“A messy desk is a sign that you’re a really important and busy person at work”. That is what a colleague once told me and I scoffed at him. Admit it: you’re too lazy to clean up your desk. We all are; it’s a universal mindset.

But we have to admit that cleaning up your desk is important if you want to work comfortably in the office. This is especially important since we spend so many hours at our work desk. Why would you want to swim through a mountain of documents? Or fight off ants crawling around bits of the turkey sandwich you had two months ago? Don’t make it hard for yourself.

So where do you begin this process?

You can follow these tips:

Organise
This is especially true when it comes to documents and stationery. Most desks have cabinets so keep the most important items at the top drawers where they can be easily reached. You can also use a desk tray organiser or a cup for your stationery. A letter tray is also useful for storing papers and you can compartmentalise each tray to suit your needs.

It’s also good to be reminded of all the tasks you have to complete. To do this, stick post-it notes on a nearby wall or on your computer. But if you prefer the hi-tech way, use an online calendar, such as the iCal (if you’re an Apple user), or any sticky notes application on your computer.

Keep things at a minimum
Limit decorations on your desk as much as possible. While it’s great to personalise your work area so it won’t look so dull, putting too many stuffed toys, mini figurines and pictures of loved ones is going to clutter your desk (not to mention, they will collect dust over time).

Also, keep your stationery at a minimum. Why do you need so many pens anyway?

Clean your desk before you leave
Don’t just skyrocket your way out the door the second you’re finished with work. It’s good to take a moment to neaten your desk — even just a little bit. Imagine coming back the next day to find a desk that’s clean and tidy, it will put your mind at ease. Keep doing this more often and eventually it will turn into a habit.

Furthermore, a brief clean-up can be a stress-reliever for some people. The process of cleaning up or organising can have a de-cluttering effect on some individuals’ minds.