When it comes to working, there’s always a need to do more in less time. One of the simplest ways to raise your productivity is to keep your workspace organised. It makes your workflow smoother and more efficient by making sure you don’t waste time looking for items or documents that you need. It also helps you move around better, both in your physical workspace and your digital one. Here are some relatively easy suggestions for you to follow as a start.
Don’t be Shy to Label
You might think that since you’ll be the one organising your workspace, it will only be a waste of time to label your folders and containers. However, doing so will encourage you to put objects where they are supposed to go instead of placing them on temporary spots and eventually forgetting about them. Also, this makes it easier for your colleagues to retrieve items from your desk whenever necessary. If you’re doing some intensive organising, then you might want to have a sign and label printer handy.
Throw Away Unnecessary Items
Unless you’re the type who religiously keeps everything tidy at the end of the day, your desk will accumulate clutter over time. It might sound bothersome, but it’s best to keep to a regular schedule, either weekly or daily, to get rid of items you don’t need. If your desk becomes too cluttered, your brain is likely to become overwhelmed and further keep you from cleaning up. Also, don’t bother keeping too many items under the premise of “I might need them later” as in the case of old notes and receipts. If you didn’t need them before you found them, chances are you won’t need them at all.
Arrange According to Frequency
You might have noticed there are items you use more often than others. When arranging your desk, your best move would be to keep the items you regularly use nearest you. Those things that you sometimes or occasionally use can be placed father or stored away until you do need them. That way, you don’t have to look too hard for items essential to your everyday tasks, and those that are not don’t get in the way of your workflow.
Utilise Technology
We are living in a digital age where many, if not most, files can be converted into a digital format. If you have the option to minimise your physical documents, then don’t be afraid to take it. Save the physical format for files that need it. If you’re worried about getting them deleted, then the best action you can take is to make sure that you have backup files, either on the cloud or in another hard drive. Technology is there to make your work more manageable, so let it do its job.
When your workspace is finally organised, you’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief. Take the time to celebrate a bit, and remember the feeling as you work to do it regularly. You’ll find that when you commit to it, it’ll soon be second nature to you. And you can now use the time that you might have wasted with your old setup for doing more or taking a break.