’ stations listed above can be filed in a long -term storage file or thrown away.
To maintain your new organization system it’s important that you review it everyday. As you get new papers or mail, immediately sort it and place it in the appropriate station. Once a week, visit your ‘Do Later’ section and move items to the other sections of the ‘to-do’ station or if they are no longer needed throw them away.
At the end of each day, sort and clear your desk of all projects and papers, then each day will begin with a clean slate, clean energy and good Feng Shui - ready for new opportunities!
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