A well-organized cubicle has its benefits. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it’s easier to move around in and work in. If you’re not the tidiest of individuals, you’re likely to be losing valuable time searching for missing files, emails or office supplies. A few simple tips can help you increase efficiency, decrease frustration and transform your personal workspace into a place you look forward to spending a good portion of your day in:

 

1. Develop a system that works for you.  Each person has a different way of working. Think about what it will take to get you organized once and for all. Do you need to purchase organizational supplies to help you get on track or will a new frame of mind do the trick? Knowing what will help you organize your cubicle in a way that promotes efficiency and creative thinking is key. It’s the first step in your journey to becoming a better, more productive worker.
2. Purchase the supplies needed to keep things neat and organized. There are a number of different items you can buy to keep your desk and cubicle in order. Caddies, filing cabinets and bulletin boards are good places to start. Cord holders, magnetic pen holders, collapsible baskets and storage containers are among organizational supplies that you can pick up at any office supply store or big box retailer that sells stationery supplies.
3. Make your workspace “flow”. Your desk should have a left-to-right workflow. Take in paperwork on the left side, complete it in the middle, and put it to the right to pass onto others in your office. Once you’ve established this system, keep with it. Don’t deviate from it. It could very well throw off your day making it impossible to be productive.
4. Use inbox cleaning apps. There are a number of applications available that will automatically sort through the email in your inbox. Instead of wasting valuable time searching for a specific sender, you can go to a file and see every message they have ever sent you in one place.
5. Use scheduling software to remember important dates. If you use an electronic calendar, set it up so you get hourly or daily reminders of scheduled events. This will keep you from being unprepared and allow you to see any scheduling conflicts instantly. Instead of insisting that you be in two places at once, you can see where problems would arise and ask if there’s a better time to meet or complete a project.
6. Hide your cords. Find a way to keep cords from tangling and becoming a nuisance. The website Lifehacker.com recommends using rain gutter to prevent cord clutter from ruining the appearance of your newly organized workspace.
7. Use hidden storage items. There are floating shelves that you can buy that give books the appearance that they’re suspended in air. This is a great way to keep them off your desk. You can also purchase a number of magnetic containers that hold paper clips, push pins, and other odds and ends. You can minimize the amount of items on your desk by making use of hidden storage items.
8. Dry erase boards keep important messages at the forefront of your mind. A magnetic dry erase board can be a great motivator. You can use it to remind yourself of important details about a project, set goals and even pass on a positive message or quote to your colleagues. Make sure to clean it often and invest in different colours of dry erase markers to make words pop and ideas stand out in your mind.
9. Find items that are multi-functional. Invest in items that do more than one job. This eliminates the need to have several pieces of equipment or office tools that perform one task but take up a lot of space. A good example of this is a phone/fax/copier/printer. You have the option of doing one of four tasks using one machine. It’s convenient, tidy and accessible.
10. Make tidying up part of your daily routine. It’s not enough to organize your cubicle if you’re not committed to keeping it clean. Take a few moments each day to put everything in its respected spot. This will make finding it easier and prevent any obstacles involving clutter from messing up the Zen-like atmosphere you’ve developed.

 

Organizing your cubicle is easier than you think. Tackle an area in your workspace and then move onto another immediately afterwards. In very little time, you’ll be able to see progress. Your cubicle will be clean and organized and your day will be more structured and efficient because you won’t be wasting time stacking one pile of paper onto another or wasting valuable company time looking for a missing memo or stapler. Article written by Charissa Struble