Desk tidy and priority reset
Clear the immediate workspace and set the top three priorities for the next work period. Use at the end of the workday or before starting focused work.
What's inside
Clear the immediate workspace and set the top three priorities for the next work period. Use at the end of the workday or before starting focused work.
The desk has scattered papers, a half-full mug, two open notebooks, a pile of receipts, and a handwritten task list with more than ten unprioritized items.
I spend too long deciding what to do with each paper and get pulled into small tasks, and I postpone choosing the top three priorities so the task list stays long and vague.
Desk surface contains only the items needed for current work, trash and dishes are removed, papers are sorted into 'Action', 'File', or 'Recycle' folders, and the top three priorities are written and starred on the notepad with estimated time for each.
- • notepad — 1
- • pen — 1
- • three folders — 3
- 01Remove trash and dishesPick up any empty cups, wrappers, and food containers on the desk and put them in the trash or take the mug to the kitchen sink.⏱ 5 min
- 02Sort loose papersWork through all loose papers and place each item into the 'Action', 'File', or 'Recycle' folder without opening them, spending no more than 10 seconds per item.⏱ 10 min
- 03Return and consolidate itemsReturn notebooks to their shelf, coil and put chargers in the drawer, and leave only the current notebook and pen on the desk.⏱ 5 min
- 04Choose and record top three prioritiesReview the 'Action' folder and your calendar, pick the top three tasks for the next work period, write each on the notepad with an estimated time, and star them.⏱ 10 min