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Article #129: Success at Work : Techniques : A Cluttered Desk

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I followed my boss to a co-worker's - Things to file away for reference
cubicle where my boss requested a certain Then utilize the following organizing
document from the co-worker. The actual tools:
surface of the co-workers desk was not - notebooks
visible because it was covered with a - file folders
cluttered pile of papers, catalogs, - boxes
booklets, and other paraphernalia. I was - drawers
prepared to see my co-worker embarass - cabinets
himself by not being able to locate the - briefcase
requested document in that messy pile. Use these organizing tools to create a
Some people mistakenly think having a place for every item on your desk.
cluttered desk will trick their boss into Everything should have a place, and
thinking they are keeping busy. Instead, everything should be in its place. Your
a cluttered desk makes your boss think desktop is the place for only one thing,
the following: the one thing you are working on this
- You are disorganized instant. The most important organizing
- You are a procastinator tool is the one listed below:
- you have poor time management skills - trash can
- you have low productivity Some people hang on to things forever
- You have lost control because they think they may need it at
My co-worker pushed his hand down into some time in the future. Study the item
that cluttered mess and, to my amazement, you are hanging on to. What are the odds
instantly produced the requested that you will need it some time in the
document. Apparently this guy had a future? None to zero? In the slim chance
mental map of the location of every item that you do need it in the future, is
in the seemly disorganized pile on his there some other source for it?
desk. Maybe we misjudge people that keep Some people keep things related to active
a cluttered desk. assignments on their desk so they won't
People think that a worker with a messy forget about what needs to be done.
desk does messy work. Misjudgment or not, Instead, keep a prioritized task list. A
if you have a messy desk, your boss might prioritized task list is great for
not want to risk giving you an important workers who constantly get interrupted.
assignment. You will get only low If the interruption is your boss, show
profile, boring grunt jobs. Fair or not, them your prioritized task list and ask
that's the way it is. where the new assignment fits in. If the
Things that clutter a desk: interruption is not your boss, show them
- Pictures of family, pets, etc. your prioritized task list and tell them
- Trinkets, plants, figurines, signs you'll check with your boss as to where
- Food, cups, bowls, silverware, their chore fits into list.
wrappers, crumbs The reality is that some people are never
I'm not saying that you can't have any going to get organized. They believe that
personal items on your desk. Displaying a any other activity has a higher priority
family photograph gives the impression of than organizing. The story about my
a stable, reliable individual, but too co-worker indicates that being
many photograph's on your desk sends the disorganized is not a reliable indicator
message that you would rather be of a deficient employee. But if you have
somewhere else. A plant on your desk can a cluttered desk, that's how you will be
make your cubicle seem less harsh, but perceived. If you can't use the tools
too many plants makes people think that described above (boxes, drawers,
your hobby is taking over your cubicle. cabinates, etc.) to organize your
Yes, it requires a little extra time and cluttered desk, then at least use them to
work up front to get organized, but in hide the clutter.
the long run, you'll make up that time. Copyright(C) 2004 Bucaro TecHelp.
After you get organized, you'll work less Permission is granted for the below
to be more productive, and your work will article to forward, reprint, distribute,
much less stressful. One way to keep your use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer
desk neat is to block off 30 minutes each as free bonus or part of a product for
morning to organize your desk. Divide sale as long as no changes are made and
things into three categories: the byline, copyright, and the resource
- Things to take care of now box below is included.
- Things you will deal with later






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