7 Steps to Freeing Your Desk of Clutter
Let a calm, clutter-free desk inspire creative and productive work
Whether you work from home or in a corporate space, the state of your desk often reflects the state of your mind. Papers, files, stationery and personal items pile up on our desks and the result of this clutter is unproductive work time. And as for your creativity, it’s hard to be creative when you’re surrounded by chaos. Here are some great ideas on ways to clear the clutter and increase your creativity.
1. Clear the clutter
You may have heard it said, ‘Your desk is a reflection of the state of your mind’. I like to say, ‘Cluttered desk, cluttered mind’. Suffice to say that if you have a cluttered chaotic desk, it’s unlikely you’re going to be working at your full capacity or experiencing the kind of creativity and productivity you’d like.
You may have heard it said, ‘Your desk is a reflection of the state of your mind’. I like to say, ‘Cluttered desk, cluttered mind’. Suffice to say that if you have a cluttered chaotic desk, it’s unlikely you’re going to be working at your full capacity or experiencing the kind of creativity and productivity you’d like.
Having a clear desk isn’t just about sweeping everything into a drawer; it’s about deciding what you would like your work space to feel like, and setting up systems to support that vision. This office has the storage system behind the work space, which means everything’s there when you need it without it being on the desk.
2. Identify the basics
Ask yourself; what are the few essential items you must have on your desk? Your occupation will partly determine what the essentials are to have on your desk. If you’re a fashion designer, you’ll probably need a computer as well as your design tablet, and maybe a range of pens and paper for sketching. If you’re a web designer, you may have a need for running dual monitors, but you don’t need much else on your desk.
How to sneak home organisation into daily routines
Ask yourself; what are the few essential items you must have on your desk? Your occupation will partly determine what the essentials are to have on your desk. If you’re a fashion designer, you’ll probably need a computer as well as your design tablet, and maybe a range of pens and paper for sketching. If you’re a web designer, you may have a need for running dual monitors, but you don’t need much else on your desk.
How to sneak home organisation into daily routines
Consider the essential items you need to keep within arm’s reach, and store all other things off your desk. You may choose to have some organised drawers or shelving for storage, just remember to keep these organised, otherwise you’re just transferring the clutter.
3. Create space
Having a large area of clear space on your desk will help you stay focused on your work. If you’re anything like me, you’re easily distracted. I need to remove any distractions in order to work productively.
Having a large area of clear space on your desk will help you stay focused on your work. If you’re anything like me, you’re easily distracted. I need to remove any distractions in order to work productively.
I work with lots of creative people, and they all report back after we’ve decluttered their desks and offices that they’ve been more creative than they have in years. This is because the clear space sparks creativity. Our minds love empty space to create in, while clutter is both visually and energetically disruptive to our creative flow.
Live in clutter-free but character-filled spaces
Live in clutter-free but character-filled spaces
4. Spark creativity
Once you have cleared your desk completely, I recommend sitting for 15 minutes with just a pen and paper in front of you, and write down any ideas that come into your head. Oh the places your mind will take you. I find this really helpful when I’m feeling a creative block in my mind, and each time I come away with gold that was inside me the whole time, but I was too busy to listen.
Once you have cleared your desk completely, I recommend sitting for 15 minutes with just a pen and paper in front of you, and write down any ideas that come into your head. Oh the places your mind will take you. I find this really helpful when I’m feeling a creative block in my mind, and each time I come away with gold that was inside me the whole time, but I was too busy to listen.
5. Set up an in-tray
Create a really simple place that you can drop papers/mail into and deal with daily. Rather than having piles on your desk and papers floating around, having a single place they can land when they come into your office will reduce the clutter.
Create a really simple place that you can drop papers/mail into and deal with daily. Rather than having piles on your desk and papers floating around, having a single place they can land when they come into your office will reduce the clutter.
6. Avoid piles
Another suggestion is: don’t pile anything on your desk. Anything at all when piled becomes overwhelming. And piles tend to bring with them a feeling of avoidance – no matter how big the pile, it always seems like such an effort to sort through. Use an upright filing system so you can access everything quickly and nothing gets lost at the bottom of an overwhelming stack of stuff.
Another suggestion is: don’t pile anything on your desk. Anything at all when piled becomes overwhelming. And piles tend to bring with them a feeling of avoidance – no matter how big the pile, it always seems like such an effort to sort through. Use an upright filing system so you can access everything quickly and nothing gets lost at the bottom of an overwhelming stack of stuff.
7. Introduce calm
For many people, work is tiring and on occasions uninspiring. Change the feel of your desk space by introducing a few beautiful items that both calm you and remind you of why you do what you do.
For many people, work is tiring and on occasions uninspiring. Change the feel of your desk space by introducing a few beautiful items that both calm you and remind you of why you do what you do.
On my desk I have an inspiring quote as well as a photo of my kids. I often have a candle burning because these things bring a sense of calm as well perspective.
It may take you a few hours to declutter your desk initially, but by putting some boundaries and systems in place you’ll be able to keep it organised.
Tip: Each night before you finish for the day, take one minute to tidy your desk so you can start each new day with a clear desk ready for an influx of creativity and productivity.
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What good work-at-home habits do you have and can share? Let us know in the Comments section.
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Tip: Each night before you finish for the day, take one minute to tidy your desk so you can start each new day with a clear desk ready for an influx of creativity and productivity.
TELL US
What good work-at-home habits do you have and can share? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Read more home office stories
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