by Todd Pheifer

Created on: October 24, 2009

In some work environments clutter is a constant part of the process. For some people a cluttered desk is a source of pride because they've convinced themselves that they are busy and overwhelmed, which makes them indispensable to the company. Unfortunately, a cluttered workspace can also be a sign that employees are not terribly organized and that they are somewhat insecure about organizational workflow. Obviously some level of clutter is always going to be present, but the solid employee is going to keep it contained most of the time. Therefore, here are a few tips on how to maintain a clean work environment.

Throw it away

One of the most basic problems people have when it comes to organizing their workspace is an inability to remove items that are no longer needed or were never needed in the first place. This includes extra copies of reports, various pieces of junk mail, certain types of notes or correspondence, and various other pieces of paperwork that seem too important to throw away. There is that sense for some people that they might need that particular item someday. Unfortunately for some individuals this is simply a manifestation of laziness. Every so often people should go through their desk or workspace and either throw things away, file them, or delegate them to someone else.

Clutter doesn't make you important

As mentioned, some people are simply disorganized. Others have been mentored by people with messy workspaces so that is all that some employees know in terms of professional behavior. There are some people that are afraid a clean desk may signal that they have nothing to do. That is a possibility in some environments but at the same time an effective employee is going to be known for their value regardless of how clean their workspace is on a daily basis. Therefore, it makes more sense to keep the workplace clean so that people can find things and make sure that projects do not get lost in the hurricane of paper on their desk.

Go digital

Finally, there are digital solutions that can make organizing much easier. Some of this comes down to trust because there are individuals that still do not trust digital files and documents. However, people have to keep in mind that most companies maintain a backup system in order to protect their information. Therefore, people can save digital copies, scan particular items, and store most of the clutter from their workspace in directories on the server. As the joke goes, we are supposed to be heading towards a paperless society but some people are still waiting for the memo.

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