Put paper in its place. Even in our electronic age, stacks of receipts, printed memos, and company forms create piles of paperwork atop our desks. Wertheimer advises using old-fashioned manila folders placed in a file drawer or desktop rack as a way to contain the paper clutter and keep it organized. “Make a commitment that any piece of paper you touch you never put back down on your desk, but either put it in a folder or recycle,” he says.
Get to your gadgets. Computers and their accessories can turn your desktop into a cord-filled wasteland. And even if your computer setup is neat, it likely takes up a large part of your desk and forces everything else into less space. If possible, start by picking a computer with a small footprint like a laptop or a model that integrates the monitor and all the electronics into one thin, space-saving machine. Then address the accessories. “Get a wireless keyboard and mouse that you can put away when not in use. Finally, find a way to get any computer peripherals neatly stacked on a separate cart or shelf,” he says. “There’s no need to have a printer or scanner on your desk, ever.”
Last but not least, feed any wires and plugs through the hole on your desk to keep them out of sight. To keep them looking streamlined, carefully tie any excess wire with rubber bands or twist ties, and invest in a good-quality, surge-protected power strip for all your plugs.
Go minimalist. There’s no need to hang on to the coffee mug filled with ballpoint pens. Instead, Wertheimer suggests investing in one good pen and one good pencil. An adjustable desk lamp is a nice touch for anyone who does detailed work. Wertheimer’s remaining picks: personalized mouse pads that do double duty as a tool and personal memento, and a pad of paper for notes.
Personalize in small doses. Keep little items like your keys and cell phone tucked away in a basket or desk drawer, and photos in their place on the wall or a bookshelf. Finally, address those snacks—the same ones that were causing all the crumbs when you started your organizational overhaul. “All of us nosh while we do desk work,” says Wertheimer. “Get a handsome, large, clear canister and fill it with a healthy snack, like dried apricots, raisins, shelled pistachios, or trail mix. Put it a few steps away from your desk—far enough that you can’t dip in constantly, but near enough that getting a palmful doesn’t consume lots of time.”
