Many people often run out of their office door when the clock strikes 5:00 p.m. They often leave behind papers, files, and incomplete projects on their disorganized and cluttered desk. They return to work on the next morning to the same mess on their desk. This can cause the feelings of dissatisfaction and work “Groundhog Day” syndrome. Take five minutes to do the following 5 things before leaving your office each day.
1. Get Rid of The Sticky Notes
Throughout the day, we often take a million notes on our Post Its to remind ourselves to call someone, follow-up on something, do something, etc… We post them on our desk, calendar, file cabinet, or anywhere we can find a semi-clear surface. At the end of the day, go through all of the notes and throw away the ones you’ve already addressed. If there are things you need to do tomorrow, use the information on the notes to make a to-do list for tomorrow. You can also eliminate the use of multiple sticky notes by taking notes in a notebook. You can cross off of put a check besides each task after they are completed.
2. Remove Clutter and Trash From Your Desk
Throw away all gum wrappers, receipts from lunch containers, salt and pepper packets from your work space. Don’t forget to put used paper and water bottles in the recycle container. Don’t leave you desk filed with papers and rubbish scattered around.
3. Make A To Do List For Tomorrow
Determine which things are the absolute top three things you need to accomplish tomorrow. If possible, plan on doing the hardest thing first. Mark Twain said ” Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” By getting the toughest task completed first, everything else will be easy peasy.
4. Use Folders For Excess Papers
Fellow blogger Nikki from At Home With Nikki, recommends using folders and binder clips to neatly organize papers on your desk. Try to eliminate loose papers floating around on your desk. When you arrive to work tomorrow, it will not look overwhelming. You will have each task or project binder clipped in a folder ready for you to tackle.
5. Disinfect Your Work Items
Clean your keyboard, mouse, and phone with an anti bacterial wipe. Our office equipment may carry germs from daily use. Everything we have touched from shaking co-workers hands, our lunch, and the restroom door knobs all in our office. When you arrive to work for your next shift, your keyboard, mouse, and phone will be fresh and ready to use if you disinfect them properly.
I hope you found these tips on things to do before leaving work for a good tomorrow. What are some of your end of work day tasks.
As always, if you need help getting your home and life organized, register for my free “5 Days to an Organized Home & Life” email course. Each day you will receive strategies for keeping your home & life organized and having a “company ready” home at all time. You can register for the free course at www.decoratorsvoice.com/free5daycourse.
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Thanks for stopping by. If you have any organizational or decorating questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I would love to hear from you. For information concerning our decorating services and products, please visit www.divineelementsofdesign.net
I love the list idea. I worked in the training dept. at Franklin Covey and they suggested always updating every note/to do list/schedule before you leave. It will only take a few minutes then but could take quite a bit longer the next day if you have trouble remembering. Then every morning take a 5 minute meeting with yourself to plan out your day and mentally prepare. My husband started doing the morning meetings and it’s changed the way he approaches his job.
Love your ideas!
Wow that is awesome. I love the idea of a 5 minute meeting with yourself each morning. Its great to hear it has helped your husband. Thanks for sharing.
Great post. Seeing a well organised desk can definitely be a motivator to start off the day! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
I needed this today! I love all your ideas especially to clean my desk off so I can start fresh tomorrow!
You’re very welcome. Have an awesome day!
Nakeya,
I love the idea of tackling the hardest task first thing! I always push out the hardest one for last.lol.. Definitely taking your advice. Thanks for the great tips.xoxo
Hello. At first I use to do the hardest thing last, but since I’ve started doing it first it’s making a big difference in my day. I hope it helps you as well.
This is a great list! Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I worked at an insurance agency. Every day before work ended I would write in my notebook my tasks for the next morning to complete, and organize all the papers that were in my desk. It definitely made a difference when it came to my productivity the next morning! And I loved the notebook instead of a ton of post-it notes. I would sometimes just stick a post-it into my notebook if someone brought a note on it to me. That way I didn’t create unnecessary clutter. Everyone in the office kept a notebook on their desk for this purpose.
I rather enjoy a neat and organized work environment. I find it more difficult to keep things that way when I share a desk with two other interns. However, I think if I can keep some of those extra tools around, like the folders and paper clips and even rubber-bands handy and within reach, that maybe I could leave the desk looking fabulous when I leave. I also have recently implemented the “to-do list” idea which has kept me rather focused.
Excellent post!
These are great! I never thought to clean all my things but I bet that would help. I need to try that. I absolutely love starting fresh in the morning.
A fresh start is awesome. Thanks for stopping by.
Good ideas. It only takes a few minutes but it helps.
Thanks for stopping by.
Great tips. It does reduce stress later, and you get to feel a sense of accomplishment. I’d like to leave work in a healthier mindset, so thanks for the advice!
You’re very welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Great tips. I remember working for others before I started my business and having “Groundhog Day” syndrome. Now that I’m self employed I have a freer schedule, but these ideas are still very useful. Thanks!
YES!!! I was nodding my head at all of these things! 1,3 and 5 are a daily thing for me!!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Wonderful tips and ideas! I find it so depressing to get back to work early the next day to find a “mess”! It starts to the day off better to find a clean desk! And the antibacterial wipes – that’s a great reminder!
Yes. Gotta love those wipes. Thanks for stopping by.
These are great tips! Thanks for sharing. Where do you get your inspiration from?
You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.
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