There never seems to be enough hours in the day (hence Kensington's creation), right?! When you're feeling frustrated & concerned with the inability to check-off your entire checklist, you don't always have to call in reinforcements (Kensington = Reinforcements). While it may seem like the last thing you have time to do, make time to clean your workspace. Often, research has shown, a clean workspace will make for fewer distractions & allow for your projects to get completed in a timelier manner.
Follow these steps to achieve a workable workspace
1. De-clutter the Computer: This step is a two-parter. Part One means to actually clean off the physical computer (remove sticky notes, wipe the key board & screen, etc.) Removing the visual distractions on your hardware will, over-time, add to your time spent on what's most important when working - work! Part Two of this step is to clean up your computer's desktop. In an effort to save time, don't spend too long on this step. Start by creating a computer file labeled "Desktop" and fill it with everything that is currently on your desktop (docs & applications alike). Remove all other items from your desktop visibility so you've got a clean workspace. *I personally like to add a solid, minimally distracting, background and/or screensaver (think solid white, light grey or light blue) so my screen is clean & serene looking. This helps me to embody these emotions, even on the most stressful of days.
2. Create 2 Piles for Organizing: The 2 piles you'll be creating are called "NOW" & "LATER". . .
- Lets start with your "LATER" pile: Begin to collect all the items from your desk which are associated with completed tasks and/or tasks without a deadline. Stack these items together & pop them into a file cabinet, box or bag nearby (see picture on right for example).
- Now, to the "NOW" pile: Collect anything that pertains to projects with an upcoming deadline, and/or projects you're currently working on. When collecting these items, place them with like papers/documents and file, or stack them accordingly. Next, place your most urgent items at the top of these documents so you have a grouping of items with most urgent to least urgent (this will help to guide you throughout the day). *If you'd like to go a step further, create labeled project file folders which hold all of said documents.
- Lets start with your "LATER" pile: Begin to collect all the items from your desk which are associated with completed tasks and/or tasks without a deadline. Stack these items together & pop them into a file cabinet, box or bag nearby (see picture on right for example).
- Now, to the "NOW" pile: Collect anything that pertains to projects with an upcoming deadline, and/or projects you're currently working on. When collecting these items, place them with like papers/documents and file, or stack them accordingly. Next, place your most urgent items at the top of these documents so you have a grouping of items with most urgent to least urgent (this will help to guide you throughout the day). *If you'd like to go a step further, create labeled project file folders which hold all of said documents.
3. Reduction: Take a look at the personal items in your space and begin to eliminate what you can. Invest in 1 picture frame which holds multiple pictures, or a cork board above your desk to hold your pictures nicely & neatly in one place, so you're desk is minimally cluttered with photographs. Also, do you have pens located in your desk drawer & laid amongst desktop? If so, reduce these down to one location. Choose one space & commit to keep to it (I recommend keeping all writing utensils in a nice jar/cup located atop your desk for the ease of quick grabbing). Do you have 3+ pads of paper floating on top of your desk or within your top drawer? If so, lose two (preferably to a file cabinet or storage drawer nearby), and keep one handy. You'll never lose important notes if they're all stored within one pad of paper.
4. Keep it Up: When a project ends, although you feel the pressure to move immediately onto the next, cycle through these methods (if you keep it up, this step will take mere minutes). Move your completed projects papers to the LATER pile and do a once-over on your desk to make sure its in perfect un-cluttered order.
5. Got a Second?: Whenever you've found yourself with a second to spare (whether the boss is M.I.A. or you're on an annoying overseas 40 minute phone-call hold), tend to your "LATER" pile or your computer's "Desktop" folder. Begin sorting through this mess of items. When cleaning up your "LATER" pile, create an organizational filing system (either physical or digital) for completed tasks & TBAT's (To Be Accomplished Tasks). If you're sifting through your digital docs, be sure to start slow & tackle one project at a time. For instance, start with pictures, and slowly sift through each item making sure to label & store it in its proper digital place. Continue this technique for all the documents in your "Desktop" file. You'll be surprised, time will pop up randomly & organization will find its way into your life (generally, before you could ever force-feed yourself with it on a TTD list).
I'm a firm believer in surrounding yourself with serenity in order to feel serenity. Its common practice to choose friends wisely because of their possible effect in your life - so why not carry this same methodology into the spaces where we spend an abundance of time? While we may not have the opportunity to decorate the entire corporate office, take control of what you can - your cube, your desktop, your laptop, etc.
If you'd like assistance with your organizing endeavors, please contact Kensington at (312) 204-7332. Please add questions to the comments section below - we'll be sure to answer quickly!
5. Got a Second?: Whenever you've found yourself with a second to spare (whether the boss is M.I.A. or you're on an annoying overseas 40 minute phone-call hold), tend to your "LATER" pile or your computer's "Desktop" folder. Begin sorting through this mess of items. When cleaning up your "LATER" pile, create an organizational filing system (either physical or digital) for completed tasks & TBAT's (To Be Accomplished Tasks). If you're sifting through your digital docs, be sure to start slow & tackle one project at a time. For instance, start with pictures, and slowly sift through each item making sure to label & store it in its proper digital place. Continue this technique for all the documents in your "Desktop" file. You'll be surprised, time will pop up randomly & organization will find its way into your life (generally, before you could ever force-feed yourself with it on a TTD list).
I'm a firm believer in surrounding yourself with serenity in order to feel serenity. Its common practice to choose friends wisely because of their possible effect in your life - so why not carry this same methodology into the spaces where we spend an abundance of time? While we may not have the opportunity to decorate the entire corporate office, take control of what you can - your cube, your desktop, your laptop, etc.
If you'd like assistance with your organizing endeavors, please contact Kensington at (312) 204-7332. Please add questions to the comments section below - we'll be sure to answer quickly!