To follow are some practical suggestions for avoiding desktop distractions:

1) File immediately. Anyone who visits our news articles section regularly knows that we cannot say this enough: avoid pile-ups! We know it can be difficult to keep up with your filing when you get really busy, but to keep your desk neat and orderly, its imperative that you don’t allow paperwork to grow into unmanageable stacks.

2) Use the tops of credenzas and lateral file cabinets. These pieces of organizing furniture can be found in almost every office. And even if you work in a cubicle, there’s probably a flat-top credenza or cabinet nearby, providing space where you can store such things as binders and catalogs…rather than letting them clutter your desktop.

3) Utilize shelves. This is another smart location for storing things that might otherwise cause confusion by taking up space on your desk. A shelf, not your desk, is the proper place for items such as phone books, magazines and videos.

4) Create drop spots. Perhaps a basket designed to hang on your wall, or some other kind of receptacle to temporarily drop memos, notes and other small papers…keeping those kinds of easy-to-lose documents off your desk until you have time to look at them.

5) Try not to get too personal. Minimize the urge to clutter your desk with an excessive amount of personal items, such as photographs and knick-knacks. Of course, its great to have some of these in your workspace, just don’t overdo it so that your desk is covered with them.

6) Accessorize. Office organizers, such as file sorters with different compartments, and plastic bins that can hold almost anything, are ideal for storing a wide array of office materials that might instead accumulate on your desk.

Do you have a tip or suggestion when it comes to cleaning the desktop? Then share it with the readers of The Office Gal. Leave a comment or contact me and I will add it to our list!

This article was originally posted at and written by Jane Servenio of American Folder Company and has been re-printed at The Office Gal with permission.

Past experience working in cubicles has left a sour taste in my mouth. A 3 foot by 3 foot area to call my own, with a depressing shade of blue or gray, sometimes both, that can leave you very depressed about going into work. The hardest part about working in a cubicle setting, everyone knows your business, leaving you with a feeling of your personal space being violated.

Well, over the past few years cubicles have taken the high road. Designers are giving the old cubicle a face lift, coming out with energetic looks that will give you reason to wake up and sprint off to work. OK, maybe not that great, but still awesome none the less.

I could definitely work in this cubicle setting, could you? Designed by Douglas Ball the cubicle offers a workspace worth working in; privacy, but still able to communicate with your team, and an added feature, a closing door for added privacy or a notice that you are busy at work.

I like the look of this cubicle because it has a very clean appealing look. Plus, an easy to clean feel so that you can easily clean the cubicle walls, something a bit difficult to do if you were ever lucky enough to spend time inside a blue or gray carpeted cubicle. You know what I’m talking about – shredding fabric that everything clung to.

Another cubicle that I found a bit interesting and that you have to see is by Knoll A3 Office. A design of what many think looks like the “furniture of the future”, takes on a whole new concept in workstations.

Really not seeing much privacy offered by this creation, but I find it to be a stylish way to go for a cubicle. A smart idea! Do you live in a loft setting? Use this cubicle to separate your office from the rest of your home.

According to a germ study conducted in 2001 by Charles Gerba of the University of Arizona, the top five spots most contaminated with germs in an office setting are: phones, desktops, water fountain handles, microwave door handles and keyboards. Gross! The most touched items within your office are also the most germ-ridden items.

Don’t freak out. These are items that are easily overlooked in an office. Even in larger office settings where a cleaning team is already in place, these items may still only be cleaned once per week. Take it upon yourself to keep a healthy office.

Always keep antibacterial wipes available. Use these wipe to clean your desk top, telephone, and keyboard. This will help you to contact on spreading germs, especially if you have come down with a cold. You can avoid spreading those germs back to you, or anyone else for that matter. I suggest as you leave your office for the day, pull out a wipe and wipe away. One a weekly basis wipe down chair and desk handles – things you touch once in a while, but still carry germs.

Use hand sanitizer. Is someone sick in your office? Do you think you are coming down with something? After touching door knobs, or someone else’s keyboard or phone, use the sanitizer.

Wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom and before you eat. Remember, your hands have touched your keyboard and phone most likely prior to eating. Wash your hands.

Wash drinking glasses, mugs, and utensils. Don’t leave these items in the sink for someone else to take care of them. They are your items, you wash them, that way you know they are clean.

Vacuum your area. If your office has cleaners that vacuum nightly or weekly, you may not feel the need to do this. If you work in a small office that cleans themselves or has a cleaner monthly, Vacuum at least twice a week. Food has fallen on the floor, dust settles, plus who knows what has been tracked in, vacuum.

Smart point: if you work in a cubicle with those lovely fabric walls, vacuum those as well. People never think about the dust and germs that settle on the cubicle wall. Just like carpeting, cubicle walls attract it all too.

Get some office plants. Seems silly to write this after everything else, but plants will help clean your air and can also just liven up your office space.

And last but not least if you are sick, stay home. I know, easier said then done, right? I have been known to be bad on this point. Realize that if your are sick, going into a not-so-healthy environment will not make you better and will only make others sick.

Are there any points you would like to add on how you make your office a bit healthier to work in? Leave a comment and let us know.

