PHA's Tidbits - San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City: April 2011

All You Need in a Desk Drawer

Last week we talked about necessary and unnecessary items in your kitchen utility drawer and the need to get rid of clutter. Same thing here.

How many ink pens do you have that actually write? How many are either out of ink, dried up because someone forgot to put the cap back on or don't even have the inside filler thingy? Instead of throwing the pen in the waste bin, it goes right back into the drawer! Like maybe it will work the next time?

And what about all those pencils? None of which are sharp because you lost your sharpener. And while looking for a sharp pencil you stab yourself with the Exacto knife that you always end up using as a sharpener!

Organizing for many businesses and for people doing business at home alike, I always suggest a list of basics that everyone should have and then adapt for specific, individual needs. The point again and again is to get rid of stuff you will never use that just gets in the way; literally and mentally.

Here is my short list of what I would deem as necessary:

• One dozen of your favorite pens;
• personal stationery;
• classic stapler;
  
• weighted tape dispenser;
• book of Forever Stamps;
• black permanent marker and a silver marker (for dark paper) and highlighter;
• small and large sticky notes;
• small and large paper clips; binder clips;
• a 12 to 18" stainless ruler; roll-on glue;
  
• pair of scissors (titanium stay sharp for years!);
  
• and 2-3 #2 or mechanical pencils.

And don't forget a pencil sharpener. A good, simple old-fashioned hand-held one could be had for 10 bucks or so. Or, go cheap with a small plastic one.... You'll save that alone on all the bandage costs from the many exacto knife cuts that you won't get!