Start With a Clean Slate

Firstly, you want to begin by assessing your current digital clutter. With digital organizing his includes emails, files, photos, apps, and generally any other digital content. Then you will want to delete anything you no longer need or use. Be equally ruthless in your decluttering process just like your physical space. It is especially important to help keep your machines running smoothly so let’s eliminate unnecessary digital baggage with a vengeance. You’ll have to do it sooner or later, we always suggest sooner.

Establish a File Organization System

Create a logical folder structure for your files and documents. Organize them by category, project, or date to make it easy to locate them when needed. We think it’s especially important to use the same naming convention across your files. I.e. always start with a date followed by the name or  putting a person’s name in all caps in essence you want to pick a style, so to speak, and stick to it. In the long run, this will truly save you. What’s more consider using cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud for seamless access across devices. Having your files all in one place will help with searching for files and not to mention keeping them off your hard drive, thus freeing up more space.

Think About the Surrounding Space

Meanwhile when thinking about digital organizing there’s similarly an opportunity to  upgrade your office space or mobile office on the go (that’s what we call laptops, lol) . Not surprisingly, we love a moment where we can be organized and subsequently bring in tools that look great. These are no brainers in your office space. A charging dock for ALL your electronic devices, a laptop stand which comes in handy when spills happen.  For our larger monitors we like this riser to elevate and keep it eye level while also creating a bit more space on your desk which of course, we love.

Tame Your Email Inbox

An overflowing inbox can cause unnecessary stress and distractions. Implement a system for managing emails, such as using labels, folders, or filters to categorize and prioritize messages. Unsubscribe from newsletters or mailing lists that no longer serve you.

Digital Note-taking and Task Management

When digital organizing use digital tools like Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, or Todoist to keep track of your notes, ideas, and tasks. Create separate notebooks or lists for different projects or areas of your life to stay organized and focused

Streamline Your Digital Photos

With the proliferation of smartphones, we often end up with thousands of digital photos scattered across devices. Take the time to organize and delete duplicate or low-quality photos. Use photo management apps like Google Photos or Apple Photos to categorize, tag, and backup your pictures. You can check out our blog on photo organizing for more ways to organize your photos.

Maintain a Clean Desktop

Not unlike a cluttered physical desk that can hinder productivity, a cluttered desktop can undeniably make it challenging to find what you need on your computer. Therefore keeping your computer desktop clean and organized by moving files into appropriate folders or using tools like desktop organizers will help keep you in line straightaway. Another great way to easily create a system is color coding because your brain can more easily associate items that have matching colors. 

Backup Your Data Regularly

We emphatically recommend you protect your digital assets by backing up your data regularly. Generally using external hard drives, cloud storage, or automated backup services to ensure that your important files and documents are safe and accessible in case of hardware failure or loss will indeed give you peace of mind when you are digital organizing.

Stay Mindful of Digital Consumption

Equally important, limit your digital consumption by unsubscribing from unnecessary notifications, minimizing social media usage, and practicing digital detoxes. Sure, we all think maybe one day I’ll want what is being sent to me in the hundreds of emails I sign up for, this is a time to take a good look at yourself and say, “I don’t need it!” You know, that’s basically just a good motto overall to stick by. Besides just being mindful of your digital habits you consequently can help prevent digital clutter from accumulating in the first place. Win/Win/Win (we really like to win!)

And Just Like That

Lastly by incorporating these tips into your digital organizing routine, you can declutter and organize your digital space for improved productivity, efficiency, and overall well-being. That is to say, you’re now a digitally organized rock star, something we’re sure has never been said before. To sum up, organizing your digital life is an ongoing process, with this in mind you can just make it a habit to regularly review and eventually you will be able to maintain your digital space to ensure it remains tidy and clutter-free without even thinking about it. Want to know more about how to create habits? We’ve got a blog for that too 😉 you can read it here.