Comments on: Tools of the Trade http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:45:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: WilliamB http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-43070 WilliamB Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:07:32 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-43070 A lot of stuff that I *do* use daily goes into my desk drawer, at home and at work. On my work desk are my computers and associated paraphenalia (sp?), phone, little post-it pad, scratch pad, tissues, hand sanitizer, the books that don't fit in the bookcase, non-fridge snacks for the day, and piles of paper. Everything else is in a drawer, even things I use daily like pens (put away at the end of the day or they grow legs) or pinned on the bulletin board. My stash of snacks is in the deep file drawer. At home my desk has even less: computer, one short vertical file, pen cup for the half dozen implements I use frequently, scratch pad for lists, coaster, speaker phone. All the other little stuff is in the top drawer. The layout has remained the same for [cough] years, I will no longer buy a desk that doesn't fit the plastic drawer organizer I use, and I can find everything in there blindfolded. I have a ton of stuff in the two office drawers, the deep office drawer, the printer table, the short bookcase, and the surfaces on which I put the piles of papers, but the desktop itself is always empty except for the pile of paper I'm working on right then. A lot of stuff that I *do* use daily goes into my desk drawer, at home and at work.

On my work desk are my computers and associated paraphenalia (sp?), phone, little post-it pad, scratch pad, tissues, hand sanitizer, the books that don’t fit in the bookcase, non-fridge snacks for the day, and piles of paper. Everything else is in a drawer, even things I use daily like pens (put away at the end of the day or they grow legs) or pinned on the bulletin board. My stash of snacks is in the deep file drawer.

At home my desk has even less: computer, one short vertical file, pen cup for the half dozen implements I use frequently, scratch pad for lists, coaster, speaker phone. All the other little stuff is in the top drawer. The layout has remained the same for [cough] years, I will no longer buy a desk that doesn’t fit the plastic drawer organizer I use, and I can find everything in there blindfolded.

I have a ton of stuff in the two office drawers, the deep office drawer, the printer table, the short bookcase, and the surfaces on which I put the piles of papers, but the desktop itself is always empty except for the pile of paper I’m working on right then.

]]> By: oklagirl http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-30737 oklagirl Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:02:27 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-30737 This post made me think about my desk in a different way. It has no drawers, just a keyboard pullout and monitor stand. I always assumed I NEEDED everything on the desk, otherwise it wouldn't be on the desk...So I spent about fifteen minutes (including dusting) taking things off the desk. I put things that belonged elsewhere away, and stuff I don't use regularly (including the stapler and box of extra staples) in a wooden wine box with a hinged lid. I tucked it under the desk so I can grab what I need quickly. I can actually see and use my desk calendar now! Thanks for the inspiration. This post made me think about my desk in a different way. It has no drawers, just a keyboard pullout and monitor stand. I always assumed I NEEDED everything on the desk, otherwise it wouldn’t be on the desk…So I spent about fifteen minutes (including dusting) taking things off the desk. I put things that belonged elsewhere away, and stuff I don’t use regularly (including the stapler and box of extra staples) in a wooden wine box with a hinged lid. I tucked it under the desk so I can grab what I need quickly. I can actually see and use my desk calendar now! Thanks for the inspiration.

]]> By: julia1060 http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-20213 julia1060 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:14:46 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-20213 my office real estate is small so the desk stays free of all but the laptop and lamp. Small endtable by the desk serves as a return and keeps supplies I use with regularity- tape, stapler, phone on top shelf, pens/postits/supplies on bottom shelf. Handy, orderly, works for me. my office real estate is small so the desk stays free of all but the laptop and lamp. Small endtable by the desk serves as a return and keeps supplies I use with regularity- tape, stapler, phone on top shelf, pens/postits/supplies on bottom shelf. Handy, orderly, works for me.

]]> By: Michael@ Awareness * Connection http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19915 Michael@ Awareness * Connection Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:11:58 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19915 In my counseling office and in my home office, I keep the stapler in the top drawer so it's not taking up space and creating visual clutter. But I use it frequently enough for progress notes that I need it handy. In my counseling office and in my home office, I keep the stapler in the top drawer so it’s not taking up space and creating visual clutter. But I use it frequently enough for progress notes that I need it handy.

]]> By: Mary D. http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19913 Mary D. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:44:17 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19913 Until about 6 months ago, I kept my stapler on my desk and used it about 50 times a day. Then my workflow changed drastically and it went down to about once a week. Still, it took until about a month ago for me to move the stapler to a drawer. Last week, I moved the stapler to a different workspace where we need a stapler more often, to replace the old barely-working one which was there. I haven't missed it, and I figure crossing the room to staple something once a week is worth the drawer space I've gained. Until about 6 months ago, I kept my stapler on my desk and used it about 50 times a day. Then my workflow changed drastically and it went down to about once a week. Still, it took until about a month ago for me to move the stapler to a drawer. Last week, I moved the stapler to a different workspace where we need a stapler more often, to replace the old barely-working one which was there. I haven’t missed it, and I figure crossing the room to staple something once a week is worth the drawer space I’ve gained.

]]> By: Jasi http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19886 Jasi Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:41:47 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19886 -Shredder -1 Pen -1 Black Med. Sharpie That's all I need. = ) -Shredder
-1 Pen
-1 Black Med. Sharpie

That’s all I need. = )

]]> By: Deb http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19881 Deb Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:18:39 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19881 My desktop holds the stapler and pencil cup which I use constantly. I also have the stacks of paper the other Deb above has notes. I am a very visual person. I also tend to keep books and binders here to remind me of things I intend to do. I have an activity book whose title constantly reminds me of some of my goals while planning lessons. I also have a geneology book that reminds me of my goal to get the family data in shape in time for a gift I am working on. The check record binder is always in my view so I don't forget to attend to financial records. I have my scanner here to remind me of the project of digitizing my old photos. You can see I am still in the Dark Ages when it comes to online bill-paying and computer calendars. Having these things cluttering up my desk is another way of reminding me to get started on THAT project! My desktop holds the stapler and pencil cup which I use constantly. I also have the stacks of paper the other Deb above has notes. I am a very visual person.

