Letting Go of Clutter In Your Office

Some people would say I'm the last person in the world to be writing about clearing out clutter; I seem to accumulate so much of it. But I also get rid of it, when it reaches the point of bothering me.

That's the first thing about clearing out clutter. Everyone has a threshold at which the clutter starts to bother them. My husband's threshold is much lower than mine, and when he starts clearing out, I jump in and help him. But in my office, things go to my threshold and no further-usually. Recognizing your threshold and working within it is the first key to letting go of clutter. If it's really not bothering you, and you can find everything you need, it's not essential to tackle it right away.

The second key to letting go of clutter is to bring the recycle bin (for paper without staples) and the large kitchen trash can (for everything else) into your office and put them beside the desk, which is clutter central in most offices. Get a box of manila file folders, a box of hanging file folders, and a plastic file box, the kind with a handle that you can get for about ten bucks at a big office supply store. And a pen.

Pick up every piece of paper off your desk, one sheet or sheaf at a time. Start with paper because there's usually more of it than anything else. Don't touch anything twice. When you pick it up either put it in the recycle bin (remove staples first), put it in the trash if it can't go in the recycle, or put it in a folder, label the folder, and put the folder, inside a hanging folder, in the plastic file box. Don't worry about organizing the files. Just get everything out of site and off your desk. Get two or three boxes if you need them. They stack nicely out of the way against the wall.

Once the paper is off your desk, you should be able to see the surface, which will probably be littered with books, pens, soda cans, memo pads, and CDs, if it looks anything like my desk. Take one category at a time, like CDs, and put all of them away. Then books, and so on.

The rest of your office may be cluttered in the same way as your desk, with stacks of papers and books scattered around. Use the same method. Start with the paper, don't touch anything twice, and declutter by category-CDs, books, etc. after the paper.

De-cluttering doesn't have to mean deep-cleaning, though you may get motivated and do that. Really it just means getting the clutter out of the way so you can work. Letting go of it is as simple as realizing you don't need it where it is right this minute, and putting it somewhere else-even if that somewhere else is the recycle bin.

A good rule of thumb is, if you can get that piece of paper again, especially by printing it off your computer, you don't need to keep it. Now, you might, if it's important. But just use this as a rule of thumb.

Happy clearing!

About The Author

Angie Dixon helps small business owners get their acts together. She is a personal development coach specializing in helping people integrate their home and work lives so they feel less stretched and more balanced. Get her FREE EBOOK on balance at http://www.discoveringtruenorth.com. For questions or to discover how coaching can change your life, contact Angie at mailto:angie@discoveringtruenorth.com.

You are free to use this article in ezines, web sites and print publications. If you do use it, please send a quick email to mailto:angie@discoveringtruenorth.com. Thank you.

---

Declutter for Sucess

Finish each day and be done with it. You have... Read More

Keep, Get Rid Of, Or Not Sure?

Cleaning out can seem overwhelming -- especially if it's been... Read More

Spring Clean Your Life

Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More

The Organized Move: Packing Made Simple

(This is the second in a series of three articles... Read More

Letting Go of Clutter In Your Office

Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More

Spring Cleaning

Spring is such a refreshing time- we are filled with... Read More

10 Tips on Color Coding Your Paper: From Chaos to Coherence

Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More

The Balance of Balance

Life is about maintaining a balance of all aspects. At... Read More

Time for a Clean Out

Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More

10 Tips to Get Organized and Clutter-Free- Now!

1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More

3 Simple Filing Guidelines

One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More

The Top 10 Habits of Organized People

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have... Read More

Organize (and Decorate) Your Home on a Budget with Baskets

What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More

Overcoming E-mail Overload Using Microsoft Outlook

Do you feel like you just get too much e-mail?... Read More

Just How Organized Are You? Take This Quiz For Individuals

The Productive Environment Scorecard?Read the statements below and rate your... Read More

Clutter is Postponed Decisions?

Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More

Compartmentalize

The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I... Read More

Everything Fits Together Perfectly!

Here's a little lesson I experienced while packing boxes for... Read More

Can You Make a ?Torpedo? Out of Personal Junk? How to Optimize What You Have

"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More

Organize Your Desk ? Live Longer!

It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More

Be More Productive at Work: Avoid These Eight Traps

Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More

Organizing for Today, Tomorrow and the Next Day

Getting organized is hard. If it weren't, we wouldn't put... Read More

8 Signs Your Home is Out of Control -- and What to Do About It

It happens without warning. One day you notice your home... Read More

Are You A Collector?

Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More

Six ADD Tips for Organizing Everyday Things

Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More

Clutter Campaign - Maintain Your Success

To want in one's heart to do a thing for... Read More

A Simple Effective Tool To Get And Stay Organized

Often we are in overwhelm because we are holding too... Read More

How Clutter Affects Your Love Life

Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More

Creative Storage Solutions

When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More

How to Prevent Piles of Paper!

If you have piles of paper all over your desk,... Read More

Does Your Storage Make Sense?

What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More

Its Time To Clear Out! Clutter Busting For Every Aspect Of Your Life

'A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view... Read More

Effective Closet Cleaning Tips - Let Go of More Than Skeletons

I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More