If you work from home, you’ll know just how difficult it can be to ‘stay tidy’, even with the best intentions!
As an ex-PA (or perhaps still one at heart), I’ve always worked in a tidy fashion. My office is my sanctuary, and back when I supported five board directors at once, I knew staying organised was essential.
Declutter office may be a much-used phrase, but it’s never been more important. With many of us now working remotely, a clear space equals a clear mind.
Here are my tried-and-tested tips to create a clutter-free, productive office.
My golden rules for a tidy office
- Keep your desk clear – Only have on your desk what you are working on right now. Everything else can be neatly set aside to help you stay focused.
- Use a pen pot – Keep all your pens and small items contained.
- Have a bin to hand – Dispose of rubbish immediately instead of letting it pile up.
- Organise paperwork into trays – One for “Action” (what you’re working on now) and one for “Pending” (things you’re waiting on).
- Invest in a filing cabinet – Folders can only do so much before they become clutter. Filing cabinets offer a lasting solution for paperwork.
- Archive what you don’t need daily – Use clearly labelled archive boxes and store them neatly out of the way.
- Be ruthless with old paperwork – You do not need to keep seven years of paperwork unless you run a business. Take a photo and store it on your computer instead of gathering piles you’ll never need.
- Shred confidential papers – Purchase a shredder to keep by your desk. It only takes seconds to dispose of sensitive documents properly.
- Storage is your friend – IKEA is great for office storage solutions. Use office-style boxes for stationery. In other words: a place for everything and everything in its place.
Some simple rules can be applied to your office space, rules that can also be utilised in other areas of your home.
Why it matters
As with any area of the home, your office space deserves to feel inspiring and welcoming – a place you actually want to spend time in. A decluttered office not only makes work more enjoyable, but also helps you feel calmer, clearer, and more persuasive in your day-to-day life.
Once you’ve decided what can stay and what can go, and implemented simple systems with everything having a home and being clearly labelled, you’ll find it so much easier to keep on top of things.
Declutter office may soon become a Google search you never need to make again!
Small steps today will create a big difference tomorrow. You’ve got this.