Having an unorganized workplace, especially when working from home can put a toll on your productivity. But when we think of messy, digital clutter usually doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Having your devices filled with files, apps and emails can not only impact your work but also put your information at risk.
Digital clutter is the disorganization of your data and files in your digital devices, whether that is a full storage, a crowded desktop or hundreds of unread emails, it can not only slow down your devices but it can also slow you down.
If you’re looking to find ways to achieve digital minimalism and increase productivity, here are some tips to deal with digital clutter:
Declutter the desktop
With increased device storage it’s easy to start accumulating files in your desktop and lose track of the amount of stuff you have saved. To start decluttering your desktop, think of it as organizing your garage, remove any files or apps you no longer need, then start creating folders such as utility, documents, photos, and drop all your floating files into a designated spot.
Organize your phone
Your phone is great for communicating with friends and family, keeping memories and even using it for work, so it’s easy to start accumulating unused photos and apps. If you want to free up storage space, and have your phone looking like new, you can start by going through your list of apps and deleting the ones you don’t need anymore. You can also backup your photos and delete any screenshots that are taking up space.
Purge your email
A lot of us might be guilty of keeping our inboxes full of unread and spam emails, which not only makes it an eye sore but it can also make you miss important emails. To help minimize this clutter, create an email account dedicated to messages you might want to see but don’t necessarily need to reply or check often. Adding labels and categorizing emails, such as “follow up” and “urgent” can be a great way to keep track of important messages that need to be addressed.
Decluttering your digital space is very important for your productivity and safety, but keeping it organized can be a struggle. Schedule monthly digital decluttering sections and delete any unused apps and files, and make sure to add files to a specific folder when downloading them.
If you want to find out more ways to deal with digital clutter and the benefits of having an organized device, you can check out The Zebra’s infographic below:
Leave a Reply