I did not always have an organized desk. For years and years, it was piled high with files, notes, and the occasional coffee cup that had somehow become part of the landscape. I was surrounded by file folders on the floor around my desk and around my office.  I knew where things were, but finding them often meant moving three other stacks first.

That changed when we moved offices (and joined a new firm almost four years back).  The move forced me to scale back on paper and sort through old files. I had to decide what actually needed to stay close at hand, what could be scanned and what could be discarded. What began as a practical packing exercise turned into a fresh start.

Once I settled into the new space, the difference was immediate. With fewer papers around me and a place for the things I needed, my desk felt calmer and more useful. It no longer looked like a reminder of unfinished work; it felt and continues to feel like a place to begin.

I have not looked back since.

What does your desk look like?