Work life can make you go crazy - schedules change at the last minute, people need you at the meeting when you least expect to be called in, tasks need to be passed on from one hand to the other.

Why not start organizing your work life starting with your office desk?

Even when situations get out of hand, you’ll manage to find your way through if you have the most basic items you need in order to survive.

1.  Tools of trade

A pen always seems to get misplaced, co-workers always seem to need to borrow a pen (or two) from you. Having them around will help you not go frantic when you need to scribble something down ASAP.

2.  Pin it!

Have a corner where you can see what’s on your plate. Work requires you to be all-knowing in areas you’re supposed to and a board would let you know in just one glance what you need to get covered for a project you’re currently working on.  

A cork board or a chalk board (if you prefer it) can also help you release your creative side in an otherwise technical world. Have a personal corner where you can draw doodles or put photos of you and your friends.

3.  To-do list

Always keep track of the tasks you are working on with a small notebook solely devoted for your to-do lists. It gives you a sense of direction and at the same time, this would help you back track where you were and what you were busy with during specific dates or when you’re trying to find something.

4.  Write it down

Have a clean sheet of paper or a memo pad by your side at all times. Ideas sometimes pop in your head at the most random times and to put it in writing as soon as you can will help you keep that idea despite the busy surroundings. Phone calls can also get in the way and you might need to take down notes so as not to get confused with what you’re currently working on and what you just heard over the phone.

5.  It’s a date!

What’s an office desk without a calendar? Make sure to mark down important dates as well as your vacation leaves and sick leaves. Have fun with color coding dates you need to remember. Noting these down will help you if ever you need to track down where you were  on a particular date or why you were not inside the office at a particular time.