But do not fear! It’s possible to customize the most meager of workspaces to a condition of comfort and order.

The only base requirements for a successful workspace are a flat surface (codename: desk) and some kind of file storage location (bookshelf, bin, file cabinet, chest, box). With these basics, I have been able to create wonderful environments for all kinds of productivity by following these principles for desk and file maintenance:

The Inbox

Absolutely the single most important aspect of any desk. This is where stuff (papers, books, mail, notes, scraps, print-offs) go whenever and wherever they are generated. The simpler an inbox is the better. A low box, capacious but not taking up more than a fifth of the desk works best for me. First thing I do when I get back to my room after any long period of time is empty out my pockets into the inbox. The major benefits of an inbox:

• It totally eliminates the problem of clutter on the desk
• I never have to go searching for a paper I “put somewhere”
• I don’t forget about stuff that has dropped off my radar, because my radar doesn’t have to cover a very large area
• The psychological effect of dumping stuff into the inbox is very freeing

The Lists

The lists are the essential counterpart to the inbox. The lists are not physical, they are metaphysical. (Ooooooo…) In fact they are just the big, broad mental categories (corresponding, in my case, to physical drawers in my file cabinet, and a pile of index cards) that all the stuff in my inbox will go into when it’s processed. My categories are to-do (from which I draw daily to-do lists—written on the index cards—and weekly to-do lists), to-remember, and to-tinker. Anything conceivably task-like that has a deadline goes into to-do. All the information that I suspect I’ll need sometime (addresses, phone-numbers, names of books, music, movies, etc.) goes into to-remember. And all the projects that don’t have a deadline go into to-tinker. I have more complex organization systems within each category, but the three over-arching categories of to-do, to-remember, and to-tinker are The Lists. The major benefits of the Inbox-Lists combination:

• All stuff gets channeled into an appropriate category for timely action
• The order imposed on the chaos of stuff gives peace of mind
• You have something to talk about at parties when people complain about being disorganized

White Space

Space bespeaks energy, I think. Empty space on a desk opens up the possibility and desire to get things done. At minimum, I believe efficient desks should be arranged with an empty flat surface large enough to write on comfortably. Ideally, most of the desk should be empty space. Whenever this space isn’t in use it should be kept clear. From experience I cannot overemphasize the psychological importance of maintaining this space. Physical minimalism is the key to office efficiency.

That last sentence sounds so nice to me I’m going to end this digression on desks right here.