Comments on: Disorganized Desk Syndrome http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:39:50 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: alexa http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31740 alexa Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:23:59 +0000 http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31740 I agree with the clear-desk rule. Even if there's no item-locating to be done, I still can't work as well when I'm distracted by a messy desk/house/life. I need some order so I can focus. And it sucks when I'm so busy I don't have time to keep up with the papers, etc. on my work space, and I then have to spend precious work time cleaning so I can think clearly. Dealing with items as they come across my desk and not putting them ff until later seems to help keep the clutter and the distracting sense of things-undone to a minimum. I agree with the clear-desk rule. Even if there’s no item-locating to be done, I still can’t work as well when I’m distracted by a messy desk/house/life. I need some order so I can focus. And it sucks when I’m so busy I don’t have time to keep up with the papers, etc. on my work space, and I then have to spend precious work time cleaning so I can think clearly. Dealing with items as they come across my desk and not putting them ff until later seems to help keep the clutter and the distracting sense of things-undone to a minimum.

]]> By: David Pierce http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31407 David Pierce Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:27:17 +0000 http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31407 Carl, Paperless is the goal, but it's a long, LONG process. I get a ton of handouts as well, and am constantly in the process of reducing the amount of paper I use. The way I do it right now is that if it's something I'm likely to need more than once in the future (i.e. more than just to study for a test) I scan it into my computer, and save it that way. If I'm only going to need to look back once, for a paper or test, I file it, and then throw it away when I'm done with it. I'm not great at sticking with it, but it's worked for me really well. I'm much more organized on my computer than off it, and keeping things there has been huge. Carl,

Paperless is the goal, but it’s a long, LONG process. I get a ton of handouts as well, and am constantly in the process of reducing the amount of paper I use. The way I do it right now is that if it’s something I’m likely to need more than once in the future (i.e. more than just to study for a test) I scan it into my computer, and save it that way. If I’m only going to need to look back once, for a paper or test, I file it, and then throw it away when I’m done with it. I’m not great at sticking with it, but it’s worked for me really well. I’m much more organized on my computer than off it, and keeping things there has been huge.

]]> By: web marketing man http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31312 web marketing man Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:22:38 +0000 http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31312 Thank you for the post, but I doubt that it will work for me since I can hardly stick to any plan. If you were to see my desk you'd bet that it has been hit by a tsunami several times before. Lol! Thank you for the post, but I doubt that it will work for me since I can hardly stick to any plan. If you were to see my desk you’d bet that it has been hit by a tsunami several times before. Lol!

]]> By: Carl Hickson http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31270 Carl Hickson Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:55:09 +0000 http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31270 David Pierce, are you partially/fully paperless in your office then? I'd love to hear about how this works for you, it is something I have considered in the past but I think it would be simply impossible, given the substantial volume of handouts I get as a student! Kit, nice set up! I must say the desk looks amazing. I like your idea about separate bins for recycling, that is what piles up at times because there is no separate bin, it waits to be carried out to the recycle bin until it is disposed of. Thanks for the comments. David Pierce, are you partially/fully paperless in your office then? I’d love to hear about how this works for you, it is something I have considered in the past but I think it would be simply impossible, given the substantial volume of handouts I get as a student!

Kit, nice set up! I must say the desk looks amazing. I like your idea about separate bins for recycling, that is what piles up at times because there is no separate bin, it waits to be carried out to the recycle bin until it is disposed of.

Thanks for the comments.

]]> By: Kim http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31253 Kim Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:41:27 +0000 http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31253 What really worked for me was to get some clear file folders which is just a 8-1/2 x 11 inch folded sheet of plastic sealed at the bottom. Open on two sides. Every time I get new material related to something I write on I simply file it in one of the clear file folders. Being they are clear it is easy to see which one to use. This system is easy for every day filing and the clear file folders was inexpensive I think it was around $5 for 25 pieces from www.keepfiling.com What really worked for me was to get some clear file folders which is just a 8-1/2 x 11 inch folded sheet of plastic sealed at the bottom. Open on two sides. Every time I get new material related to something I write on I simply file it in one of the clear file folders. Being they are clear it is easy to see which one to use.
This system is easy for every day filing and the clear file folders was inexpensive I think it was around $5 for 25 pieces from http://www.keepfiling.com

]]> By: Kit http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31214 Kit Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:13:45 +0000 http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31214 To add to what David Pierce said, you can also keep a trashbin for paper recycling. This is something very useful to keep by your printer. I also believe in Tip 6 about investing in a good desk that you like. For me this year I have a new apartment that I moved in to over the summer, but it wasn't until august that I went desk hunting. Where I ended up buying was from Home Decorators (www.homedecorators.com). My first requirement was for a desk that would go with the rest of my furniture, and then it had to be of good size. I wanted enough room for my desktop and my laptop, as well as extra space for work. The desk I got also came with a slide-out keyboard holder, which alot of desks have. Since I prefer to use my desktop keyboard right on the desk, I instead used the keyboard holder for a place for my laptop. A picture of my setup: http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c368/lilwolfy/Sept030.jpg To add to what David Pierce said, you can also keep a trashbin for paper recycling. This is something very useful to keep by your printer.

I also believe in Tip 6 about investing in a good desk that you like. For me this year I have a new apartment that I moved in to over the summer, but it wasn’t until august that I went desk hunting. Where I ended up buying was from Home Decorators (www.homedecorators.com). My first requirement was for a desk that would go with the rest of my furniture, and then it had to be of good size. I wanted enough room for my desktop and my laptop, as well as extra space for work. The desk I got also came with a slide-out keyboard holder, which alot of desks have. Since I prefer to use my desktop keyboard right on the desk, I instead used the keyboard holder for a place for my laptop.

A picture of my setup:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c368/lilwolfy/Sept030.jpg

]]> By: David Pierce http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31189 David Pierce Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:16:22 +0000 http://www.gearfire.net/curb-cluttered-desk/#comment-31189 One thing that's helped me a LOT is keeping a trash can next to my desk. It's a subtle hint, and an easy way, to throw away all the stuff I collect, most of which I don't need. Things I need, I either file or scan onto my computer, and everything else gets thrown away. Having the trash can right there keeps my desk much more clear, and my trash man much busier. One thing that’s helped me a LOT is keeping a trash can next to my desk. It’s a subtle hint, and an easy way, to throw away all the stuff I collect, most of which I don’t need. Things I need, I either file or scan onto my computer, and everything else gets thrown away. Having the trash can right there keeps my desk much more clear, and my trash man much busier.

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