8 Tips for a Tidy Desk | National Clean Off Your Desk Day

There are many benefits to starting the new year with a clean, tidy desk. Research shows that your physical environment impacts your emotions, stress and anxiety levels—even your decision-making ability. National Clean Off Your Desk Day is Jan. 10 this year, creating the perfect time to freshen up your workspace for 2022.

Organizing and thoroughly cleaning your desk can benefit you in several ways. For one thing, it’s an opportunity to dust and sanitize heavily-used and often overlooked surfaces, especially during a time of year when illnesses and germs are easily spread.

It also helps you start the year on a more organized note. It’s easy to get so busy working that you don’t take the time to set up your desk in a way that optimizes your productivity. An orderly, clutter-free desk not only gives you more space, but it can make it easier to focus, too, providing a boost of clarity and calm. A clean desk also saves time by limiting the minutes spent searching for misplaced papers or other items.

Here are 8 ways to get your desk ready for a productive new year.

Start Your Search

Make the time you spend organizing worthwhile with a dose of organizing inspiration. I happen to use (and love) Pinterest, and find it’s a helpful resource for home and office projects. Creating a new board with beautiful and practical ideas may be just what you need to power your endeavor.

Block Out Time

Depending on the level of disorganization, the task could take 30 minutes or a few hours. Schedule time in your calendar so you commit to getting it done. If this feels too overwhelming, start with one surface (or drawer) and re-evaluate when you’ve finished the manageable task. More often than not, you’ll find you have the energy to keep going.

Remove Everything

This gives you a blank canvas to work with and allows you to re-evaluate what really needs to be on your desktop. An empty desk also allows you to dust and sanitize surfaces before putting everything back.

Get Your Papers in Order

From mail to document drafts to bills, nothing piles up faster than paper. Sort documents into piles to be filed, digitized or tossed. Whenever possible, scan receipts and other papers to store digitally (this is especially helpful for business expenses since many receipts fade over time). Use an app on your phone to convert photos of important papers into PDF files to be stored on your computer.

Check Your Drawers

Like the surface of your desk, your desk drawers are prime real estate. Use this space for things that need to be close at hand, such as files for current projects. Move non-essential items to a banker box or file cabinet for storage elsewhere. You probably don’t need the last five years of tax returns at your fingertips—keep the space free for files you’re actively using.

Take Stock

This is a great time to take inventory of office essentials such as staples, sticky notes and file folders. Make a list of the supplies you need more of and order now before you run out. Get rid of the less-than-desirable pens and dried-out highlighters that have accumulated in your workspace and keep the ones that you enjoy using. Determine if your space would work better with organizational tools, such as file holders, desk organizers and storage bins.

Clean and Disinfect Surfaces

Turn your computer off and use a microfiber and cleanser specially formulated for electronics to carefully wipe down your computer screen, exterior and keyboard. Use a new, dry toothbrush or a can of compressed air to clean the areas between the keys (tilt the keyboard first so debris falls out). Remember to wipe off your mouse (and replace your mousepad if it’s past its prime). If you keep a landline phone on your desk, give the ear- and mouthpiece a good sanitizing also.

Keep the Change

Schedule five minutes at the end of every day to put away papers and freshen up your desk for the next time you sit down. Spending a few minutes tidying up at the end of every day will help keep your desk from becoming overrun with clutter.

Taking the time to create a more pleasant workspace is a gift to yourself. Eliminating the distractions of a sloppy work area will help you focus on what matters most. Make an effort to improve your desk now to set the tone for a more pleasant, more productive and happier year.

For more inspiration around creating an orderly office space, you may also enjoy How To Stop Procrastinating and Get the Job Done. Be sure to check out The Protocol School of Texas. Read Diane’s posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.