Free your computer from electronic clutter
Sherry Borsheim

There are two main kinds of clutter in every office - paper clutter and computer clutter. Paper clutter is very obvious, making it a high priority for most individuals. But did you know that computer clutter can just as easily usurp your efficiency? In fact, it can take away even more valuable time than paper clutter?

Computer clutter is a wide reaching form of clutter. Thousands of e-mails can muddle up your inbox, while unused files can force you to search through archaic folders for the latest project you're working on. Plus, unused computer programs can encumber the actual operation of your computer, making it slow and inefficient.

Fortunately, there's a lot you can do to take charge of your computer and abolish all electronic clutter this month. To start with, block off at least an hour in your day planner before taking the following steps.

1. Review your computer files/documents and make a backup of all the documents that you know you will not refer to again (such as draft documents that have now been completed, files with out-of-date information or duplicate information in different file locations). Once a backup has been created, delete all of these electronic files.

2. Remove any programs that you don't use. To do so, select "Start/Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs". Simply highly the unused programs and click "remove".

3. Run Scandisk and Disk Defragmenter weekly and create a backup.

4. Make space in Internet Explorer by removing temporary files. To do so, go to "Tools/Internet Options/Temporary Internet Files" and click "Delete Files". Say "yes" to "Delete all offline content".

5. Create two new folders in your e-mail system titled "@Action" and "@Pending". Each day, file new e-mails according to these two actions and then toss all irrelevant emails.

6. Use only one calendar, either electronic or paper. A good idea is to use an electronic calendar that can be easily synced with a handheld electronic organizer, such as a Palm Pilot, on a daily basis.


About the Author

Sherry Borsheim, owner of Simply Productive, has been helping people to work smarter, not harder for years. She specializes in resolving paper, time and information management issues. To learn more about eliminating the paper pile-up and in vastly improving your productively, contact Simply Productive at 604-233-7076.