Too much clutter can hinder productivity (or worse). Here are six basic tips to clean your workspace, keep it organized and get things done.

A cleaner, more organized workspace allows you to have easy access to everything you need to get the job done, whether it’s your task scheduler, calculator or files. If a client calls seeking information, you’ll be able to find it much quicker than if your most valuable resources are buried under piles of clutter.

Another important reason for cleaning and organizing your workspace is to make a good impression on coworkers and bosses. In a recent OfficeTeam survey of 500 HR managers, more than eight in 10 (83 percent) said the appearance of an employee’s workspace at least somewhat affects their perception of that person’s professionalism.

“A tidy desk won’t necessarily boost your career, but a messy one can leave a bad impression on colleagues,” according to Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. “By taking simple steps to organize your workspace, you also will be able to find materials more easily and increase your productivity.”

To that end, here are six basic tips to clean your workspace and keep it organized.

1. Evaluate. “If you’ve got a particularly cluttered space on your hands, you need to start with an honest evaluation of everything in your office. Sure, everything in your office has some sort of purpose, but unless you need it to get your work done on a daily basis, it probably doesn’t belong there,” Lifehacker advises. Think about what you want from your space. Considering the characteristics of your ideal workspace will go a long way in helping you get there.
2. Declutter. Trash it, recycle it or shred it if you don’t need it. The less clutter you have, the closer you are to having an organized workspace. “Once you get rid of all the things you ‘might use’ and keep only the things you do, you’ll find keeping your workspace organized much less of a chore,” Lifehacker says. OfficeTeam recommends keeping “only the materials needed for your current project on your desk and clearing these items after the assignment is completed.”
3. File, Don’t Pile. “Don’t touch the same piece of paper more than once without filing, recycling or tossing it, or passing it along to the next person,” OfficeTeam suggests. For all the papers you don’t get rid of: Sort, organize and file them for easy access. “Without moving your chair or getting up, you should be able to grab an unused manila folder, label it and put it in your file cabinet,” Productivity501 explains. “Easy filing is one of the most important organization tips. The more effort it requires, the more difficult it will be to stay organized.” Clearly label or color-code filed documents so you can find them more quickly.
4. Proximate Based on Importance. “If you use something every day, it should be closer than something you use only a few times each week,” Productivity501 says. When organizing your drawers, prioritize them by importance and ease of access. “Keep your most essential supplies in the top drawer, on the side of your dominant hand, and work down from there — you’ll be surprised how much time you save when the things you really need are close at hand,” Lifehacker advises.
5. Don’t Forget Your Equipment. After you’ve purged anything you don’t need, clean your computer and organize all the cords. Dirty keyboards and monitors are uninspiring, and they serve as a reminder that you’re too busy or overwhelmed to even wipe down your tools. Cables are also a “seemingly inescapable desk-messer,” another Lifehacker piece notes, but there are “many creative solutions” for untangling those cords and wires and making more sense out of them to avoid both clutter and safety hazards.
6. Commit to Making Your Space Usable. After you’ve completed your spring cleaning, commit to taking a few minutes each day to clear your space and ensuring it stays organized. “[E]stablish an organization system that suits your style,” OfficeTeam suggests. “You can always rearrange items later, but this will prevent things from getting out of hand early on.” Consider David Allen’s GTD system.

What’s your system for keeping your workspace organized and clutter-free? Give us your take in the comments section below.

Resources

A Messy Desk Can Affect Your Professional Reputation
OfficeTeam, March 24, 2011

Re-Evaluate Your Office Gear to Simplify and Declutter
by Jason Fitzpatrick
Lifehacker, Sept. 25, 2009

Top 10 Ways to Organize and Streamline Your Workspace
by Whitson Gordon
Lifehacker, Sept. 18, 2010

12 Tips for an Organized Desk
by Mark Shead
Productivity 501, April 12, 2007

Tips to Efficiently Organize Your Desk Drawers
by Mike Tyson
Unplggd, Sept. 13, 2010

Clean Your Workspace — and Keep it That Way
by Kevin Purdy
Lifehacker, Oct. 9, 2008

Top 10 Ways to Get Cables Under Control
by Gina Trapani
Lifehacker, March 5, 2008

10 Tips for Keeping Your Desk Clean and Tidy
by Chanpory Rith
LifeClever, Aug. 21, 2006

The Value of a Clean Work Space
by Tim Sanders, Oct. 30, 2009