Increasing productivity in your business doesn’t just entail optimizing your equipment and sharpening your attention. Decluttering your computer desktop is also essential.
A clutter-free office is paramount to improving your productivity. Piles of stationery on your desk can cause you to waste a lot of time searching for a critical document. As a result, you’re less likely to meet deadlines.
Clutter can affect you in various indirect ways, too.
It can dramatically reduce your cognitive abilities, impairing your decision-making and relationships with your team members. In addition, it can have an adverse effect on your anxiety, focus, sleep, and eating choices. All of these can reduce your workplace performance.
However, this clutter problem doesn’t just affect your desk or office.
Your computer desktop can also be cluttered. Disorganized folders and a lackluster display impact your productivity as much as physical clutter. To avoid this scenario, you need to declutter your computer as well.
This article will share seven tips on decluttering your computer desktop.
TIP #1 – DEVELOP A FOLDER SYSTEM WITH FILE NAMING
CONVENTIONS
The most
important thing you should do to prevent clutter on your computer is set up an
intuitive folder system. You can use several categories, such as file type or
name, depending on what suits your research or work best.
Regardless
of your approach, be sure to choose well-established naming conventions that
let you quickly navigate through your documents. The system should also be easy
to use for many years to come, so consider your plans when creating it.
You can
place these folders in your file share tools (e.g., Google Drive and Dropbox),
hard drive, or desktop if you back them up regularly.
With a
fully functional structure, you can bypass your desktop by simply downloading
new documents to designated folders. Afterward, you can rapidly locate them
with the search command on your computer. Type in the name of your folder, and
you’ll reach the desired file within seconds.
TIP #2 – MAKE YOUR DESKTOP
ATTRACTIVE TO YOU
Besides making your computer desktop fully functional,
you should also enhance its appeal. So, select a meaningful or beautiful
background. It needs to be enjoyable to look at, motivating you to keep your
computer tidy.
To take the aesthetics to the next level,
set gridded or lined images as the background to organize files that end up
there more easily.
Another great idea is to use a motivational
background. Images with powerful messages encourage you to work harder and
remain focused. This type of coaching also enables you to organize your desktop
and stay on top of clutter.
TIP #3 – CONSIDER SECTIONED DESKTOP WALLPAPER
Sectioned desktop wallpapers are a great
way to enhance your desktop organization further. For instance, you can include
a section for your vacation or pets.
There are millions of wallpapers online
that can help you declutter your desktop. They complement folder naming
conventions to improve your workflow.
TIP #4 – CONSOLIDATE YOUR MOST USED
APPS/SOFTWARE
Having quick access to your most used
programs or software is a must. It allows you to start working immediately
without wasting time searching for apps.
To consolidate efficiently, you should
first determine which software matters most to you. Your portfolio may comprise
two or three apps you use daily or an entire suite of programs that provide the
necessary functionality.
Once you’ve assembled your list, you may be
able to merge multiple programs with a comprehensive solution. It puts them in
one place to streamline your productivity.
The taskbar is an effective alternative, as
program icons are often responsible for the bulk of your clutter. Keeping the
essential icons in the taskbar makes them quickly accessible since you won’t
need to browse.
TIP #5 – DELETE OR RELOCATE UNUSED FILES
After categorizing vital apps, you also
need to address unused programs. Here’s a tip: if you can’t recall when you
last used certain software, uninstall it. Do the same if you don’t think you’ll
need a particular application for an upcoming project.
Since this may be a hard decision, you may
want to create a folder for these rarely used apps and files instead. Tuck them
away until you figure out if you wish to proceed with the deletion.
For this wait-and-see approach, you can
make use of several folders, such as “miscellaneous” or “to be archived.” In
doing so, you won’t accidentally uninstall or remove a crucial program.
After categorizing vital apps, you also
need to address unused programs. Here’s a tip: if you can’t recall when you
last used certain software, uninstall it. Do the same if you don’t think you’ll
need a particular application for an upcoming project.
Since this may be a hard decision, you may
want to create a folder for these rarely used apps and files instead. Tuck them
away until you figure out if you wish to proceed with the deletion.
For this wait-and-see approach, you can
make use of several folders, such as “miscellaneous” or “to be archived.” In
doing so, you won’t accidentally uninstall or remove a crucial program.
TIP #6 – CATEGORIZE NEW CONTENT
Dumping new files and programs onto your
desktop may be tempting if you’re in a hurry. However, this method is
ill-advised because it inhibits your organization.
Try to allocate a few minutes to organize
all new apps and files appropriately, according to your naming conventions. A
quick way to do so is to use automatic file sorting by date or alphabetically.
It doesn’t take long, yet it can significantly reduce clutter on your
computer.
TIP #7 – EMPLOY FENCES
Digital fences group files in specific
regions of your desktop to make them more visually accessible. This method
works much better than burying all your files in one or two folders. Plus, many
people consider it more user-friendly than gridded backgrounds.
For example, the Stacks feature
automatically categorizes content by type or any other specific feature. It’s
available for free on Macs with Mojave.
Likewise, PCs have a similar feature called
Fences. It enables you to designate and move fences around the desktop for
improved maneuverability. The only downside to this is that it’s not
free.
DON’T LET CLUTTER GET OUT OF HAND
Decluttering your computer desktop is one of the best ways to advance your productivity.
Once you’ve organized it appropriately, you’ll be able to find the necessary files and programs effortlessly. You’ll then feel rejuvenated, and your mood may improve dramatically, allowing you to overcome mental obstacles during your workday.
It might take some time to optimize your desktop, but it’ll be well worth it.
You can also assign this job to your IT provider. However, they may not understand your needs and that of your business correctly, and their services might be insufficient.
In that case, let’s have a 10-15-minute chat and see if we can resolve your problem. Give us a call and we’ll do all we can to help you increase office productivity in your business.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.