Today’s assignment:
Take just five minutes to clear off some of the accumulated items on your computer’s desktop. This short period of time may or may not clear it completely, but it will help.
- trash any files you don’t need anymore
- put into folders any files you do still need
- ideally, your desktop wouldn’t have more than 10 folders on it, everything else should be in sub-folders within those.
If your desktop is a real mess, do this again for the next five days. Put it on your calendar with an alarm to make sure you do it. And remember, spend JUST five minutes.
A cluttered computer desktop is just as anxiety-producting as a cluttered real-life desktop.
Penelope Tip: reward yourself for having cleaned up your computer’s desktop by downloading some pretty “wallpapers”. I like this website. Dig into the archives. There are some really pretty ones there.
And here’s a look at the desktop of one of my three computers, just because people are asking about it. (I had no idea people would be so curious!)
Meredith’s DesktopI really do try to keep my desktop very clean. If I have an item outside a folder on my desktop temporarily that’s fine, but I deal with it and either trash it or file it by the end of my work day. That’s just a Penelope trait of mine. I know lots of people who get a ton of great work done who don’t keep such spare desktops.
What about you? What does your computer desktop look like?
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree that clearing the desktop on a regular basis is a necessity.
But because I have such a visual memory, my approach is to gather all the icons on my desktop and sweep them into a folder labeled with the month and year.
All those folders eventually get swept into a folder called “Desktop Tidies.”
What this does for me is recreate a moment in time (it’s a bit like OS X Time Machine in that way). I might not remember a file name, but I’ll remember that I was also working on such and such around the same time.
Eccentric, but works for me.
I only keep the big programs like Google Chrome, iTunes, and My Documents on my desktop. I do have a TON of folders within My Docs and My Pictures though. Thanks for the visit…no worries if you can’t link up. I think the link thing will close early tomorrow morning (like 2 or 3 am).
I usually just have the short cuts to my hard drives a some random design pictures I need to upload to Picasa or that I am saving for a post on my blog. I have a picture of lavender as my wallpaper (you know lavender and lilies? lavender.) Great post. You inspire me to be a better person!
I came into work this morning, booted up my computer, took one look at my desktop and thought “Too cluttered!” I cleared off a few docs and thought I’d check my google reader….and there you were! So…back to my desktop
I rarely have a clean desktop, but my husband always does. Just last weekend we were sitting on the sofa, side-by-side, with our laptops and he laughed at my messy desktop and challenged, “I bet you could get that clean in under 5 minutes” – and just like your post – he was right. So many tasks seems like they will take a ridiculous amount of time, but really it is the procrastination that takes the most time! So what does my desktop look like? A close up photo of tulips (yellow, red, and green are the prominent colors) that I took on vacation last April at the Tulip Festival in the Puget Sound. Two icons – Hard Drive, and my To-Do list. It has been easier to keep it clean now that I know how quick it is!
This is one place where I could definitely do some decluttering (well, one of many places, to be honest)! Thanks for the reminder that my desktop deserves some serenity as well. Plus, it really doesn’t take that long. I also LOVE the website you recommended.
Thanks!
I am so excited that I found your website! It has just the stuff I need to become more organized. I just cleaned my desktop based on your tips and I all ready feel more organized in life!
I keep mine pretty tidy, but have to do this every so often. Right now my desktop wallpaper is a print made from a tree stump. It’s pretty incredible.
Glad you enjoyed the “weekend reading.” I liked the Pottery Barn knock-off piece too.
I’m usually really good about my computer files, but lately I’ve been slacking and putting all loose ends into one folder. I have to have a clear desktop though, it’s mandatory for me! I just need to clean out that one folder….
You always seems to know just what I should be doing. Is that because we are Penelope’s? Is there some magnetic pull? I don’t know, but thanks for the post. My desktop looks oh so much better.
mine is a little messy right now. getting a used laptop soon with a brand new hard drive so hopefully i can keep that one clean since it will be more for me… i’ll let my hubby clog this one up.
and yes, i’m just about crying about the colts too. so sad. but i still think they are the best team in the NFL.
I read the assignment wrong the first time. Now the top of my desk is clean and I have a clean desktop! Both in less than 5 min. Very refreshing!