Your Desk

• Your desk needs to be organized in such a way that everything you need is within reach, and it is easy for others to understand the way you have things arranged. There will be times when people will need something from your desk when you are either out sick or on vacation, so being organized can help others find what they need and it can also safeguard the things you want to keep private.
  
  One clutter problem on an average working desk is the equipment used to do the job. Computers, monitors, paper trays and telephones seem to get thrown anywhere there is open space. The best way to handle this clutter is to arrange equipment in a way that eliminates wasted space, but keeps the equipment within your reach. Does your computer need to be on your desk? Can it be safely put under your desk? Would a computer monitor stand with storage compartments be an efficient way to use your monitor and also utilize space for keeping important documents handy? These are the questions you should be asking yourself when organizing the equipment on your desk.
  
  There should be a space set aside on your desk for writing and working. Once you have established an area where you will allow yourself to work, there should be no clutter in that area.
  
  You know what information makes its way to your desk, and you know what paperwork comes and goes every day. Use stacking paper trays to help organize the important paperwork, and put the in-baskets on top for others to easily access without simply dropping paperwork anywhere on your desk.
  
  

Your Habits

• Being wasteful in your desk organizational habits, and your work habits, can cost you money and advancement. If you are not organized then you can lose track of projects and cause deadlines to be moved. This costs your company money, and it can reflect poorly on you. When you are at work your priority should be getting the job done, and socializing during work hours should only be done to further your project goals.
  
  Create a main priority list and post it somewhere prominent at your desk so you can see it every day. Be sure to put any important deadlines on those tasks, and put them in order according to deadlines. Each evening before you leave for the day you should take the time to create a task list for the next day based on the things that need to be done, and then the next day this task list should drive your entire day's activities. Focusing on the jobs at hand, and keeping information organized and accessible, will help you to increase your productivity and that will help you when it comes time for raises and promotions. When you do not pay attention to details, then you lose out on those raises and you lose out on money you could have had.