7 Ways to Organize, Simplify & Streamline Your Computer

Ever felt like your computer is just adding to your stress? Do you have a cluttered desktop? Too many internet bookmarks? Unorganized files? I understand.

Let’s clean it up by simplifying and organizing!

1. Clean up your desktop.

Create one or two folders that you use on a daily basis and put them on your desktop. Everything else must go! For me, these two are “Blair Blogs” and “Fall 2012.” Everything else can be filed away.

 

2. Create a file organization system that works for you.

Do you like to color code? Group by date? By subject matter? Figure out how you work best, and run with it. I organize by Date –> Subject –> Content.

If I have files that require my time, I use the Green (complete), Yellow (in progress), Red (not started) color-coding system, based on each file’s progress. This system is shown below.

 

3. Create a photo organization system that works for you.

Photos have the ability to grow and grow on our computers and leave us feeling totally overwhelmed. Create a filing system and stick to it. I use an album approach each named “Event, Date.”

You may need to set aside a few hours one evening to clean up your existing photos, but think of it as an investment. Next time you go to upload photos, you’ll already be organized! 🙂

 

4. Allow yourself places to dump files & photos.

Let’s be real. There are going to be days when you are too tired/stressed/distracted/etc. to file your documents and photos the way they should be filed. Create a couple of folders where you can dump these files to avoid computer clutter. Then, when you have the time, go back and put them where they belong!

On my toolbar, I have a folder called “Desktop Photos” where I throw random photos that I need a place to keep–things like background images, quotes, etc.

5. Bookmark web pages using icons, not words.

Bookmarks can quickly be another thing to distract and clutter. Spend a few minutes deleting the bookmark “titles” and just use the page’s icon on your bookmark bar (formally called a favicon). You’ll be amazed at how much more streamlined your browser will look!

Here’s how: open up your browser, click on “Bookmarks,” then “Bookmark Manager,” then double-click next to your bookmark and simply delete the words.

 

6. Open a Passpack account.

Passwords, oh passwords. They are absolutely critical and yet so annoying. Passpack is a website that will keep all of your passwords in one place under a tight lock and key for you. I was admittedly skeptical at first, but the folks at Passpack have developed a high-security system that leaves me feeling at peace knowing that all of my passwords are together in one place! Check out their website!

7. Clean our your inbox.

Potentially the most daunting of all. I saved the best for last! 🙂 There’s no magic wand for this one (that is except for “select all” and “delete!”). Create labels and tags, and spend some time weeding through the 2,368 e-mails that are currently in your inbox.

Above is what my inbox looks like right now. One e-mail. Everything immediately gets filed or acted on. The only reason why anything ever remains in my inbox is if it’s under the tag “Follow Up!”

 

There you have it friends! Seven easy ways to organize, simplify, and streamline your computer! Anyone ready to tackle the cyber clutter? Let me know how it goes! Comment below.