A survey at CareerBuilder.com of more then 2600 hiring personnel said that along with hard work and dedication, a neat work area is just as vital. Twenty eight percent of those in the survey admitted this would give someone a promotion that is neat over messy.
Neatness reflects organization a key to making your job go smoother, shows you care and are more likely on top of your tasks.
Here are some tips to help you de-clutter and stay organized.
Organize with an Inbox and Outbox Tray on your desk.
Inbox – Things to get done. This is a great way to organize your tasks. Organize your inbox according to importance of task to be done and in what time frame. If you have a report due a couple hours after you start your day then pile your papers accordingly so that everything is at your fingertips. Once one task is completed and the other needs to be started.
Outbox Thing ready to go. Once a task is completed, move it to the OutBox for delivery to another department or to be filed.
Files On Hand
Keep file folders and lables in a desk draw so you can easily fill the folder, label and put into your outbox to file.
No Posting Here
While post-it notes are a great way to remind yourself of things to do, save them for your fridge or reminder board at home. Instead keep a notebook handy for daily reminders and check it off through out your day.
No Food or Drink
Eating at your desk is a habit all of us fall into. Meeting a deadline or finishing a project, it is easier to grab a sandwich, chips or anything we can just gobble down while we work. Result is that crumbs fall in the keyboard making a mess or food that has gone cold from focusing on the task more then your lunch or snack. Take a break from your work, take time to eat and leave the containers in the trash not on your desk.
This is my Family
Family photos are wonderful can open easy conversation with client or other employees. Consider keeping only a few pictures and maybe changing them up every once and a while, to avoid to much clutter.
Pens in Place
Fumbling for a pen that works? Take time to replace old pens, pencils and marker. Throw away those that don’t work and display only the ones you need. Keep them in a nice container on your desk.
Dust Off Daily
Keep a spare cloth or paper towels to wipe down your computer and monitor everyday. With the touch screens, make sure the monitor is free of finger prints. Once a week grab a lint free cloth and some alcohol and wipe down the keyboard using just a dab of alcohol. Do this especially if other people use your computer to help fight off germs from the common cold and more.
Is there a Desk Under There?
If you cannot see your desk, you have too much clutter. Take time to have everything you work with have a place that is not piled on top of your desk. If you are organized your job will become much easier and less stressful.At the end of your day, empty the trash and shred papers no longer needed. Leave your work area neat and ready for the next day.
