It’s very easy when you get busy doing all the ‘fun’ parts of youth work to neglect the importance of have a clear work area. Having a clear work space creates the ‘head space’ you need to create new youth work programs, design logos, review evaluations and create reports. Simply running away to Starbucks to do these isn’t a long term solution (it’ll get very expensive for one thing!).
Organizing and clearing your work area doesn’t need to be a hassle if you set up a system that works best for you. You may need to ask for a few items to make your desk functional, including but not limited to stationery trays, file folders, trays or shelves and cork/bulletin boards.
5 ways to have an organized desk:
- Group stationery and desktop items together – Put all your pens, pencils, scissors, paper clips, bulldog clips, etc. in one pile. Note pads, stickies, message pads and other paper in another. And so on.
- Sort your papers – You may have sign-in sheets, permission slips, medical forms and session plans to sort through. Give each its own pile. Figure out what works best for you for storing these confidential documents: binders, files, a filing cabinet, scan/store electronically, etc. Check out our post about efficient youth work administration for related ideas.
- Place regularly used items where you need them – For example, if you’re right-handed, put the phone to your right if possible. Keep your message pad and pen right by the phone.
- Lock up confidential information – Decide what forms and paper can be on your desk in-trays or folders and what needs to be securely stored based on your organization’s privacy policies.
- Set up a reminder in your calendar for tidying – Each evening before you leave work, tidy your working area. Write up your to-do list for the next day and leave it front and center on your desk. Make sure all confidential documents are locked away.
By starting each day fresh, with a clean and tidy desk, you’ll work more efficiently (because you’ll be able to find everything) and you’ll feel less harried and stressed out (because you’ll be able to prioritize your work each day).
Do you work in an office with ‘hot-desking’? It’s likely you still have a place for your files and work – use your drawer or shelf space well by keeping it organized with binders or files.
Questions: What tools do you use to keep your work space clutter free? How does it help your youth work? Let us know in the comments below.
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