Reducing Clutter
I think the more cluttered your office becomes, the more you become unorganized and insecure about fulfilling your task for the day or week. I have lots of clutter on my desk and it is not because I want it that way, but it is because I really do not have the time during the day to regroup and reflect on my task at hand, so it just becomes another piece of paper on my desk.
Susan, Sounds like you are ok for now but may need to expand your office space in the future. Sometimes it's better to plan ahead for these kinds of things!
Dr. Melissa Read
I think that organized clutter is sometime effective for people. I am not one of those people but my coworker is. She knows what pile the paper is in and when she got it. It seems disorganized to me but she is content and comfortable this way. Making her organized makes her unproductive.
I suffer from chronic clutter! The intention is to decide what to do with an item later...but then more clutter is added. I like the 3 pile suggestion.
Lashunkeita, That sounds like a productive way to end your week and I'm happy to hear you have the time. This practice must make mondays feel a whole lot more bearable.
Dr. Melissa Read
It is a wonderful way to help you control what had taken place during the week and give you a fresh perspective of each week.
I feel this is true for me, too. I have >120+ students and I am a part-time instructor. The amount of paper that I accumulate makes me feel guilty about the trees! I am in the office now, during Holiday Break to try and 'de-clutter' my area. I am trying to make room for 3 other part-time instructors who are now sharing the space. Part of my dilemma is that it is unclear how long I must hold on to a students work for the governing boards. We have limited storage and I have very little time to work on organizing when I am working with the students. I agree with Dr. Read, but I have not found that way of organizing that works for me, yet. I have taken a break from my 'de-cluttering' to finish this class-another thing that I don't routinely have time for during the work week. I am grateful that my office mates have taken the holiday off so it gives me quiet time to focus on a way to organize. Sharing an office with 10 people and 7 desks is a bit of a challenge. The part-timers rotate using the computer and desk. I think this is encouraging me to become better at managing my paperwork. I have several books on methods of organization but have not found a system yet. I am not giving up though!!!
I have a very cluttered home office. I would love to see it organized and cleared. For some reason, the task of getting that accomplished seems so daunting to me! Most of the time, I feel exhausted and really don't have motivation to get started. I really think it has to do with my physical health and well being. I agree with you also that time seems to be a limiting factor. Weekends come, but it seems i spend more time recuperating from the week and I fail to get anything done with my desk.
I myself call my clutter my organized mess buI have managed to clear my desk off by the end of each day that way in the mornings I am able to begin my desk and head clear!
I do this as well, I find it helps clear my mind for the weekend knowing everything is done and organized. I find the urge to put it off sometimes and "procrastinate" because I feel I don't have time, but in the long run if you take that time to declutter and reorganize, it helps you save time in the long run.
I have clutter, but there is just enough room on my desk.
Every friday I try to clear the clutter from my desk so when I return to work on monday my desk and mind can start off clutter free, I call it my organized clutter but I know it is just clutter. I have gotten better with it and it makes my day better.
I've found that I can minimize the clutter by taking everything I've brought back to my desk from class and putting each thing in the right place before I start working on anything. It helps to keep everything from being so overwhelming.
Bridget, It sounds like your productivity requires an organized work environment. It's good to know and if this is the case, go with it. It's always best to do what works best for you.
Dr. Melissa Read
Wendy, Perhaps uncluttering should happen a little bit every day as opposed to all at once. Sometimes slowly chipping away at a task is the only way to get it done.
Dr. Melissa Read
James, It sounds like you know yourself and what works for you. This is wonderful to hear. Understanding the conditions you require for optimal performance is the first step towards getting there.
Dr. Melissa Read
If my desk gets all cluttered up it seams as if I can not think clearly. I keep a very clean desk daily and start a to do list prior to the next day. This keeps me on track.
I can not work with clutter. My desk does get that way at tmes and I stop and place everything in the order that it needs to be done. There are still missing papers that have evaporated from the room. I dont know how anyone can be called and be a horder
I know all to well about the cluttered office. I have tons of papers on my desk. On a weekly basis I plan to "unclutter" however, other important tasks that require my attention always seem to surface. One day one day!
you must set aside time during the week to regroup and reduce clutter, if you can not do it weekly do it at least monthly
