My car and porch are covered in pollen so spring has officially sprung. Time to clean out those cabinets, pantries, closets, and workspaces!
Yes, whether you are still working from home or not, it’s important you include your work area in your spring cleaning plans.
According to 7 Office Spring Cleaning Tips to Boost Productivity Happiness at Work, an organized work space can lead to:
- More Productivity
- A Happier Mood
- A Better Overall Impression
Here are some spring cleaning tips for work from Simple Steps to Spring Clean Your Office and 10 Tricks To Spring Clean Your Office:
1. Divide Your Workspace Into Zones
Organization expert Peter Walsh suggests you set up zones based on the different types of work you do daily – a work area with your computer, another area for research, and another place to store your supplies. Of course if you only have a desk in a cubicle you will need to have pretty small zones, but this theory will help you stay more organized regardless.
2. Declutter Files and Papers on Your Desk
Throw out sticky notes you never read and reports you don’t need. Use folders or binders to keep papers you do need organized. Use a bookcase or wall file to keep them off your desk.
3. Keep Only What You Need At Arm’s Length
Cluttered desk, cluttered mind, right? Time to take some inventory on what you keep on your desk. Keep extra supplies you don’t use often or paperwork you don’t need in their established zones off of your desk.
4. Create A Daily Paper System
Speaking of paperwork, separate it based on what you need to read, what needs action, and what needs to be filed. File baskets or even color coded folders can help you streamline this process. They suggest you then pick days of the weeks to tackle each type or paperwork so you don’t get overwhelmed.
5. Establish Limits
This is especially helpful if you are short on space. For example, give yourself one bookshelf. When it’s full, you have to get rid of a book. (I can hear some of you gasping, but chances are you do not have a bookshelf full of books you look at for work every day.)
6. Organize Your Desk Inside and Underneath
Throw out pens that don’t work anymore and put away those random loose paper clips. Wipe down those dusty cables under your desk and try a cord organizer if they are really messy.
7. Don’t Use E-Mail As A To-Do List
Time to take a look at your digital clutter too. Use filters or follow ups to keep your inbox manageable.
8. Streamline Your Desktop Icons
If your entire monitor is covered in icons, you may need to reassess. Create a digital filing system and keep the icons to those things you use daily.
9. Keep A Basket Or Drawer For Short-Term Storage
I appreciated this tip as it does allow you a bit of a catch-all for those things you still need, but don’t make the cut for the previous tips. This can be for things like magazines, your gym bag, tennis shoes for walking, etc.
10. Disinfect Regularly
For this post, I did some research on how dirty laptops can be aaaaand I really wish I hadn’t. [Leaves to go grab disinfectant] As I was saying, clean your laptops, phones, light switches, etc regularly. This will most likely lead to you also taking care of anything else that doesn’t belong on you desk.
