Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Clutter
My desk is a mess. I try to keep it clean, but I just can't seem to manage it. So, every once in a while I'll make piles. I name them "Urgent," "Important," and "Everything Else." Then I add to those until they start to topple over.
Finally, I sit down and go through my piles. I complete whatever task is required to get rid of the piece of paper in the pile. If I need to make a phone call, I make a phone call. If I need to write a letter, I write a letter. If I need to look up some information, I look up some information. Then, I either throw the piece of paper away or file it in its proper place until all the piles are gone.
It usually takes a good two days to get through my piles. The problem is, I'm at that point where the piles are toppling, but I don't have two days to devote to sorting through them. (I'd take a picture of my desk and upload it for you, but that task would have to go in one of my "to do" piles because my teen borrowed my camera and didn't put it back.)
What kind of desk do you have? The clean kind or the sloppy kind? What are your strategies for getting the administrative tasks in your life done?
posted by Deeanne at 9:30 AM
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5 Comments:
ValMarie said...
I work better if I don't have clutter in my field of vision when I'm working. However, that rarely happens. I've got a couple of stacks of paper on one side of my desk (mostly printed out chapters from my critique partner), my Bible next to my keyboard, a bunch of pens that should be in the holder, a thing of yogurt and some CDs.
Eventually, I'll get fed-up, put everything away and start the whole cycle over again.
1:32 PM
Deeanne said...
Oh, Val. I need some lessons on how to do that. A couple of stacks? I'm so impressed. Though, I do keep my pens in the holder! It's a start! ;-)
3:21 PM
Barb said...
OK, I just get a big fat F on this whole issue. And don't ask about the floor around my desk either! But it's genetic. My extremely successful dad was the same way, and one time a secretary actually came thru and cleaned the top of his desk for him and he was mortified. He couldn't find anything then becuz to him, his "mess" WAS organized, but it just looked really bad. It's sorta like that in my world too. Sorta....
4:30 PM
Barb said...
PS--I think ValMarie deserves a prize for Excellence in Desk Management! Maybe a beauteous floral paperweight, or a fine selection of some funky-fun sticky paper. :o)
4:52 PM
ValMarie said...
Oooh! I won a prize! I pick the sticky paper. :-p
Seriously though, I'm in love with office supplies. It's like some kind of addiction.
My husband thinks it's amusing. When he has to go to Home Depot for awhile (we're in the midst of major work on our house), he just drops me off at the nearest Staples or Office Max and leaves me there. He then knows that he can spend as much time at Home Depot as he needs and I won't complain. *rolls eyes*
7:52 AM
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