Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Lessons Learned from Keeping a Clutter-free Desk

I've kept my office clean for a month.

That may not seem like much of an accomplishment to you. For far too long, I lived by a desk cluttered with files. I always knew where things were so I didn't think I needed to make a change.

But my wife finally, um, helped me see the errors of my ways.

Actually, I think she didn't believe I'd be able to keep my desk clear of clutter. And I wasn't sure if I could, either.

But I have. And I like it.

I learned some good lessons in clearing the clutter and maintaining a clutter-free desk.

  • It's easier to actually be organized than not.
  • I have more room to spread out papers and files when I need to. (And then I can put them away when I don't need them.)
  • Old clips and notes are like boxes that remain unpacked 60 days after a move: You'll never get to them. (This weekend, I also cleaned out a box at the basement at home from when we last moved -- 12 years ago.)
  • Social media tips from 2006 no longer are that relevant. Yes, we're still in the midst of a social media revolution, but way back in 2006, the focus was on blogs and podcasts, not social networks like Facebook (mostly MySpace), YouTube and Twitter.
  • Back in 2006, trying to figure out appropriate metrics for social media did not exist. The lack of accepted metrics continues to be a problem these years later.
  • I actually get more things done.
  • I have a nice cherry wood desk.

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