DESK STRESS

Organization

If a work space is cluttered and disorganized, it is highly probable that information, files, and other important papers are getting lost in the chaos. 

This means that you may not be at your most efficient when your customers need your assistance. 

Also, many customers assume that a messy desk or office means that the entire organization is haphazard, if not completely dysfunctional. 

When a disorderly desk impairs your ability to function or influences customer perception negatively, it’s time to commit to a better business practice.

Directions: Think about the current condition of your work desk and answer each question truthfully by circling YES or NO. Next, take some time to analyze your weaknesses and make plans for improvement.

	YES	NO
1. Do you have an overflowing in-basket on your desk?
2. Do you keep activities recorded on more than one calendar?
3. Are there more than three file projects on your desk?
4. Are you frequently unable to locate things on your desk?
5. Do you keep piles of unfinished reading on your desk?
6. Do you write phone messages and reminders on scraps of paper?
7. Do you leave work each day with piles of paper on your desk?
8. Are others afraid to leave important documents on your desk?
9. Are others unable to find items on your desk if you aren’t there?
10. Are you known for having a messy desk?

Total of YES responses: ____________

Scoring:

7–10 Your messy desk is hindering productivity and could affect how others regard your work.

4–6 You might be a candidate for desk stress.

1–3 You are winning the war over desk stress.

Help Is at Hand. Use the four D’s to overcome desk stress:

• DO it.

• Handle each piece of paper only once. If action is needed at a later date, file it.

• DATE it.

• Record the date the item was received and when you will act on it.

• DELEGATE it.

• Prioritize the work and hand it off to the most appropriate person.

• DISCARD it.

• If it’s not important, throw it away.

Your Goals

1. ______________________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________________