Throw away old papers. From mail to fax to advertisements and memos, paper is largest contributor to clutter in an office environment. Many people accumulate paper clutter due to a fear of throwing away something important. However, 80 percent of paper you save "just in case" is never needed again. And if it is, chances are you can recreate or get it from another source. Remember, your trashcan and your shredder are your friends.

Make faster decisions. Clutter happens when you put off making decisions. Try to get into habit of quickly deciding whether you should keep paper, mail and other items. The faster you can make confident decisions, faster you'll keep things moving through your life, which prevents backlog.

Here are some other simple tips for organizing your work environment:

* Have a master to-do list for each day at your desk. * Pre-Sort your mail: “To-File,” “To-Read,” “To-Contact” (write or call). * Use a variety of containers to organize office supplies, paper clips and pens. * Use a variety of desktop organizers or trays to organize papers that come across your desk. * Color-coding your files makes it faster to find information. * Sub-divide larger files with interior file folders. * Return calls in batches, leaving specific messages and time you called if person you’re trying to reach isn’t available. * Empty workspace of everything but project you’re working on to cut down on distractions. * At end of each project or event, organize paperwork and file or store it. * Straighten desk at end of day and especially at end of week so that you can start each morning with a clear desk.