Published 19:56, August the 9th, 2009
Messy desk, messy career?
An organized office isn’t just beneficial for work — ‘it’s about being nice to yourself’
For those of you who think a messy work area is something that’s overlooked by your co-workers and bosses, think again. According to Rosalie Maggio, author of “The Art of Organizing Anything” (McGraw-Hill, $17) having a messy desk comes with a price — and it’s not just lost pencils.
“A clean desk is important for two reasons. One, you work better with an organized desk. And two, if anyone comes into your office, they will automatically think you’re smarter than you actually are,” she says in a matter-of-fact voice.
Maggio wants you to think of organization as a treat, not a chore. “It’s about being nice to yourself,” she says. “That’s what organization is about. A lot of people get uptight because they think of it as a bad thing, but how can making your life easier be a bad thing?”
We’ve reprinted some of Maggio’s tips here, but she wants you to know that the main thing you need to do to keep organized is just “stay on top of it.” “When you get a piece of paper or whatnot, just think, ‘I will take care of it right now,’” she advises. “Don’t let it just land somewhere.”
Tips from ‘The Art of Organizing Anything’
> To
organize your desk, remove everything and lay it out on the floor. Sort
by like items. Keep things that you reach for constantly (such as a
stapler, tape, scissors, pens) on your desk. Decide what you use least
and put those in the bottom drawer. Those things you use more often go
in the top drawer.
> Designate
an outgoing area. One spot holds everything you need when you leave the
office — bags, umbrella, keys, and any take-home work.
> Use your walls. Shelves can be used to store items you need but don’t use very often.
> Dedicate each drawer to a specific purpose. One can be for “Tools” — one might be dedicated to mailing supplies.