Last week, we got our keyboards nice and clean. Now, we need to give a little love to our desks as a whole. This assignment applies to you whether you work at a formal office, a home office or at a nook in the kitchen.
Let’s take just 8-10 minutes and see what we can do. Move fast and don’t get distracted. This shouldn’t take a bunch of time or be a big struggle.
- Take everything that’s not plugged in off your desk.
- Get a damp cloth and wipe down the entire surface of the desk.
- If you haven’t already cleaned your keyboard, take a minute to do that.
- Gently use a dry cloth (or these handy anti-static monitor wipes) to dust your monitor.
- Wipe down your phone and other items you’re constantly putting your hands on with a Glass Plus Wipes towelette. Look at the handset of your phone where your ear goes. Isn’t that gross?
- Quickly glance through your pencil cup and make sure you’ve only got pens, etc. in there that you really use. Remove anything that shouldn’t be there. (For example, you probably don’t need that half of a red crayon in that cup, right?)
- Now start to put things back on your desk, but use this opportunity to ditch anything that doesn’t have to be there. A less cluttered desk = a less cluttered mind.
I realize that there are many more things you could do to fully clean every item on your desk, but, for our purposes here, we’re just looking for a good, simple level of clean. I think if we feel that we have to get into the nittiest of the gritty in tasks like these, we’re less likely to actually tackle them. So, for now, this is good enough.
Now, step back and admire your handiwork. Feels good, doesn’t it?
Good job, Penelope. Now back to work.
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oh, what, did you pop over to my blog today and see my post about my horrendously messy desk or something?! ha ha =P I just saw your post pop up in my reader as I was about to power down, clear the desk, and start cleaning (my office is turning into a guest room tomorrow!) ,but I had to click over first!
Off to clean, clean, clean! =P
Hello!
I am so excited that you have a new button for your blog. I will be adding it to my blog soon!
Rachel
P.S. Your desk cleaning tip is really great!
I soooo need to do this. thanks for always reminding me to be organized.
Okay so clearly you popped into my house and saw my desk today, I mean WTF with the timing here!
My desk is the worst it has ever been, and that is sayin’ something!
Off to clear the desk and purge crap now…
Love the blog!
There is nothing like a freshly cleaned desk. It is right up there with using a freshly sharpen pencil on a new sheet of paper.
No, I can’t see into your work spaces, but I DO know that we all have to do this little maintenance task every month or so.
I think it makes us more productive to work at a freshly clean desk.
It’s amazing what just a few minutes can do. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference. Thanks!
every month or so?! i have to do this every week. and normally i do it EXACTLY the way you’re describing here. unless i’m lazy (happens sometimes) then i use a swiffer duster (yes.. i wipe AROUND the things – haha)
Hi Meredith
I’m writing this comment from a desk in total chaos.
I really need to follow your list and get organised.
Right let’s make a start… take everything that’s not plugged in off your desk.
So far so good.LOL
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