The Organized Workplace - is that an Oxymoron?

I've purchased paper planners, to-do pads, downloaded digital apps, read numerous articles and tried every tip I know and I still struggle to stay organized at work. 

Part of the problem is that I'm always afraid that the minute I toss something, my bosses will want a copy.  It's happened to me.  It could happen to you.

I find myself picking up the same pieces of paper over and over.  

I have a long way to go, but there are a few things that I'm trying very hard to implement that seem to be taking away just a bit of my clutter chaos.

1.  Continue to maintain and update your "to-do" list daily.

2.  Make best use of what you have.  That means you probably don't need five cute little notepads.  Pick one you like and toss the rest. 

3.  Allow yourself ten minutes before my actual day starts to check my emails for the most important ones.

4.  If your computer hard drive sits on your desk, try moving it to the floor.  More attractive and gives you a larger workspace. 

5.  Don't hoard supplies.  It's easy to get in the habit of keeping a supply of labels at your desk, but one or two sheets is all you need at a time.  Otherwise, you won't remember where you hid them when you need them.

6.  If you're like me and need to see things in actual print, then by all means, print the email instructions for your ease of comprehension.  After the task is complete, recycle it.

And last but not least, one task at a time.  We all multitask to a degree.  However, not as well as we might think.