De-Cluttering the Office

Keeping your office de-cluttered may have different interpretations depending on whom you address. For some workers keeping a de-cluttered office means taking out your office trash once every two weeks. Someone else may see a de-cluttered office as not having any loose papers on your desk, your stapler is tucked away in your desk drawer, and your paperclips are all in its proper container. Whatever your interpretation, de-cluttering your office can help give you a clear mental disposition for maintaining an organized office area.

• Clean. De-cluttering your office is a great time to bring out the cleaning supplies. Take the opportunity to organize and clean your office.
• Centralize. Find an area you will use to place all the items you take out your office. This area will allow you to separate what you need to keep and what you can throw out. Bring plastic bags to dump paperwork that you do not need. A shredder is a valuable office asset for discarding confidential or sensitive information.
• Finish one area before starting another. Clear out one section of your office at a time. The accomplishment of organizing parts of your office will provide you with the motivational fortitude to continue striving to complete the de-cluttering task of your office. Returning excess office supplies back to the supply closets will de-cutter your office. Keep the necessary manila folders, sticky pads, pens, and staples you will need to get your work done.
• Organizing speaks. The efficiency projected by you to your supervisors due to an organized office speaks volumes with or without your office presence. The ability for your supervisor to find information in your office when you are out sick will provide a sense of confidence to your supervisor that you are doing your job. The image of a de-cluttered office will loosen up any micro-management tendency your manager may have due to the efficiency your office area portrays. Many people are working from home offices. Creating a comfortable yet office environment in your home can assist home office employees to generate more work due to the important image the home office mental image produces. A de-cluttered office will provide the ability to find information quickly that will support the home employee to accomplish his or her tasks in a time expedient manner.
• Work is for work. If you work from home, avoid the urge to leave laundry baskets or home oriented project items in your work area. If need be, section off your office area in your room to define your workspace. Paint or use office supplies and furniture to provide you and your family with an office environment for your work area.

Treat your office as an office. Returning excess office supplies back to the supply closets or cabinets will de-clutter your office. The ability to find an important document quickly in a de-cluttered office can mean the difference between gaining and losing a valued customer.