As 2008 Ends, It’s Time For Some Trash Talk
It’s time, once again, for my annual December tradition. No, I don’t mean eating fruitcake or sending out chocolates (which I do every year). I’m talking about cleaning off my desk and files.
So wear comfy clothes — jeans preferably. Go to the office. Play some lively music and start cleaning.
First, let’s get our equipment ready:
1. Two trashcans: One for trash; one for recyclable papers. As you pick up each piece of paper, if you’re not going to keep it, toss it now.
2. A shredder: Unfortunately, it’s not safe to throw some stuff in the trash. I get dozens of pre-approved credit card offers and documents containing confidential information. Shred, shred, shred.
3. Small Post-It notes and a pen: For those documents you’re going to keep, put a Post-It with the name of the file. Go through a whole stack this way and then make the files all at once.
4. Scissors and stapler or scanner: Sometimes you only want one article from a newspaper or magazine. Clip what you want and toss the rest. Scanning eliminates paper altogether.
5. An address database: Have a pile of business cards on your desk like I do? Decide which names are important and enter them into an address database. If you have an electronic business card reader, it makes the process faster. Toss the rest.
6. Computer backup system: Clean up your hard drive, too. Transfer old files to a portable hard drive. Then defragment your hard drive overnight.
7. File folders and file drawers: You need a place to put your files, don’t you? Ideally, have at least one file drawer in easy reach from your desk.
8. Label maker: Files look better with printed labels. Label makers cost less than $30, and we all love the one in our office.
Photo by teaksato.
cassy on December 29th, 2008 6:03 pm
i agree as the year ends ,we have to put all the trash and waste of 2008 behind, and get some new as the 2009 is coming,for a new you and for a new great looking,like me i take all my waste on the trash and get some new that can make my work easy and for my own good too.
Jaclyn on December 30th, 2008 3:15 pm
I too agree…as the new year comes upon us…everyone is cleaning out old stuff wether it be at home or even in the office. the office should be rid of old items and papers that are no longer needed…after all, if you keep it all…soon your office will be overloaded with un wanted papers and items and you wont be able to find the important documents that you actually need.
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