A businessman from the Philippines once gave me priceless advice. He said, “Clear off your office desk every night before you leave. You’ll be thankful in the morning.” Since then, I have tried to do that very thing every evening before I leave. And I have seen numerous benefits from maintaining a clutterfree desk:
- Less Distraction. A cluttered office desk is filled with potential distractions. Sticky-notes, business cards, file folders, and uncompleted projects all clamor for our attention every moment of the day. Removing them and creating a minimalist desk allows our mind to better focus on the most important project of the moment: the one you are working on.
- More Freedom. A minimalist desk grants freedom to pursue the project of your choosing. Your to-do list is not held captive by the folders on your desk. It is determined by you – even if you are getting direction from someone else.
- New Opportunity. A new day brings new opportunities and the potential to accomplish something great. Walking into an office with yesterday’s work still visible immediately anchors you to the past, tying yesterday’s rope to today’s potential. But a clean desk breeds life, encouragement, and endless possibilities. Even if your new day is going to consist of completing yesterday’s project, starting again or reopening the file offers new opportunities and a new way to see a problem or accomplish a task.
- Increased Reputation. A clean desk indicates a clean and focused mind. It makes you look efficient, accomplished, thorough, and organized. And while nothing can replace a job well done, a clear desk can only help improve your reputation among your co-workers.
Granted, a minimalist desk comes more naturally to some than others. But I stand as proof that the principle of a clean desk can be applied to any worker’s personality. Here are six steps that I have found particularly helpful in making the transition:
- Reduce your Office Items. The first step in keeping your desk minimalistic is keeping fewer things on it and around it. Seems simple enough… almost so simple that it often gets overlooked. Take a look around your desk surface. What doesn’t absolutely need to be there? Photos, calendars, books, supplies, and food should all be considered. If it’s not essential, remove it permanently.
- Use Drawers. Using drawers isn’t cheating, it’s smart. It keeps your projects, tools, and supplies at your fingertips while still removing them from your line of sight. In my drawers, I store all of my supplies (pens, stapler, etc.) and my current projects. My current projects are stored in labeled folders in my top drawer for easy access. And only the current project that I’m working on gets to be on my actual desk surface.
- Finish Your Projects. One of the biggest enemies of desk clutter is unfinished projects. Sometimes, they lay on our desks for weeks distracting us and taunting us. The mind clutter of an unfinished project can be crippling at times. If the project can be completed in less than 20 minutes, see it through to completion right away. If the project will take longer, find a drawer to store it in until you are ready to pull it out and work on it again.
- Store Things Digitally. A simple Contacts program and Tasks program can probably remove 95-100% of the notes cluttering your workspace (I have always used Microsoft Outlook). Find one and learn to use it. Those sticky-notes will no longer clutter your screen or distract your mind. And you’ll never lose one again either. I have found this method to be both liberating and essential.
- Limit Computer Distractions. While your computer can be essential in helping to eliminate the clutter from your desk, it can provide distraction of its own. Help your cause by decluttering your computer desktop along with your physical desk. For starters, find a non-distracting wallpaper image and remove all unnecessary icons.
- Set aside 5 minutes. Take the last 5 minutes of every day to clear the surface of your desk. Rest assured that once you get started with the habit, it’ll take far less than 5 minutes. But set that much aside at the beginning. Trust me, your morning you will thank you.
A clear and minimalist office desk will grant you more focus, peace of mind, and productivity. And that’s good for both you and your company.
Steven says
Very sound advice! This should be mandatory reading for any organization that wants to help its employees de-clutter. Most of my work is completely digital (I don’t have a desk) but I can still apply some of these things for digital folders. I should also consider setting aside a few minutes each day. I will take your suggestions seriously!
joshua becker says
Thanks. And I will take your suggestion of making this mandatory reading for every organization seriously too!
Gip @ So Much More Life says
I’ve written several times on my blog about the little pieces of paper that clutter my desk. They’re a good thing for me because they’re a sign of creativity flowing again. When I was a bookseller only and not writing, there weren’t any little pieces of paper.
I jot down bits of information and post ideas — whatever comes to mind. I enjoy having the ideas at hand — and I also enjoy throwing pieces of paper away when I’ve either written the idea of abandoned it.
I did reduce the size of my desk area as part of my decluttering this year. I like my little pieces of paper, but I don’t need piles of half-finished projects everywhere. Fewer flat surfaces means less clutter.
Gip
joshua becker says
Thanks Gip. Sounds like you’ve got it figured out, man.
