Reduce Office Clutter

Get 3 Time Saving Business Tips

Learn how to reduce office clutter with these 3 time saving business tips. The whole point of the workplace is for it to be a space where you can be productive and efficient.

Unfortunately, however, when your desk and work space is cluttered and disorganized, that’s a hard goal to accomplish.

If you want to keep your sanity and get a lot of work done, we suggest you follow our tips in this bookkeeping article for getting rid of clutter in the workplace.

1. Reduce Office Clutter - Have An Incoming Spot

The first thing we suggest you do to limit the mess is to have an incoming spot for your basic bookkeeping forms and papers.

There’s a good chance that people are going to be dropping documents and files off at your desk all day long.

Obviously, the last thing you want is for any of those oh-so-important papers to get lost in the shuffle or to form a cluttered pile all over your desk.

Fortunately, this is a pretty easy fix. Designate a spot or folder on your desk as the “incoming” folder. It will basically serve as a mailbox where people can deliver necessary forms and papers to you.

At the end of the day, you just have to sort through it, put the paper in the appropriate place, and voila- problem solved.

2. Reduce Office Clutter - Never Go Home Messy

The second way to get rid of your office clutter is by making sure to never go home messy. Just as you should never go to bed angry, you should never leave your office when your desk is a mess.

This is a hidden gem and can be very hard to do, especially if you’re leaving on a vacation or for the weekend. However, if you let the clutter pile up for even one day, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to repeat that behavior.

And, if you keep on doing it, before you know it, your desk will be a screamingly cluttered mess.

Force yourself to straighten up at the end of the night, every night, and you’ll probably have a much easier time maintaining your sanity and your clean, nicely-organized desk and office books.

3. Reduce Office Clutter - Go Digital

The third tip for reducing your office clutter is to go digital.

Finally, whenever possible, ask workers to send you items via email or file sharing, rather than in paper form.

There are many new apps and office software available to help get you digitally organized.

A messy inbox is a whole other challenge in and of itself (one to deal with in another article!), but it’s a lot less conspicuous than a cluttered physical workspace.

The Positive Impacts of Reducing Office Clutter

Reducing office clutter can have numerous benefits for individuals in terms of productivity, efficiency, and overall well-being. Here are some advice and insights on how decluttering your office space can positively impact you:

  1. Improved Focus and Productivity: A clutter-free environment promotes better focus and concentration. When your workspace is tidy and organized, it becomes easier to locate documents, supplies, and tools, eliminating distractions and reducing the time wasted searching for things. This enhanced efficiency can lead to increased productivity and a more streamlined workflow.
  2. Reduced Stress and Enhanced Mental Well-being: Cluttered spaces can create a sense of overwhelm and contribute to heightened stress levels. Clearing out the unnecessary items from your office can create a calmer and more serene atmosphere. A clean and organized environment promotes a sense of control and allows you to approach your tasks with a clearer mind, ultimately reducing stress and improving your overall well-being.
  3. Increased Efficiency and Time Savings: When your workspace is clutter-free, you can navigate through your tasks more swiftly. You won't waste time sifting through piles of paperwork or searching for misplaced items. This time-saving advantage allows you to allocate more time to important work and prioritize your tasks effectively.
  4. Enhanced Creativity and Inspiration: A cluttered environment can stifle creativity and hinder inspiration. By decluttering your office, you create a space that is visually appealing and conducive to creative thinking. An organized and visually pleasing workspace can ignite inspiration and foster a more innovative mindset.
  5. Improved Professional Image: An organized and clutter-free office space creates a positive impression on clients, colleagues, and superiors. It demonstrates your professionalism, attention to detail, and organizational skills. A well-maintained workspace reflects positively on your work ethic and can enhance your professional image.
  6. Better Health and Safety: Cluttered offices can pose safety risks. Excess items on the floor or obstructing pathways can lead to accidents and injuries. Additionally, clutter can accumulate dust and allergens, negatively impacting air quality and potentially causing health issues. A clean and organized workspace promotes a healthier and safer environment for you and your colleagues.

Additional tips for reducing office clutter:

  • Regularly declutter and organize your workspace, setting aside dedicated time for tidying up.
  • Create a system for organizing documents, supplies, and equipment, using folders, labels, and storage solutions.
  • Digitize documents whenever possible to minimize physical paperwork.
  • Implement a "one in, one out" policy to prevent clutter from accumulating.
  • Remove unnecessary items from your workspace and only keep essential items within reach.
  • Utilize storage solutions such as shelves, drawers, and filing cabinets to maintain an organized environment.
  • Optimize your digital workspace by organizing files, folders, and email inboxes.
  • Encourage a culture of cleanliness and organization among colleagues to maintain a clutter-free office environment.

By embracing the practice of reducing office clutter, you can create a more efficient, productive, and enjoyable workspace. Start small, commit to regular maintenance, and experience the positive impacts of a decluttered office on your work and well-being.

Summary of Reduce Office Clutter

Reducing your office clutter is all about knowing how to keep your space clear for the health of your business. You win when there is less of a mess by saving time and having less on your mind.

Use these 3 time saving business tips as your guide to help you maintain a more organized work space for yourself and your clients.  

You might like these

More Bookkeeping Articles

Office Supplies

Please subscribe to my monthly newsletter, Bookkeeping Basics E-zine. It tells you every month about the new information that I have added, including some great tips and advice from myself and other Bookkeeping Basics readers.

Enter Your E-mail Address
Enter Your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Bookkeeping Basics E-Zine.

Like Bookkeeping-Basics.net?


New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.