Audrey Thomas

When we have clutter sitting around we grow accustomed to it. In time we don't even see the mess, unless it begins encroaching on space needed to do our jobs or to be comfortable sitting at our desks. Got a few sticky notes around your computer's perimeter? How about a few boxes of "stuff" stuck underneath your desk? They've been there for so long you've forgotten what's in them.

Lean Manufacturing uses a concept called Red Tagging as part of their 5S process. Items no longer needed or used on the manufacturing floor are marked with a Red Tag. The tag contains information such as the name of the item, where it needs to go as well as a due date for moving it. Within a matter of days the item is moved out of the shop, preventing clutter and encouraging organization.

Doesn't that process sound efficient? It is!

Although you don't have to use an actual Red Tag, you can apply the Red Tag technique in your office just as Lean Manufacturers do in their plants. So what sort of things are sitting around, gathering dust and are no longer needed?

Check out these six zones of your office where clutter may be lurking:

1. Under your desk. Some of you lack any type of leg space due to the boxes of "stuff" hidden away in this dark space. Time to free up the space and move out the unwanted and unused items. If you find pieces of equipment or files that need to go elsewhere in the company, "red tag" them by putting a label on them as to where and when they need to go.
2. On top of book shelves or filing cabinets. Flat spaces are a magnet for piles. And often things that you don't need but just can't seem to make a decision on. Time to bring those items down, blow off the dust and make some decisions as to what to do with them.
3. Bulletin board. If you've got layers on top of layers of "treasures", it's probably been a while since you took a hard look at what's been hiding out here. Time to peel through the layers and do some cleaning.
4. Desk drawer. Do you hoard sticky notes, pens or other supplies? If so, they can quickly become clutter in your desk drawers. Time to return them to the supply cabinet and enjoy the new-found space in your desk. And if you're hanging on to something like a broken stapler, I give you permission to pitch it!
5. Sticky notes. These might be layered around your computer monitor or stuck on a nearby cabinet or bulletin board. Take a few moments to review them, removing any that are expired or no longer need your attention.
6. Bulging filing cabinets. These precious storage commodities are often filled with expired items that have out-lived your company's retention policy. Time to sort, purge and reclaim some of that storage space. Have the shredder and/or garbage can close by to make the job go more quickly.