Yes, I do have a weekly meeting. On Friday, I pull together my calendar, notes, projects, and sit down with the phone to voice mail to concentrate on my review and follow-up.

Current Week:

• File completed projects
• Update timelines on open projects
• Layout timelines for new projects
• Update dates on my calendar
• Review any notes
• Rewrite sticky notes into my notebook

New Week:

• Begin To-Do list for new week
• Prioritize projects
• Highlight priority follow-ups
• Highlight priority e-mails
• Highlight priority calls

Yes, there will be things that might need to be updated throughout the week, but you should never miss a week without a complete sit down and review. Regardless if it is 30 minutes to two hours, it will be the best time spent of the whole week. You never know what you might have missed during the week. This is definitely the catch time!

Do you have any tips on a weekly meeting? How do you review your week? We would love to hear your tips – let us know!

This is an original The Office Gal post.

At one point, you will reach the level of no return. You will need to control the urge to accept the interruptions and put a stop to them. Rephrase that. It might not stop them, but it will limit them to allow you the time to carry on with your business.

The following tips may work alone or in a combination of several together to help you control your office. Not every tip will fit every office and some might not work at all for you. Give them a try and let us know which ones work!

Slash the e-mail. Funny thing is the largest interruption is actually your own e-mail. Some people are e-mail junkies and will check it every five to ten minutes. Slow down! Many e-mails have pop-ups that will show you a snippet of the e-mail. If it’s not important right now, leave it. Optimally, set up three times per day to check your inbox.

Set up office times. If you work out of your home, set up specific office hours for meetings and phone calls. Having this allotted time makes sure your remaining work hours are spent being productive on projects. Don’t allow calls and pop-ins to happen. Once it is accepted, people will begin to take advantage.

Close the door. If you work in an office with many others, walk-ins can be disastrous to your projects, especially if you have Miss Gossip that loves to visit, and visit often. Create a sign stating you are working on a project and hang it up – on your door, cubicle, or wall. Give yourself a a specific time window, like two hours, before you will begin seeing people again. Use your voice mail and e-mail to your advantage!

Set meet-up times. Of course you will have a handful of people that are “must” meets. An assistant, or fellow team leader, or your own team leader if you work in a home office. Set specific times to meet with these people daily or weekly. This will allow everyone to be prepared to meet and breeze through instead of dropping in and forgetting what you had to ask or say.

Do you have a tip or suggestion when it comes to avoiding office interruptions? Share it with the readers of The Office Gal. Leave a comment or contact me and I will add it to our list!

This is an original The Office Gal post.

Starting a business blog is not a difficult process. As a business you have something to say, so share it! Capture the opportunity that you have by blogging. Blogs are also inexpensive. Start a free blog with a service such as WordPress. Once your have gained some exposure and feel the need to expand, your free service will give you options of several different packages to purchase. 

So what are the BIG positives for your business? Well, I have expanded on them below, but quickly: potential sales, potential work, communicating, and networking.

Communications and networking. Like I said earlier, you own a business, so you have something to share. Blogs are a great tool to talk about your industry by discussing new techniques in your field or giving your opinions on industry standard. With your first post, you have opened yourself up to a vast group of new people. Others in your field will be drawn into discussions with you – sharing, offering advice, and giving you feedback.

One you have opened up the lines of communication, you have started networking. Reaching partners and possible expansion financing.

Potential customers or clients. As your business opens up to your industry, you have also opened up to potential new customers and clients. With your blog you have become global. Now your blog has become an effective advertising tool. Promote new products and services by one simple post. Talk about what is happening within your company. Share how your company supports the community. Knowing something a bit more personal about your company will help a new customer or client say “Yes” to your business.

Do you have some suggestions for starting a business blog? Leave a comment or let us know!

This is an original The Office Gal post.

Time to go read. Improve and enjoy!

• Keep it Real, Even When it Sucks @ Slacker Manager.
• How Do You Answer Your Weakest Interview Question? @ Daily Career Connection.
• Top 5 Unexpected Places to Network @ Daily Biz Solutions.
• Get Things Started: Simpler Than GTD? @ Freelance Switch.
• 9 Ideas For A More Creative And Effective Brainstorming Process @ Freelance Folder.
• Cut Waste! Stop Spreadsheet Sloppiness @ Project Management 411.

There you go readers, six links to help you get up and go for a great week!

And as always, if you have a link that you feel would be great to feature in our weekly link love, please let us know!

This is an original The Office Gal post.

This week I am sharing with you how you can plan to be more productive, building an online business, and how to have a great week at the office! Some great posts and articles to read with tips to take to the bank!

Monday morning reads are right below. Go read and be successful. Enjoy!

• Planning Your Way for a More Productive-Inducing Office @ Productivity Goal.
• So What Are the Rules For Dismissing Incompetent Employees? @ Daily Biz Solutions.
• Pay Attention! Attention to Details Will Set Your Business Apart @ Freelance Folder.
• 10 Quick Tips for Building a Business Online @ Copyblogger.
• Happiness and the End of the Working Week @ Put Things Off.
• What Are You Saying Between the Lines? @ Chris Garrett on New Media.

There you go readers, six links to help you get up and go for a great week!

And as always, if you have a link that you feel would be great to feature in our weekly link love, please let us know!

This is an original The Office Gal post.