Marie Kondo launched into popularity with the KonMari method. She’s a Japanese organizing consultant who managed to successfully launch four books and multiple TV appearances. Her method of organization is simple, straightforward, and effective. She often helps people one-on-one with their organization skills and while we can’t all have Marie Kondo guiding us through our workspace clutter – following her principles should be a great way to start! Here’s what we can all do to create (and maintain!) a more organized office space:
Do not use the desk surface for storage
The top of the desk is your workspace – not a storage space. It should be used to hold all the items you are working on at a particular time. Stacks of papers, pens, binders, books, and other office materials should not be left on the desk to take up valuable space. Ask yourself – will I be using these for today’s work? If not – put them away since they are considered clutter.
Designate a space for every item
This is a home habit that wonderfully translates to our workspace. Basically, it means that every item must have its place – and each item must be returned to its designated space after every use. Clutter mainly happens because we fail to put items back in their proper place – creating a jumble of priorities in our heads. You will find that by simply setting aside items not currently in use, you can clear your headspace and really focus on the task at hand.
Store items by category
A mind is a grouping machine – it categorizes items and essentially puts them in a mental “box” for easy retrieval. It makes sense to have the same system when we organize our things in the office. This helps us retrieve items quickly, put them back in place, and have a quick inventory of what needs to be topped up. Categories really depend on what you already have in the office. Papers and supplies go in one drawer, client files in another, food items in a different drawer, and so on. This lets you figure out exactly what you need at a time to prevent oversupply.
Use boxes for storage
Using organization tools like boxes or holders can help you with your organization journey. Boxes make categorization easier so that you can store things upright and designate small spaces in an otherwise open space. This goes well for storing small items in desks or cabinets. The stapler, pen, sticky notes, staples, and all others tools can fit into one convenient box that keeps their occupied space properly contained.
Let some items go
Much like with our personal items – some office items no longer need to be part of your workspace. The keep-donate-trash method works here too and you can start freeing up the room to create more zen. Old papers, outdated books, unusable pens, and expired snacks are just some of the things you can remove without any guilt whatsoever. This has the added advantage of letting you do an inventory of the items you already have.
By following these basic principles, you’ll be able to create and sustain a zen spot that promotes workflow throughout the year. Try doing this for all your other spaces with a dedicated declutter each month and you’ll be able to make the most out of your environment.
