For some people, keeping things organised is second nature. They never seem to lose a pen, they always know where that important letter is, and their desks look like something straight out of a magazine. For the rest of us, it doesn’t come quite so easily. Papers pile up, pens mysteriously vanish, and before long the desk is buried under notebooks, coffee mugs and yesterday’s half-finished to-do list. If that sounds familiar, don’t worry – you’re not alone. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can get your workspace under control and make it work for you. A tidy desk won’t just look nice, it can make you feel calmer and more productive too.

1) Clear Everything Off

The first step is the most drastic but also the most effective: clear everything off your desk. And yes, that really does mean everything. Take the phone away, unplug the monitor, remove the stacks of paper, files, pens and random bits of post-it notes. What you want is a completely blank surface. This gives you a proper sense of the space you’ve got to work with. It can be a little bit shocking the first time you do it, especially if you haven’t seen the actual surface of your desk in a while, but it’s the quickest way to start fresh.

2) Clean All Surfaces

With the desk empty, take the opportunity to give it a proper clean. Wipe down every inch of the surface with a cloth and some disinfectant spray. Don’t forget your keyboard – it’s one of the dirtiest items in any office and often full of crumbs, dust and who-knows-what. A simple trick is to run a strip of sticky tape through the gaps between the keys to lift out debris. Give your mouse and monitor a wipe too while you’re at it. Starting with a clean slate feels surprisingly refreshing.

3) Decide What to Get Rid Of

Before you put anything back, take a good look at what you actually need. Do you really use four different notebooks every day? Does that bulky paper diary earn its space on your desk, or could you switch to an online calendar instead? Many people find that digital scheduling tools are not only more convenient but also take up far less space.

The same goes for stationery. You don’t need a pot crammed full of twenty blue pens. One or two high-quality ones are more than enough. Choose the essentials – pens, a notepad, maybe a stapler – and give each item its own place. Once you’re done using it, put it straight back where it belongs. The less clutter there is on your desk, the clearer your mind will feel.

4) Limit Personal Items

It’s always nice to have a bit of personality in your workspace, whether that’s a framed photo, a souvenir from a holiday or a small plant. But personal items can quickly add up and take over. Try to limit yourself to no more than three. That way your desk still feels like yours without becoming overcrowded.

5) Keep Up the Habit

The hardest part isn’t organising your desk once, it’s keeping it that way. It’s easy to tidy everything up in half an hour, but if you’re not careful the clutter sneaks back almost immediately. The trick is to make organisation a daily habit. At the end of each day, take a couple of minutes to put everything back in its place and clear the surface. Do it often enough and it becomes second nature.

6) Find a System That Works for You

Finally, remember that everyone works differently. The filing method that suits your colleague may not suit you at all, and that’s fine. If you prefer horizontal trays over vertical files, stick with what feels easiest to maintain. The important thing is the result: a desk that helps you focus rather than one that distracts you.

In the end, the saying is true: a clear desk really does equal a clear mind. By clearing, cleaning, decluttering and keeping things simple, you’ll not only transform your workspace but also improve how you feel while working. Productivity starts with your environment, so make yours work for you.