Desk dumpster day is otherwise known as lets get rid of the weekly clutter that's built up.

I got to my office this morning after a day off work - and wondered who's office I had wandered into. There was paper, files and "stuff" everywhere. Realising it was indeed my own office (it didn't take much working out you understand), I began to clean up the mess. Some of it was of my own making - and some of it related to a course that had been run and the remnants needed actioning.

So it began:

1. I checked the email - and actioned all important items. This took about 5 minutes. All non-urgent stuff did not get opened, did not get read and would be dealt with at a more appropriate time.

2. I organised the next training course, which is due to run next Tuesday - but involved a technological component. I needed to set it up today so it could be checked and be ready to rock next week. And the first real major task of the day.
2a. Manuals, papers, pens, handouts, notes, were organised.

3. I then went back into my office. And I moved everything onto one part of my desk - leaving me some working space. I don't know what it is about other people - but they must assume if there is a bit of clear space - they just have to fill it.

4. I then began to sort and file. Each item took a few minutes to sort.
4a. Do it now - anything that could be done within a 5 minute slot was actioned and dealt with.
4b. Dump it - it's not important, so why keep it.
4c. Delegation? No, nothing on the pile needed passing on - which left -
4d. Delay it. Delaying something is not procrastination - just a better use of time, energy and space. Delaying an item that will take more than 5 minutes to do (after you have done your initial sorting phase) is important as it gives you time to organise your thoughts whilst organising the do in 5 minutes or less items.

Once this phase had been finished, I then moved onto the calendar and worked out what was next on the project phase, and slotted in the "dealyed" items. Next week is a particularly busy one. We are running a number of training programs which need organising. Spreadsheets were updated - and within a few hours my life (and my desk) was back to normal.

It may seem like a boring and pointless thing to do, not to mention regimented - but if you don't spend a few minutes organising your day and as tomorrow is a friday - next week, then you will start next week not knowing where you are and what you are supposed to be doing. Can you imagine not scheduling time in your calendar to attend that important business meeting, or writing the report for that important business meeting, or making note of the visit to the dentist - which you've had to put off a dozen times already because you've forgotten about it.

It is also a good time to make sure all your bills are scheduled and ready for payment, and your ethical debts are paid (any birthday cards / presents are on the to-do list (buy, write, post), any phone calls you have been putting off are either done or scheduled and any letters are similarly handled).

Get in the habit of a once a week desk dumpster day and within a few weeks you will have made space in your life and your calendar for the important items - those major goals and ongoing projects we all have - and don't think we have time for. Don't believe me - try it for a couple of weeks and see if I'm not right.

Do you have any tips that will help your fellow readers cope with their desk dumpster day?