Sarah Beam says
The greatest gripe I always had about my clean desk is that Other People put things on my desk that need my attention (sticky notes, phone messages, incoming mail and projects). To keep my clean desk actually clean, I put an attractive, simple inbox on the corner of my desk, and trained others to only put items in there. Then, when I am back at my desk, I only have one pile to sort instead of stuff left everywhere. And upon sitting, I take that one pile and sort it quickly into the proper out-of-sight folders.
I am happy. Others are happy. My desk stays clean.
joshua becker says
Great idea Sarah. Work arrives at our desks from a variety of different avenues. Sounds like you’ve found a good working system to handle it.
The Everyday Minimalist says
I have a cluttered nesting area, but I tend to clean it up once it gets out of control.
Store Things Digitally is the best tip I have ever taken for myself. I throw EVERYTHING I can onto my iPod Touch and then check it off as I go
joshua becker says
I agree. It took me awhile to find a good digital system that worked for me and my personality. But once I did, it was totally worth the effort.
jenny says
I really believe in a clean desk. Because a cluttered desk equates to a cluttered mind is what I heard
old always says
Such a deep answer! GD&RVVF
Eric says
Quality list Joshua!
I was a desktop Icon hoarder for the longest time.
I still have a lot of Icon’s on the work PC, but nothing I can get rid of as I don’t have admin rights. I do manage to keep my desk as clutter free as possible. Less visual clutter allows you to focus on tasks at hand instead of wasting time locating things.
I have scrubbed out all the unused Icons on the home PC, and try to keep the space as clean as possible. I don’t utilize a big bulky desk either, I use the Elfa Shelving system as a desk as the floating effect on the wall makes the desk seem more stream line and simple. Just the way I like it!
Keep bringin’ it Joshua!
Eric
Abhishek says
If I do not touch something twice a day, it does not belong on my desk. It belongs in appropriate storage.
Right now on my work desk:
desk phone
glass of water
cup of coffee
britta water filter jug
LCD monitor
wireless keyboard/mouse
fan (I take a walk at lunch and it gets hot in Florida)
desktop
composite picture frame of family and dog pictures
The desktop will move under the desk on a Printer Cart. I dont want to hear it’s fan go off every time…and I only touch it once a week.
Note taking is on Notepad app. I keep a physical notepad in my stationary drawer for meetings (I can not take my desktop to meetings)
joshua becker says
Maybe just move the computer fan closer to your face and get rid of the desk fan… just kidding. Thanks for the detailed reply.
Abhishek says
My desk at home is even more radical. It is a dresser with my MacBook on it. It is the perfect standing desk. I can always sit with it on the couch or the bed to take the weight off my feet.
A book shelf houses two wire-hanging-folder holders in the bottom shelf where I keep misc. paperwork.
http://www.mnmlstlife.com/archives/46
Sara R says
I couldn’t agree more!
I keep my personal desk completely clear except for computer, typewriter, small notebook, and pen. I love not having clutter or distractions around while I write – it seems to fuel my creativity.
Maintaining my work desk is a little harder as a certain amount of paperwork is required, but I do find myself much more productive when I make the effort to keep it organized!
sara
Lynn says
My desk isn’t a work desk but a personal time one, yet I think I need to follow this. I have been feeling very cluttered over here lately so I think I will take a few minutes after lunch to clear off everything but my phone and coffee cup. I’ve been thinking about doing it and your post is simply inspiration!
joshua becker says
Glad to provide the nudge.
Vanessa Hayes says
Joshua- Absolutely fantastic post! I truly believe that a clean desk increases productivity. I have to admit that item #5 above “Limit Computer Distractions” is my weakness…sometimes I just can’t help but chase the rabbit down the rabbit hole and before you know it I go from blog research to checking out gadgets on Amazon! On more than one occasion that rabbit led me to your blog too! I did a desk organization post not too long ago at http://goo.gl/DiKRt and was surprised how many people were irked by cords (cords are my nemesis) like me. I use velcro straps to corral them as much as I can. Do you have any recommendations? I’ve seen some cool products by Blue Lounge… I’d love to hear your thoughts! Thx for your amazing blog!
joshua becker says
Next time, skip the rabbit trail and just start here. Tough call on the cords. I’m not a great “organization” guy – I’m a better “just have less” guy. But I agree, I hate the sight of cords too and always make the effort to hide them.
dan salem says
you have some amazing thots and i would love to utilize them but i can’t cause i dont have a DESK. i really want one but my wife is a min @ wont let me get one