By Jacky Xu
This might be your first time to hear it, but we will repeat it: A cluttered workspace is a cluttered mind.
For one, clutter makes it difficult for you to focus. That’s because there is a mess on your table that is taking your attention.
It can also hamper your productivity. Because instead of picking up a pen, you have to spend a minute or two searching for it.
Whether you work in an office or at home, it is imperative to have a clean and organized work desk. Other than being inviting, it also motivates you to get things done.
That said, here are six tips on how you can organize your office supplies to boost workplace productivity:
Choose the Right Desk
If you work in an office, you may have nothing to do with the desk provided to you. But if you are working from home, the first step to a productive workday is to choose the right desk.
Choose a work desk that is large enough to accommodate your laptop and tools that you use often. However, you do not need something that takes too much space. Hence, you should also consider the area where you will place your desk.
Consider Your Workflow
Here’s the thing: The reason you have a messy office table is because you are not using about half of the items on it. The key to organizing your work desk is to consider your workflow.
Robert Half suggests that you remove all the items on your table on a Monday morning. As you work through the day, add the items you will need to get work done. That way, you will only accumulate things that you are using on your desk.
As for the remaining items on the floor, consider finding a new home for them. Anything that is of no use should be disposed of.
Limit Your Personal Knick-knacks
As mentioned earlier, the majority of clutter on your desk are items you are not using. If you want to make the most of your workspace, we suggest that you go easy on your personal knick-knacks.
Sure, it is okay to have a photo frame of your loved ones on your desk. It can also help if you have a space for a small air purifier on your office table. But too many trinkets and souvenirs can be distracting.
Hence, just like with your office supplies, only place personal knick-knacks that you will need. After all, your office table is meant for working and for displaying your collections.
Go Easy on Sticky Notes
We know how important it is to be reminded of your to-dos. However, too many sticky notes on your desk can create visual clutter.
One alternative you can do is use your laptop or desktop sticky notes feature. You can also use productivity apps or tools to receive mobile notifications of your tasks for the day.
Bullet journaling is also growing in popularity when it comes to making people organized and productive. So, if you still cannot let go of pen and paper, perhaps using bujo is the way to go.
Always Have an Empty Space
In case you have everything in order and still have ample space, we suggest not filling it with any items.
In fact, it would be best to have a space near your dominant hand. It should be large enough to accommodate a legal-sized paper. This space could come in handy when you need to sign documents or take down notes.
Declutter Regularly
Of course, the best way to organize your office supplies to improve productivity is to declutter. And it is something that you should do regularly.
For one, it is inevitable to collect things over time. You need to replace old supplies, documents will pile up, and your drawers will start to fill up with unused items.
Hence, at Maid Sailors Home Cleaning Services NYC, we reiterate the importance of regularly decluttering your space. It can be as simple as dusting and wiping off your belongings. Or you can also hire a professional home cleaner so you can spend the free time instead of bonding with your family.
What’s important is that you include regular maintenance into your schedule.
Conclusion: A Clean Office Desk is a Productive Office Desk
An organized office supply and clutter-free desk are more than just having a visually-pleasing space to work. It allows you to reap the following benefits:
- Focus and efficiency
- Maximized time in doing things that matter
- Streamlined work process
- Improve health and work-life balance
- Positivity
If you are not achieving any of the benefits listed above, then it is time to do a major clean of your office desk. That way, you will have a clean and sanitized workspace.
And with a clean office desk comes an elevated quality of work, a boost in your efficiency, and improvement in your productivity.