Desk clutter , I need help!
by
Bernice H
+12
I have an ongoing problem on my desk.
Yes, Kevin, the great big desk I made out of the old hollow core door! The bigger it is the bigger the clutter!
Anyway, I am wondering what everyone does with all those "notes" we write to ourselves. I have sticky notes all over my desk, so many I can't seem to see them all at one tjime. I have tried a notebook, writing stuff down then scratching a note off when I am done with it.
I have sticky notes (program) on my computer desktop and it is so full, I dont even look at it anymore! What do YOU do , People? How do you keep track of everything and keep it handy?
A computer program wouldn't work for me, because I would just not look at it in time. For instance; ONE sticky note right now says, "Kodak closing, Miriam l table, shiratak noodles". That's just for starters.
Help me please?
Yes, Kevin, the great big desk I made out of the old hollow core door! The bigger it is the bigger the clutter!
Anyway, I am wondering what everyone does with all those "notes" we write to ourselves. I have sticky notes all over my desk, so many I can't seem to see them all at one tjime. I have tried a notebook, writing stuff down then scratching a note off when I am done with it.
I have sticky notes (program) on my computer desktop and it is so full, I dont even look at it anymore! What do YOU do , People? How do you keep track of everything and keep it handy?
A computer program wouldn't work for me, because I would just not look at it in time. For instance; ONE sticky note right now says, "Kodak closing, Miriam l table, shiratak noodles". That's just for starters.
Help me please?
14 answers
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Wood a bulletin board hanging in front of your desk help. You could put your post it notes on it. I would make one with 31 squares and place the post it's on the dates you have deadlines. I too like the notes in front of my face and trash them as I complete that task.
Pam
on Jun 06, 2012
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hmmm if I was facing the wall that might work but I wouldnt be able to reach the wall from this side of the desk. I pretty much face the window.Keep thinking please!
Bernice H
on Jun 06, 2012
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There is a saying, the more clutter on a desk the smarter the person is. At least that is the excuse I use. As far as computer issue with sticky notes. Control -alt- delete works wonders. Keeping everything on the computer is the best way to stop clutter. Depending upon the email program you use, Microsoft Outlook works well, It houses contacts, calendar, and email. I use this a lot to keep those little notes off the desk. I also use one of those metal holders like you see in the Pizza shops where they push the paper up into it and it stays,. then you simply pull up on it and the paper comes right out. This is good for short term stuff. Why not paint magnet paint on the wall and create a large place in which to use magnets to hold stuff. Once you paint the metal paint on the wall, you paint over it again with the room color. Get some fancy magnets and you now have a large wall in which to stick stuff without harming the finish on the wall.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jun 07, 2012
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Outlook is what I use. YOu can't forget it it pops up in your fact in the morning.
Pam
on Jun 07, 2012
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Ages ago when I worked in Corporate we had some training sessions on efficiency, time management etc. One of the presentations was from the guys who started the whole "day timer" thing . The lesson was on how you carry "forward" the "to do" items. This was all written down in your daily / weekly planner....never on post it notes as these could be misplaced lost etc.....the key was always use the "planner"....this way random notes written on the backs of envelopes would not get lost with the post it type notes too. I used this system for few years with the daily planner book...old school on paper is quick and easy...and not dependent on computer etc...plus it is portable and can travel with me. The refills for this system became a bit of a cost burden so I switched to a scaled down version. Here I use a week at a glance pocket calendar....I can track my hours for various jobs, clients etc. I get one of these each fall for the next year....on ebay they run about 5 bucks...compared to the $50 for the day timer refill. My desk is mostly used for running invoice on the pc....dealing with household bills...mail etc
KMS Woodworks
on Jun 07, 2012
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Thanks folks, useful ideas but some don't work for me. I am not close enough to the wall, and I already have a "sticky note" program going, once I leave my desktop, and go to a web site, out of sight out of mind..I have tried a dry erase board just laying on my desk, well, I kept rubbing stuff off inadvertently with my wrist, so.... Kevin, maybe I need to start a notebook thing again,and as you said everyday use a new page and cross off what I have done or want to remember and bring the undone to the new page. Sounds like self discipline to me! (sigh) But I can try again! When I come in the slider to the kitchen, I have a counter and yes, there are other notes, only there, they are all on one piece of paper. I cross off and start a new paper of notes as above, so I guess I will have to train myself to do it here at the computer. I do NOT have notes on my refrigerator, I saw how it looked in a picture one time, and thought , wow! That makes my whole kitchen look cluttered, , so I just have a calendar with appointments on the spaces. I guess it all boils down to self discipline here at the desk in the living room. hmm Thanks everyone, but if you come up with more suggestions, I am open to them!
