Anyone who works with me at Traxmo immediately notices my computer Desktop. It is completely icon free. I don't have 'My Computer', 'My Documents', I don't have shortcuts to Chrome or Office on it ' because I like to keep things as tidy as possible. I use other tricks to access my tools of the trade ' key mapping on my keyboard, the Quick Launch toolbar, and others.
Of course, wanting to keep things tidy extends to my desk as well. Now, I know that while each person's computer desktop is different, most of us prefer to work on a tidy desk. Having worked at a small company, and as a freelancer, I know that our desks can get cluttered up very quickly.
So here are 3 tips to making sure that the desk clutter is kept to a minimum:
1. A White Board
You know all those sticky notes that you stuck around your monitor? And those notes that are held down by your keyboard? And that message that John propped on your coffee mug?
Not only is it untidy, but sticky notes have a tendency to get unstuck, fall behind your desk and land in the most inaccessible area. The tendency increases, by the way, as the note is more important. There's probably a Murphy's Law about it. Notes under your keyboard get in the way of actually using the keyboard, and the message hid the coffee mug for three days.
What do I use?
A white board. A big one. It has room for sticky notes, people scribble messages on it for me, and my kids enjoy drawing on it when they come and visit. So it's a win-win situation. The white board is on the wall, out of the way, and I don't have to clutter up my desk with notes any more!
2. Online Invoicing
Invoices are a pain in themselves, but they never come alone. To invoice your clients, you also need to keep records (more sticky notes), make sure you keep track of your time (because you want to get paid for your efforts), and print out copies (depending on your taxation laws and client requirements). All in all, this means a whole lot of documentation on your desk, which builds up daily (you want to track your time and get paid, remember?).
Of course invoices have a way of disappearing, and billable hours are forgotten only to be found three months after you completed the contract. So bascially, just because you don't keep a tidy desk ' you lose money.
What do I use?
An online invoicing tool. Traxmo, in my case. Keeping the financial stuff online ' billable hours, client invoices, records of projects and tasks ' just makes it easier to keep on top of things, and keep things off your desk. They don't get lost, don't become ilegible after you spill coffee over them, and don't tear along the most vital line.
3. Coffee Mug Holder
Ah, coffee. The beverage of the workaholic, that helps you through long hours of sitting at your computer, racing to complete your project on time. But what happens when you mix half drunk coffee mugs on a desk and someone who reaches to get his notebook or tissue? A mess, that's what happens. Yes, this happened to me quite often ' possibly because I'm clumsy.
The solution is, of course, simple. A coffee mug holder!
This article is an original contribution by Daniel Kleinfeld.
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