It's that time again! I let my desk be my dumping ground for new and pending stuff and now it's a mess again

I'm gonna see what I can do in 7 minutes.... maybe 15

Ah!! That feels better! Now I have some space to work with and it just feels nice. About 20 minutes, but I wasn't keeping track.

Alright! I've accepted a challenge (on facebook with some of my friends).

The challenge is to keep one flat surface clear in January. I'm choosing my desk (because it affects me the most). Anyone care to join in?

I'm in! I started two nights ago, didn't really do anything yesterday other than delete files off an external hard drive that I'm going to give away.

I have a huge pile in the back left to clean and some random things on the right that I have to find a home for - better than teh piles I had there.

Then I'll tackle the 2nd chair so my bf has a place to sit if he wants (or the cats).

THEN I'll tackle the floor. My cat has a wonderful habit of lying on my desk and stretching out till she pushes stuff on the floor. When I pick it up she does it again <sigh>

I just picked up a new bookkeeping project so it's important that I don't lose stuff!

Go Diane! You're doing great!!

My main problem with my desk is that it's a dumping ground. You know, "I'll do that later, stick it on my desk" BAD PLAN. Working on it:)

I made good progress clearing my desk yesterday, actually putting some things away-away, not just sticking them somewhere else. More to do, but progress is good.

OK! Got my desk cleared off!! I took an hour today, and did the whole thing, putting things where they go, instead of 'elsewhere'. Plus I disconnected and packed up a router that doesn't work, decluttered my 'decorations' and one of my drawers and dusted the whole thing!

Even DH was impressed, we haven't seen this much wood in a while

Now my goal is to keep it clear, putting things away when I'm done with them. Also, working on writing down a task and putting the object where it goes instead of plopping the object on my desk as a 'reminder' that tends to get buried...

I've been keeping my desk relatively clear and I'm loving it! It's so nice to have the space to use the stuff I'm using, and it REALLY doesn't take that long to put it away and take it out again when I need it.

How does your desk look??

Not much better than when I did some work on it a couple of weeks ago..... BUT not much worse either

Diane, not much worse is a great thing!

Not much worse is definitely a good thing. I too, am working diligently to get things done in my office. Right now it is not pretty, but only because I just spread out my inbox and also am installing some new software and have that stuff there too and am reorganizing things to start a new biz venture that has been on hold.

by the end of the day it WILL be back to where I have gotten it and will have an almost clear desktop!

I have set up a binder to file day to day expenses and receipts, Have a folder for SO to track his separate items that he can look at easily, and have all folders in place for 2012, so as things are coming in now, they are being handled right away.

I have also corralled all the papers that have found their way onto kitchen counters and dining room table(SO'S 2 favorite dropping spots) and the end table by his chair, and told him where incoming papers need to be set. To make it easy(and consistenet for him right now), one corner of kitchen counter, then I can read toss and handle what needs to be done quickly. I figure that as the office progresses, I will get him to do the dropping on the corner of the desk.....one step at a time!