Having and maintaining an organized desk and work area has many benefits. Most importantly, it helps you stay focused and enables you to get things done in an efficient manner. If you need help in this area, this post is for you! I will show you how to declutter your desk and keep it organized in 8 easy steps by applying the principles of the KonMari Method.
1) Evaluate & Envision
Think about the times you are spending time at the place you’re sitting down at your desk and your associated habits. For example, do you work from home and eat breakfast at your desk while checking emails? Take note of these things and evaluate if/how your current routine and habits are serving you. Envision your ideal work environment and desk habits. Write down a few key points. Keep this vision in mind and let it inform your choices as you proceed through the next steps.
2) Remove & Sort
Remove everything from your desk and clear out all other work-related storage units. And I mean EVERYTHING – even the little post-its and photos on your computer screen and other things like that. Sort everything into the following 4 categories: books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items; you can make sub-categories such as office supplies, tools, electronics, etc.) and mementos (sentimental items).
Vertical storage for laptops and iPads
3) Clean
Take the chance and clean your desk, your computer screen, keyboard and everything else. Chances are, dirt and dust bunnies have accumulated over time and you have never really had a chance to clean your work area thoroughly. So now is the perfect time!
4) Rearrange
Think about how your current set-up is serving you. Maybe you want to rearrange your entire desk or your computer. Or perhaps some of your filing cabinets would serve you better at a different spot. Make these adjustments now.
5) Declutter
Go through each item in the 4 main categories you created earlier. Tackle one category after the other and adhere to the suggested category order (read why here). Determine for each item if it “sparks joy”, if it is essential for your work and if it belongs in your work space.
6) Organize
Now it’s time to put the items you want to keep back on your desk and into related storage units. Store like items with like and store as items as possible in drawers and other related storage areas by your desk. Try to keep your desk surface as clear as possible. Make sure to assign a designated “home” to each item.
Labeled clear storage boxes for various USB connectors
7) Dispose
Regarding the items you no longer want to keep, determine which ones need to be tossed, recycled, donated or “re-homed” (e.g., books you borrowed that need to be returned to a colleague) and either do it immediately or make arrangements to do so in the near future.
8) Establish New Routines
Think back to your initial vision and determine if and how you want to establish new routines surrounding your work life and place. Also, in order for your desk to not return to a cluttered state again, make sure to put each item back to their designated “home” every day after you’re done working for the day.
(Lisa Tselebidis is a professional organizer and KonMari certified consultant offering in-home services in the NYC, New York-area as well as virtual services worldwide. Get in touch with her HERE.)
