Look at your desk. It is one of the most powerful weapons you have against stress if it's organized. At DYMO Label Company, they discovered that the perception of their associate's skills was directly related to the tidiness of his desk. If your desk is messy, you are costing your company unnecessary expenses. Did you know that USA Today said that a lost document costs $120!



When you de-clutter your office by using savvy tips to stay organized, you'll use only a few minutes but the rewards will last forever. Here are ten ways to get rid of office clutter.

1. Assess your space. Do you have a closet or bookcase that can be used to store non-priority files, extra office supplies and background reports? Can you use space to file or store items you don't need immediately somewhere outside of your cubicle?

2. Take immediate action. Make up your mind daily which item you no longer need and get rid of it.

3. On Friday, go through your desk ten minutes before work ends and throw away things that you know are just idle clutter. For ten minutes before the end of your workweek, spend five minutes purging excess paperwork or old files. You'll avoid clutter stacking up which are so difficult to clean daily without going into stress mode or taking up tons of your time.

4. Organize and systemize. Organize paperwork, reports and other documents into files that are filed by a system of priorities. Place your top priority files at the front, and move them to the back when they are completed. Immediately file incoming materials into your organized files, or place at the center of your desk if they are identified as immediate priorities.

5. Remove personal clutter. Minimize or entirely remove your stock of personal photos and mementos.

6. De-clutter your computer. Organize your desktop files into computer file folders easily marked to help you move desktop files into those folders at the end of each workday.

7. Clear floor space. This will create a perception of more space, while also removing obstacles you, your employers or staff, or important guests from tripping over.

8. Don't become a dumping ground. If you are participating in a joint project, appoint a team member to become the central filing and paperwork resource. If a co-worker wants to leave a stack of papers for you to review, offer instead to visit your co-worker's office to review them there. This also presents an opportunity to take a break away from your office.

9. Learn from others. Visit other de-cluttered offices to pick up tips on how to best de-clutter your workspace. Notice how they use desk and floor space efficiently.

10. Keep it clean! Keep your office furniture dusted. Keep your computer clean using cleaning products especially designed for computer stations, keyboards and other technology products. Empty trash bins daily. Throw food stuffs away somewhere other than your office to keep nasty smells out of there. By using these organizational tips, you will see a boost in your job productivity.