I also tend to keep books and binders here to remind me of things I intend to do. I have an activity book whose title constantly reminds me of some of my goals while planning lessons. I also have a geneology book that reminds me of my goal to get the family data in shape in time for a gift I am working on.

The check record binder is always in my view so I don’t forget to attend to financial records. I have my scanner here to remind me of the project of digitizing my old photos.

You can see I am still in the Dark Ages when it comes to online bill-paying and computer calendars. Having these things cluttering up my desk is another way of reminding me to get started on THAT project!

]]> By: Christine in DC http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19873 Christine in DC Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:05:37 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19873 At the office, I have my phone, stapler (yes, I use fairly frequently--paper clips drive me crazy b/c they're always catching other stuff), a little dish where I throw random stuff, my card holder, a few pictures, 2 cups of pens, monitor, and lamp...and paper. Lots of paper. At the office, I have my phone, stapler (yes, I use fairly frequently–paper clips drive me crazy b/c they’re always catching other stuff), a little dish where I throw random stuff, my card holder, a few pictures, 2 cups of pens, monitor, and lamp…and paper. Lots of paper.

]]> By: Clare K. R. Miller http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19866 Clare K. R. Miller Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:04:45 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19866 I actually did that recently--took a whole bunch of stuff I don't use often (including my stapler) off my desk and made drawer space for it. It really is nice to have the extra workspace. I actually did that recently–took a whole bunch of stuff I don’t use often (including my stapler) off my desk and made drawer space for it. It really is nice to have the extra workspace.

]]> By: Leslie from Australia http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19865 Leslie from Australia Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:51:58 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19865 Two staplers live in my top desk drawer, and to be honest, I never use them. But my students do, sometimes if I hand out printed worksheets - and not often as I put their work up on line, they will go and get a stapler out of the drawer. Two staplers live in my top desk drawer, and to be honest, I never use them. But my students do, sometimes if I hand out printed worksheets – and not often as I put their work up on line, they will go and get a stapler out of the drawer.

]]> By: infmom http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19863 infmom Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:51:09 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19863 The stapler and tape dispenser are on my husband's desk (we share a home office). The paper clips are on my desk. My desk has room for a <a href="http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/37008.aspx?feature=Product_3&kw=mug" rel="nofollow">Mug Master</a> full of useful tools, a radiometer, my coffee mug and a pink wooly mammoth. Anyone can have a pink elephant. The stapler and tape dispenser are on my husband’s desk (we share a home office). The paper clips are on my desk. My desk has room for a Mug Master full of useful tools, a radiometer, my coffee mug and a pink wooly mammoth. Anyone can have a pink elephant.

]]> By: Red http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19861 Red Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:41:26 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19861 For me, I need to have a clear workspace where I can process large projects easily. So on the desktop is a series of stamps I use, stapler, cup of pens/markers, calculator, phone, handcream, posit dispenser, computer, and coffee mug. That's it. Everything else is in containers and folders in my drawers so I can concentrate on one thing at a time. As for keeping it this way, I clear it off at the end of every day and then once per month do a major cleaning/organizing of my office so I'm not hanging onto things I don't need. Also keeps the dust bunnies down. Now my home office is another story... someday I will get it the way I want it... someady... For me, I need to have a clear workspace where I can process large projects easily. So on the desktop is a series of stamps I use, stapler, cup of pens/markers, calculator, phone, handcream, posit dispenser, computer, and coffee mug. That’s it. Everything else is in containers and folders in my drawers so I can concentrate on one thing at a time. As for keeping it this way, I clear it off at the end of every day and then once per month do a major cleaning/organizing of my office so I’m not hanging onto things I don’t need. Also keeps the dust bunnies down. Now my home office is another story… someday I will get it the way I want it… someady…

]]> By: Kate http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19858 Kate Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:53:50 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19858 Stapler and rulers on the desk; paper clips, pens, tape, etc. in the drawer. Like Rue, I use my stapler and rulers throughout the day. Tape; not so much! Stapler and rulers on the desk; paper clips, pens, tape, etc. in the drawer. Like Rue, I use my stapler and rulers throughout the day. Tape; not so much!

]]> By: Celeste http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19857 Celeste Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:46:49 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19857 I keep everything in a desk drawer. I considered one of those spinning caddies that holds it all in one spot, but didn't like the aesthetics of it or thinking about dust in the crevices. I like a minimalist desk. I keep everything in a desk drawer. I considered one of those spinning caddies that holds it all in one spot, but didn’t like the aesthetics of it or thinking about dust in the crevices.

I like a minimalist desk.

]]> By: Kate http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/19/tools-of-the-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-19856 Kate Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:42:10 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2401#comment-19856 As long as it's neatly organized and somewhat out of the way, I think it's fine for these things to be on the desk. For me, it's more of a time-waster to have to get the stapler, paper clips, etc. out of the drawer when I need than to 'work around' it on my desk. As long as it’s neatly organized and somewhat out of the way, I think it’s fine for these things to be on the desk. For me, it’s more of a time-waster to have to get the stapler, paper clips, etc. out of the drawer when I need than to ‘work around’ it on my desk.

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