TIPS ‘N’ TRICKS
We all use a desk, either as a study table, to place our laptop and books on, or to use it for writing articles for newspapers or even studying. Whatever the size of the desk is, it does become our workstation, for students and professionals alike. Keeping an organized desk is significant for increasing productivity. Students need a clean desk so they can focus on their studies. To do so, they need to have their books and stationery items placed neatly on their desk. Professionals need to tidy their desks so it is less cluttered and they can keep their documents, papers, and other items organized.
An organized desk also has a psychological advantage for it gives you the freedom to think, motivates you to do your work, and reduces your stress levels. Moreover, a tidy desk affects your personality; it enables you to think properly and remain calm. Here, the concept of Feng Shui also comes into play which is the way you organize items on your desk. Wondering what Feng Shui is? Well, Feng shui is an ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China. It talks about how one can balance the energies of any given space to assure health and good fortune for people inhabiting it. One of the basic ways to check the energy flow in your home is to imagine Chi, or energy, as water. If water were to flow onto your desk from one end to the other, where would it encounter obstruction? Would it flow smoothly to all areas of your space, or come to a standstill, creating a puddle?
Here are a few ways you can create a good flow of Chi, or in other words, organize your desk for increased productivity and motivation.
Desktop PC/Laptop
If you have a desktop PC on your desk, keep the monitor at eye level. When sitting straight, you should not have to slouch or bend your back. Keep the keyboard and mouse on the desk but place the CPU beneath the desk because a CPU occupies space. In case of using a laptop, you only need to keep the laptop and the mouse on the table. Using a laptop has another advantage, too; you can utilize the rest of the desk as a laptop consumes less space.
Printers/Scanners/Fax Machines
Avoid keeping printers/scanners/fax machines on the study table because they are occasionally used and occupy and obstruct space, which you can keep free for other commonly used items. You can keep the printer/scanner/fax machines near the desk on another table.
Telephone
In case of a cell phone, you can keep it at an accessible spot. However, if you also keep a landline phone on your table, then place it at the desk’s upper right corner. This is the usual place to keep it and since it is on the upper right corner, you get to use the rest of the desk for yourself.
Papers and documents
Use a file container when you have papers and documents that you have to use or keep with you for future use. This will keep your papers in one place. Remember, a desk with scattered papers is the most confusing to work on.
Personal items
We keep personal items on the desk such as a photo album, a diary, action figures, mugs, etc. Restrict it to three to five personal items on the desk, depending on their size. Place them at one side of the desk so they are not scattered around. Since the landline phone is placed in the upper right corner, therefore, you can use the desk’s upper left corner for placing your personal items. That is, if you are not a southpaw! If you are a leftie, the opposite arrangement will suffice.
Stationary Items
We do need stationary items throughout the day. We tend to place many stationary items because they are attractive and many people are fond of using stationary items. However, it is best to keep only those stationery products on your desk which you really need. These include pen(s), stapler, paper puncher, glue, marker, etc. If you have a stationary bag, then you can keep other items in it, too, such as pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, ruler, ink remover, etc. However, keeping a mug on the desk to place your stationary items in it is a good practice. The mug serves the decorative purpose while also keeping your stationery organized.
Open space
Always keep an open space at the lower right side of the desk. This space should be equal to an A4 size paper. You can use it to place your cup of tea, glass of water, cell phone, or can use it for signing documents, or for placing any random item that you might use for a while. Moreover, by keeping this area free also vacates your mind because we normally look at our right side when working and we will feel motivated and at ease by looking at the free space. Southpaws, adjust accordingly!
Drawers
Make sure that your desk has at least two drawers. Having more drawers is always good. You can keep your essential items in them which you use daily or occasionally. They can include your wallet, telephone diary, digital gadgets, documents, extra stationary items, accessories, etc.
Clear the clutter
We normally tend to clutter our space. We buy something and keep its packaging with us; we receive a document and keep its envelope; we buy things and keep the shoppers with us. If you think that any item is creating clutter, you can always discard it. However, in case you might need to use it later, you can keep it in your cupboard.
An organized desk will do wonders for you and it will benefit you in more than one way. Hope these tips will add productivity in your life.
