No wonder I couldn’t work.
Photo of Barbara's messy desk
Photo of Barbara's messy back table
Step One: I started by clearing off the top of my desk and table.
Desk and table without junk
Obviously, something still needs to happen with the stuff under the desk, but it was pretty late at this point and I decided to go to bed and figure the rest of it out in the morning, particularly since I’d realized this would be a good time to move my desk and computer equipment around. There are only two outlets in this room and neither one is anywhere near the place where I have my computer, so I have some cord management issues.
Step Two: Getting Honest and Clear
This morning I sat down at my desk to make two lists. There was a slight hiccup because I was really ruthless yesterday and removed all my pens and notebooks from the desk and stuck them in a box. I found a pen and some scratch paper and made a list of things I do at my desk. I decided to list everything I could think of whether or not it sounded like “work” or something that ought to be done at a desk. I want my space to work for my life, not for some imaginary ideal office worker life.
Things I do at my desk (in no particular order)
- Use computer
- Type
- Burn disks
- Sync music
- Retrieve photos from camera
- Eat
- Write checks
- Process mail
- Prepare items for mailing
- Organize papers
- Staple
- Paperclip
- Put in envelopes
- Hole punch
- Stamp
- File
- Write in journal
- Type on typewriter
- Talk on phone
- Work with kids on school work
- Read
- Recycle
- Throw things away
- Receive stuff
- Scan things
- Charge things
- Phone
- Camera
- Pocket PC
- Batteries
- Record music with midi controller
- Write poetry
- Take medications
Once I had a good list of things I do at my desk, I was able to make a list of tools that I need at my desk. The most important thing about this list is the things that are not on it…things that should clearly not live on my desk, things that need well-defined, well-confined homes elsewhere.
Things I need at my desk (in no particular order)
- Computer
- Pens
- Writing pens
- Sharpies
- Highlighters
- Lamp
- Pocket PC
- Water glass
- Coaster
- Stapler
- Hole Punch
- Printer
- Blank disks
- Printer paper
- Yellow notepads
- Spiral notebooks
- Cables
- Camera
- Ipod
- Keyboard midi controller
- Envelopes
- Screen cleaner
- Paper clips
- Scissors
- Stamps
- Checkbooks
- Label maker
- File folders
- Typewriter
- Garbage bags
- Receipt holder
- Eyeglasses
- Inbox
- Charging station
- Little notepads
- Reference books
- Midi controller
- Other
- Contact juggling ball
- Art
- Pain meds (acetaminophen)
- Prescription drugs
I didn’t have any huge epiphanies as a result of making these lists. It is obvious that I don’t really need to keep my music cds on my desk. I don’t play them (and neither does anyone else, because they’re on my desk). It’s also fairly obvious that my current furniture configuration won’t work for all the things I need to do at my desk, so I’ll be dragging some heavy things around today (there’s more than 50 pounds of poetry in one file cabinet), after which I’ll probably be more than grateful for the acetaminophen in my desk drawer.
Next Action Steps:
Step Three: Arrange furniture to support desired use of space
Step Four: Arrange tools for ease of use
