Say Good Bye to Digital Clutter

Community Manager — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:11:00 GMT

Clutter, even digital clutter, causes stress and decreases productivity. Take a good long look at your computer desktop. Is it clogged with icons? Are e-files haphazardly stored? Is your computer sluggish? If so, it's time to declutter your desktop.

Purge Please

Tossing what isn't needed is Organization 101. So get ready to delete unused short cuts, icons and files. Ditto for those RSS feeds and e-mail newsletters that once seemed like must-reads and now serve as in-box dead-weight. Not sure if something should be consigned to the trash? Create a folder to store those items for a later review.

Streamline

Once you've taken time to unsubscribe from unneeded e-mails and delete unnecessary files, it's time to streamline what remains. Be creative in tailoring a solution for your needs. You can opt to go icon free altogether (yes! it's possible!) or move to a system that uses folders delineating status to store and organize desktop functions.

Microsoft offers useful tutorials on organizing your computer files, backing up important files and cleaning out your email. Click here for more.
Free icon organizing programs such as Stardock's Fences can arrange your desktop icons into containers so you can move your mess into useful groups of shortcuts-or hide them altogether.
Consider creating master folders that house your documents using whatever organizing principle best suits your needs. Read How to Organize Your Cluttered Desktop and Regain Your Sanity to learn about an organizing method based on principles espoused in the book Getting Things Done by productivity-guru David Allen. Even if these principles don't jell with you, the article provides a useful framework for thinking about how to use organizing principles to tame your files

Aim for Zen

Virtual clutter can be easier to deal with than physical piles (no need to worry about recycling or shredding) but taming clutter, virtual or otherwise, requires discipline.

Once you've established a system to conquer clutter, set aside time to maintain it. Looking for inspiration to get started? Read the Zen of Tech: 12 Powerful Ways to Keep Your Online Life Simple and Peaceful for a reminder that hi-tech can be managed simply.

Declutter your desktop and unleash your inner Zen.

How do you keep your desktop a clutter-free zone? Share your thoughts here!

Beyond Folders : organization tips, digital files

Say Good Bye to Digital Clutter