“Do you have trouble with desk clutter and keeping your desk clean!?” I asked that question at a recent conference in South Carolina and 80% of the people raised their hands.
Apparently, we cluttered-desk folks are not alone!
When I first made the decision to systemize our company in 1994, one of my big issues was, how do I just keep my desk clean? After all, I realized that I could not ask my employees to keep THEIR work stations clean and neat, without me setting the bar.
So, I started taking notice of other people’s desks. I asked those who had CLEAN desks, how they kept it that way, trying to get some pointers. Also, I read a book called “File, Don’t Pile.”
I made this a big deal, because it was important for me to get this right. For those who naturally keep a clean desk, you’re probably asking, “What’s all the fuss about desk clutter?”
My personal desk wasn’t just piles of paper; let’s just say it overfloweth on all sides and right on across the floor. It was a poor man’s Niagara of precarious notes, purchase orders and bills, even checks to be signed (if I could find them). Not to mention, parts of things to be fixed or ordered and tools and other items I hadn’t taken time to put back wherever.
Additionally, somewhere in the pile was a list of ideas on how to IMPROVE my operation! Hmm!
Dealing With Desk Clutter
My first attempt to improve my work area had very disappointing results. I came in on a Saturday and spent the whole day cleaning my office and desk. Of course, “clean” is subject to one’s personal concept of that state, and my work area looked great to me for…well, about two days. By Tuesday, it looked like the target of a Scud missile and I was back to square one.
Does this sound at all familiar? Anybody out there?
Things did not get better in my business until I developed and implemented what I call the “100% System of Cleanliness.” I went into great detail about that in my book, System Busters: How to Stop Them In Your Business.
Some of you know about the “5S of Lean” (sorting, straightening, systematic cleaning, standardizing and sustaining). When I learned you had to have a PLACE FOR EVERYTHING, that’s when I started having success. Moreover, I learned that place had to be CONVENIENT and LABELED, or in a PERMANENT (LABELED) CONTAINER. By permanent container, I mean something that looks good and can be cleaned—not just a cardboard box with Sharpie scribbling on the side to identify its contents.
Why do I call it the “100% System of Cleanliness” and NOT the 90% System? The simple fact is…
If EVERYTHING (100% of all items) does not have a place, then those items without a permanent and convenient location—even if only 10% of the total—start to break down the system, and it returns to chaos. That’s why we end up with desk clutter after just straightening up or even cleaning it.
What’s WRONG with a little Chaos?
Below are a few QUOTES from some “well-knowns” on the subject of CHAOS:
“Sometimes, when there’s literal chaos, it’s like being in a war zone, and that’s kind of exciting. You’re just running through the crowd of people chasing after you, and no one knows what’s going on.”—Robert Pattinson, English actor, “Twilight” movie
“I’m interested in anything about revolt, disorder, chaos, especially activity that appears to have no meaning. It seems to me to be the road toward freedom.”—Jim Morrison, singer/musician, The Doors
“Civilization begins with order, grows with liberty and dies with chaos.”—Will Durant, Historian/Author of “The History of Civilization.”
I rest my case! Some people actually love to live in chaos; apparently it feels “artistic,” “creative,” even “the road to freedom.”
However, the truth is, businesses that operate in chaos lose money, time, better workers, customers and, eventually, momentum.
I’ve learned that if you can get a company, a department, even just your DESK onto the “100% System of Cleanliness,” it will stay in the high 90s, with minor tweaking.
So, what’s THAT stuff all over your desk? Where does “THAT” go?
It’s a start!
Did I mention? Great systems work!
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