The old me’s desk was often an organized array of chaos. By the end of the workday, it would appear to be straightened up, only to save myself the embarrassment of what my colleagues and the cleaning staff would think if I let it all hang out. Check my top drawer and you would have found my stash of Earl Grey tea and stack of miscellaneous notes-to-self. Evidence. I’m sure most of you can relate. Recently, however, I gave my workspace a belated spring-cleaning. I have found that instating a better sense of organization has done me a world of good. I have created a better system for fulfilling my day-to-day tasks, and found that when I am not wading through desk clutter and stunned by the disorder, my productivity is peaked. I hope that the following tips help you rediscover your desk’s Feng shui and sharpen your professional life overall.

Start small.  If you build up the chore of reorganizing your workspace into a major project, it will most likely end up as another notation on your to-do list (and may never get checked off). So, compartmentalize what little tasks need to be done to achieve your goal and take one step at a time. This will keep you from feeling overwhelmed, and won’t result in a full day of business getting pushed aside thanks to your untidy ways.

Create routines. Mental clutter can be defeated by structure. If you feel bombarded by everyday tasks, it is time to implement a method to your madness. Check your email and voicemail first thing in the morning to address urgent matters. Then, ask yourself what your priorities are for the day. We can’t always predict what will come up during a typical business day, but having the structure of a routine can keep you poised and on-track.

Use both to-do lists and calendars. Multi-tasking is an essential skill in the workplace, but even the sharpest mind can forget a detail here and there. It may seem simple, but keeping a pen and notepad handy can keep you reminded of details that could potentially get lost in the mix. Likewise, as soon as you learn of a long-term project or commitment, add it to your calendar. On the first of each month, revisit your calendar and make note of what needs to be taken care of in the following weeks. That way, nothing comes as a surprise as time flies by.

Not using it? Put it away. There should be a place for everything. When jumping from project to project, physically wrap up one project before mentally starting another. Clutter carried over from one project to another only creates frustration and subtracts from productivity.

Don’t packrat. It is human nature to hold on to things with sentimental value. However, in my recent reorganization, I found that I hold on to things that do not need to be kept. For example, one of our authors sent me a beautiful personal note of thanks many months ago. With appreciation, I kept this on my desk—to collect dust and create more clutter. He’s thankful. I’m thankful. Message received. Why does the physical card need to be held on to? Quite simply, it doesn’t. Let go of items that you don’t need. If you are too sentimentally attached to something to discard it, perhaps it belongs in a memory box instead of your workspace.

Create a system and stick with it. Inboxes don’t work for everyone. Before my reorganization, my inbox became just another receptacle to stuff things. If you are a fan of the inbox system, routinely empty it and utilize it as an organizational tool to separate present and future projects. I have found that a well-labeled filing system works best for me. It keeps papers off of my desk and allows me to immediately locate an item when I need it. No matter what system works for you, maintain it to prevent yourself from being back at square one.

Good luck and happy clutter busting!

About The Author: ahardin

Ashley Hardin is Publishing Coordinator at Ivy House Publishing Group. She graduated from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2006 with a degree in English Professional Writing. During her time at Slippery Rock, she authored a guidebook about her alma mater. Today, Ashley’s passion for the written word is a constant catalyst in her mission to assist independent authors in fulfilling their publishing dreams. Through her knowledge of language, communication, and current trends in the publishing industry, Ashley assists authors every step of the way in creating marketable, successful books of all genres. By authoring Ivy House’s quarterly newsletter, “Author’s Corner,” Ashley continues to share her publishing wisdom and marketing insight with the writing community. Ivy House continuously accepts unsolicited manuscripts of all genres. If you are interested in having your work evaluated, or just want to say hello, Ashley can be reached at ahardin@ivyhousebooks.com.

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