Paper Bombs = Loss in Productivity: Keeping the Paper on Your Desk Organized
Ever walk into your office on a Monday morning, or any morning for that matter, and just go "ugh, look at that mess"? It is that exact attitude that also throws me off during the day when I'm trying to organize thoughts, tasks, and find something that needs to get done. Where the heck is that post-it?! So what I have been doing lately is organizing tasks, projects, and sub-projects into file folders with post-its as labels. This way I can relabel the folder when I am done with the previous project for the next one. But the real reason I use folders is because I can staple pieces of paper to the inside with notes, tasks, and to-do's for that project. I then put the folders into a desk organizer. Ones on my desk are current projects. Those in the drawer right next to me are items that I need readily accessible. My cradenza behind me is for archives or projects that are completed. Of course I would ideally like to keep all of this information electronically, but that hasn't happened yet. I think for that to become more realistic I need a Tablet PC where I can jot notes digitally. Otherwise, I'm stuck using note pads and I'm not about to copy those notes into a digital version just yet.
So does your desk look like a paper bomb blew up on it? Try spending thirty minutes tomorrow morning putting projects and tasks in folders to help you organize it all.