5 Ways to Declutter Your Work Space Physically and Digitally

Working from home is becoming popular, we all have to deal with clutter regularly, from tons of files scattered in your Google Docs to papers and mails littered on our desks. Taking the time out of our busy schedule to arrange can be a hassle, but there are just so many advantages in having a decluttered, clear-cut workspace. 

The sense of knowing you’re fully focused and able to be on-task without the distracting nagging of reminders to tidy up! It’s incredible how much time can be saved just by getting organized! But there are some things to keep in mind that will help make cluttering your workspace even easier. So read on to find out more about how to declutter your workspace the intelligent way.

1. Start With Your Desk

One of the first things you need to do when you decide that you want to declutter your messy workplace is to get rid of papers from your workspace. This means scanning relevant documents, so you have a digital copy. On your computer, you also have to arrange your digital files. You can do this by organizing files in folders, archiving old files by converting them from PDF to PDFA with tools like PDFBear. 

Getting rid of old files would create more space for new ones. You can arrange the icons on your desktop home screen and group them, so it is easy to find each folder or file you need. Start with the biggest messes, and then work your way down.

2. Use Desk Organizers

When you have so many items like paper clips, scissors, markers, etc., on your office desk, it is easy for everything to get mixed up. You can keep items in different compartments with desk organizers, so you just have to stretch your hands and reach for them when needed. You will spend less time searching for missing paperwork, and also, you will be able to get things organized much faster.

3. Declutter Daily

You can also deal with the clutter in your life by a schedule and keep to it. It is much easier to set aside ten minutes daily to arrange and declutter, then move on to the next project than planning to get rid of all the clutter in a week, or two weeks, or three months. 

4. Create a Structure 

Decluttering your computer is very similar to decluttering your home. It’s a method that will rid your computer of all the unneeded files that make finding what you want hard and slows down your computer.

Like in a home, clothes have a specific place they should go, and so does the dishes. Putting clothes where dishes are supposed to be kept would only bring chaos, plus it will drive you crazy and cause you to feel overwhelmed with all the mess.

A crucial step in decluttering your workspace is to understand where everything goes. Create a system on where to place each item, color code, or label them if you will. Once you have gotten used to seeing names and colors together and know what they do, it would be easy to place specific items where they belong. 

5. Use Folders 

Creating a structure is not just limited to your office. You can do this on your computer too with folders. Take out the files that you don’t need and bring back the ones you use regularly.

It would be best to organize all your documents in folders. For example, you have a folder for each program and a folder for documents related to that particular program. You can keep essential records in the document folder, while the less critical documents should be in a differently labeled folder. 

And finally, you can organize your desktop folders in either chronological order or by date. You can manage them according to the way you use them or the way you store them. The most important thing to remember when doing this is to create a filing structure to know where everything is at a glance.

6. Clean Regularly

Junk and unnecessary items take up space; the more you clean, the less clutter there would be. Dust and wipe your desk, the floor, and surroundings. While you do that, be mindful of liquids and chemicals that might be harmful to gadgets around. The idea of deep cleaning your workspace is to get rid of any debris that would occupy space or cause conveniences. 

7. Manage Your Inbox

With so many emails being sent to and from your accounts, you may find yourself wondering how to manage your inbox more effectively. This is one of the most important tasks you should be working on and can cause frustration if you don’t take the time to properly organize your messages and look for the emails you really need. Unsubscribe from random emails that are of no use to you. You can make unsubscribing an easy task by downloading an email app that combines all your inboxes and provides you with a suggested unsubscribe list.

Heron Nelson
 

Heron is a business blogger with a focus on personal finance and wealth management. With over 7 years of experience writing about financial topics, Heron has established herself as a trusted voice in the personal finance space. She has a deep understanding of financial concepts and strategies, and is able to explain them in a relatable and actionable way for her readers.