Got a Messy Desk?

Nicki’s Desk BeforeToday’s PixieTip is the end result of real life advice we gave to FutureDerm’s CEO, Nicki Zevola about a month ago. We featured Nicki’s Retinol product last week, which as an aside I’m still using religiously with continued improvement, and are featuring the advice we gave Nicki as an Organic Structure (NFJ) with a messy desk. If you’re an Organic (NF) or a Smart (NT) — or a Classic (SJ) like me or a Fun (SP) forced to live with an Organic or a Smart — then this is a must read. 

What I first noticed about Nicki’s desk was that it had tons of piles of things without any noticeable permanent homes. Organics of all types — and Smarts — tend to pile rather than file. Of course, ALL personality types pile things. But there are degrees of piling and Organics and Smarts are at the boiling water in terms of piling and Classics and Funs are more like lukewarm piling.

The second thing I noticed was Post-Its everywhere. Organics and Smarts have strong visual memories and tend to use Post-Its as reminders. Again, we ALL use Post-Its — 3Ms invention is successful for a reason — but Classics and Funs don’t use them as reminders all over their desk or walls. Classics have vast To-Do list’s in a notebook that they refer to frequently to remind them of what they need to get done. Funs are more haphazard with their To Do lists than Classics but don’t usually clutter up a space on a wall with Post-Its.

Below is our condensed advice with suggested links to product. We told Nicki to use them as a jumping off point for her own search because Organics more than any other type really need to make things their own:

First, you need a bulletin board on the wall where you’ve got all of your paper and pos-its. Don’t forget thumbtacks. Clear are best as they don’t add color and distraction. You can get them at Staples. Etsy is a great place to find attractive bulletin boards. Get a large one (or two!!) Place it where you currently put your paper on the wall.

Second, You need bins for the papers on your desk. Do an archaeological dig on what’s there now to better understand what categories are on your desk and then you’ll get a sense of what piles are there…. Not all of these bins will go on your desk just the most important/active ones. All in all you could be looking at 3-10 bins and read below to see our idea of where to have the rest sit. Bins should be open and never stacked or you will forget about what’s inside. 

Third, …if possible get rid of that table and chair or move somewhere else. Instead put a console table (they’re long and narrow) behind the desk. You need more horizontal space for your bins. Place some of the bins on top of the console table. Our suggested table is nice because it has a bottom shelf, which is where I would place all one those various bags currently along that back wall. You could also put large bins under there as well (again any color/style will do as long as they’re open). 

Fourth, you need a magazine organizer. The first is standard but it’ll close off the visuals of the covers of each that you might like to see. This is why I included a second idea…. If you like to hold on to magazines for a long period perhaps use the second option on your desk and put frequently used folders in there and then buy two old fashioned magazine organizers for the back console table. Finally, here’s a third option that is a compromise between the first two.

Fifth, LABEL your bins and tables. I’d even label that bottom shelf of a console table. Labeling helps communicate with people in your absence and gives things formal homes. The first types of tags, buy a bunch to have on hand and then use twine to tie them to things. Use your best handwriting, they’re more attractive than a label maker. The second label option can be used in combination because it’s like tape so you can cut it to whatever size you want, write on it, and put it in front of a bin so people know where the bin goes and what’s in it.

Sixth, Get a few things to corral the other clutter on your desk. Attractive pencil cups. A bin for what looks like vitamins on your desk.

Nicki’s Desk AfterClick here to read Nicki’s two cents on our advice!