What's around, that shouldn't be?

I am in New York this weekend, just finishing a series of meetings with clients, and am continuing to think about one of "the little things."

It all started in a seminar last week in Long Beach. On one of the breaks, a participant asked, "How do you know what to keep, and what to throw away/recycle?"

Then, in a meeting yesterday, someone asked, "Can you give me an example of a specific activity you lead the seminar participants through that helps them with their Workplace Performance?"

In the seminar on Tuesday in Long Beach, the client and I were discussing paper - the printouts, photocopies, files and legal pads she had collected over time. As the conversation continued, we realized the query was much more significant than we thought; it was about ALL the things that were in the way of being effective at work.

Take a look around, right now, and ask yourself, "What is here in my workspace that I just don't need anymore?"

At the table where I'm typing this entry, I see 5 things that I don't need. I'm going to close with a short-list of areas you might review, and then...I'm moving these things to where they belong!

- In box (E-mail, voicemail, plastic in tray, mailbox in the office - if you have one)
- Center desk drawer (open it ALL the way, and look in there)
- Briefcase/purse/backback (or, if you travel regularly, your carryon or checked bag)
- Car (center console/under the seats/in the trunk/glove box)

Chances are you'll find SOMEthing that doesn't belong. Oh, and if you realize you need to replace something...write it down somewhere!