We all know that we should maintain a clean work area for efficiency and productivity, but if you saw my office, you would not be positively impressed. I must work constantly to keep clutter under control. Files, papers, reports, ideas for new books and workbooks, folders, and client projects are everywhere.

Getting and staying organized is a constant struggle for me. I tend to put my projects in piles, which looks like clutter, and then I cannot find the things I need, so I am constantly sorting and resorting through piles, creating more piles, which is clutter.

Every week I spend at least an hour (usually Saturday mornings) organizing and reorganizing my workspace, because I know I work better with a tidier space.

I admire people who always keep a clean desk. My desk is only clean and tidy once a week, and that is when I purge paperwork, put things back where they belong, and file paperwork.

I must work really hard at organizing and clearing my workspace.