10 Easy Tips for Digging Out Your Desk Today

Has your polished mahogany (or modular plastic) desk been buried for so long that you can't remember what your desk is made out of? If so, use these tips to clear yourself some space to work in, and stay on top of your most urgent action items.

Get it VERTICAL!

If you take a piece of paper and put it somewhere flat, it takes up almost a square foot of space. The instant that you put anything on top of it, you're halfway to compost.

When you sort your paper into a vertical sorter, you can fit more than two reams of paper into that same square foot of physical space that just one piece of paper occupies!

Try an escalating wire-sorter, which makes a visual to-do list out of multiple files. It "climbs" so the top of each file sticks up above the one in front of it and makes them all easily visible. Use several sorters to improve fingertip access to your information: People, Projects and Meetings. Does it really belong on your desk? The only things that are on top of my desk: computer monitor, desk caddy, phone and message book, and the stapler. Strive for nothing else on your desktop unless you're working on it that day.

Making Room on Your Desk

Ditch those coffee cups of pens/pencils and use one desk caddy, which spins around for easy access. If you took all the basic tools that fit in the desk caddy and spread them on your desk it takes up two square feet. The desk caddy footprint only uses eight inches squared.

If you like spreading out big projects, you can pick up the desk caddy, take it into another room, spread out your materials, and you've got an instant "office".

Desk Drawers Equal Action Drawers

Get an in-drawer tray organizer for your desk tools instead of a desk caddy. When you sit down at your desk, just leave the top 'bureau' drawer open so your tray is available while you're working.

In the second "bureau" drawer, keep a calculator, a tray for expenses, business cards, or stamps; all the things you use frequently.

My Action Drawer Categories: Business, Finances, Clients, Networks, Product, and Personal. Your categories are for the files that you're into on a daily basis.

Keeping Your Desk Clear

1. Don't let it land on your desk unless it's an action item. Keep an inbox for mail and a 'to be filed' sorter away from your desktop.

2. Keep your Action files vertical and labeled, so you can see what you need to do today.

3. When you finish with any piece of paper, move it out of your Action Zone. Put it into your file sorter, or recycle it.

4. Check out the cost-effective Home and Small Business File Kits that I use in my own business, which makes it easy for me to guarantee your satisfaction. www.organize.com

Enjoy getting control over your desk again!

If you like, sign up for more time-saving tips at http:///www.organize.com

10 Easy Tips for Digging Out Your Desk Today
by Eve Abbott, the Organizer Extraordinaire
Excerpts from her new book, "How to Do Space Age Work with a Stone Age Brain"TM

Copyright, Eve Abbott All Rights Reserved.

Eve Abbott's newest book is available online at http://www.organize.com. Remember to sign up for more of the Organizer Extraordinaire's time-saving tips. Enjoy free brain quizzes to help you work at your personal best!

shuttle from O'Hare Bingham .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Attackers use caller ID spoofing and AI voices to steal money. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides seven ways to protect yourself.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about the Genesis GV60 MIV, an electric rescue EV with snow tracks for extreme missions.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you ensure a smooth online experience with a reliable, secure home network setup.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about Vollebak’s Shielding Suit, which blocks EM radiation, infrared and tracking for privacy.
Even Apple products are vulnerable to cybercriminals, and a new report suggests the owners of Mac products will have to be more vigilant this year.
An inflatable six-person tiny house from a firm called 2001 looks like a space station with its inflatable dome that is transportable and eco-friendly.
Scams cost Americans an estimated $159 billion every year and average about $3,500 in losses per victim. The CyberGuy has advice to protect yourself.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Zeekr and Waymo are joining forces for the world's first mass-produced autonomous vehicle, combining an electric vehicle with self-driving technology.
A humanoid robot training center has opened in Shanghai, a big step in China's efforts to become a global leader in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Security experts have discovered that hackers are targeting apps on the App Store to spread malware that steals information from saved screenshots.
A new luxury SUV combines military-inspired design and high-end luxury transportation and includes two military-grade gas masks to protect against chemical warfare.
80% of stalking victims are tracked using tech. GPS trackers, like AirTags, are among the most popular ways to do it. Here's how to protect yourself.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how to protect yourself against artificial intelligence-fueled romance scams, which have become the most common type of fraud in 2025.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the steps to declutter text messages on a Mac or iPad. Apple offers ways to do this more efficiently.
Here's how to take control of the algorithms on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok if your social media feeds aren't showing you content you want to see.
Beware of iCloud scams using urgent messages. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you spot the red flags to protect yourself.
Travel abroad worry-free with these top translation apps for travelers. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson highlights some favorites.
The European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope was going through preliminary tests in September 2023 when it captured images of an Einstein Ring in a nearby galaxy.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says hackers are using Microsoft Teams for phishing, vishing and quishing via social engineering.
Red light camera tickets: Not liable to ID the driver; some are fishing expeditions. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you fight back against tricky fake tickets.
The apps collecting the most data about you are among the most widely used. Kurt the CyberGuy takes a look at 20 of these apps and how you can protect personal information.
AST SpaceMobile of Texas is developing the world's first global cellular broadband network that can connect directly to your smartphone without special equipment.
Community Health Center, a Connecticut-based healthcare provider, has disclosed a recent data breach affecting over 1 million people in the U.S.

Basic Organizing Principles

So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't... Read More

10 Myths of Clutter Clearing

1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More

New Business? Changing Careers? Youve Got a Whole New Ball Game

When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More

Common Clutter Culprits- How to Bust Through Clutter

Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More

Clutter Campaign - Select Your Tools

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More

Declutter for Sucess

Finish each day and be done with it. You have... Read More

How Can I Deal With It All?

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More

A Personal Action Plan for Change

There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More

Organization Tips - How To Get Things Done

What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More

10 Common Roadblocks to Getting Organized

1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More

Spring Cleaning

Spring is such a refreshing time- we are filled with... Read More

It?s Spring Cleaning Time? Let?s Make Room For Abundance!

I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More

Daily Systems Keep You Organized

Ever wonder how they do it? How a short-order cook... Read More

Clear Your Clutter and Free Your Life

Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More

10 Tips to Get Organized and Clutter-Free- Now!

1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More

Organizing - Time is of the Essence!

What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More

Organizing Tips to Help You Conquer the Laundry Monster

Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ?... Read More

Thinking Outside the Box

Much of my time as a Professional Organizer is spent... Read More

Tossing and Turning

"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More

Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards to Organize Your Life

Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards... Read More

Secrets to Eliminating Emotional Clutter

Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More

Organization Tips - How to Set Up Your Database

What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More

To Make a Change -- Take a Chance

Life is really all about CHANGE. In order to make... Read More

Lightening The Load

When I tell people what a FREEING experience moving is,... Read More

Get Organised Before Its Too Late

Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More

Mishawaka limo O'Hare ..