Bernice H
on Jun 07, 2012
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a small white board on the side of the fridge could work too.
KMS Woodworks
on Jun 07, 2012
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Here is a picture again of my desk, window etc, whichis why something on the wall doesnt work, too far away. kevin, 2 weeks ago I found a VERY nice desk at a neighbors. It is all wood, no pressed wood etc. However after buying it, I realized I am a spread out girl, and it is going to be too small. It needs refinishing too. But it is lovely with those wonderful drawers,,,dove tail, cove tail...whatever! I thought of you ...don't know why. I paid 25 for it. so now it is sitting on my limited deck waiting for ..something...and I dont even have a place to work on it if I wanted too! I guess next week it will go on Craig's list! Hubs already has one of those small old all wood desks! (They dont fit all of my notes! hahahaha)
Bernice H
on Jun 07, 2012
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Good gravy Kevin and all...NOW I DO have a notebook open and have transferred my "notes" to the open pages, and sheesh! I am putting post its on IT !!! (Head held in shame here)
Bernice H
on Jun 07, 2012
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Got one last idea, Bigger desk! lol What about two monitors. One to use for the clutter side of your space the other to work off of. I use three monitors in my office. One keeps my outlook open all the time, the other for research when I work, and the third to do my work on. Having a work or office space near a window I find tends to make clutter appear. This is because we spend to much time looking out the window to figure out ideas on what to do out there, then spend looking down and clearing the clutter.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jun 07, 2012
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ha ha..Good one Woodbridge, then I could keep one open to HOmetalk all the time, one open to all my decorating sites, and one for notes, right? Even as I type this, I can look out the window and see the moon right outside my window and desk. (sigh) Love it!
Bernice H
on Jun 08, 2012
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I use different size of baskets for my stuff. Even they can get out of order. See if you can find some rustic boxes and stack them on the back of your door desk (I also made one from a hallow for door I bought from Lowes because I love the size) then put your baskets with you items in the boxes. Not only are they cut because of the fidderent sizes and styles, but you can add a small plant and pi tures in different places, just to make it look more interesting. You can buy a small propane torch and burn the door, and all the boxes, just enough to turn them kind of blacl. Thwn take some steel wool and rub off all the black and now all of that beautiful, natural wood grain starts to appear. If you have your desk against the wall, you can go pretty high with them. Just secure them if they get a little wabbly. Throw in a few small mirrors too. Oh, I forgot, after you use the seel wool and wipe them down, grab a can of spray Verithan in a "matt" finish. This will look like real art and no more disorganized desk..CUTE, CUTE, CUTE! Post a picture after you finish it. You van also pi k up a roll of cork and line the back of one of your larher boxes so you can stick some of you stuff that you don't want to misplace..Have fun too.
Judy Anstess
on Jul 11, 2013
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Bernice~ Sorry I am no help as I'm as disorganized (or worse...I feel your pain!) than you but I had to thank you for my laugh of the day. I actually giggled out loud at your post. You are too funny!
Ruby77
on Apr 24, 2016
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Oh my gosh I didn't even notice the date! haha...Your note about Kodak just struck me so funny I laughed out loud. It's even funnier that it was four years ago. yikes I'm happy to hear you found a solution...I'm still back where you were fours years ago in clutter land with notes I find and have no idea what they even mean! UGH!
Ruby77
on Apr 24, 2016
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