Our devices are a big part of our daily lives with work and also fun. But they can make us less productive. In this article, you will learn how to organise your devices and some ways to boost your productivity to get more done.
Why device organisation is important?
Unorganised devices slow us down and make it hard to find what we need. An organised device makes for a faster and have a much more productive experience, while also reducing stress and saving time.
How does clutter impact productivity?
Clutter on devices adversely influences productivity as it forces you to waste precious time searching through things to find what we want. It may also make computers run slower, too which adds to the frustration.
Benefits of organised devices?
There are several benefits when using organised devices: they help us find things easier, work more efficiently, feel less stressed and have more free time. Now let us look into 8 ways on how to organise your device for better productivity.
1. Declutter your home screen?
Remove any unused apps
Do you have any unused shortcuts or documents on your desktop? Remove those you never use. This will make it easier to find the ones you need.
Group similar apps
Gather similar apps into folders. This keeps your home screen neat and clean, while allowing you to find applications much quicker.
Use a minimalist wallpaper
Use a simple wallpaper as this will allow you to focus on your apps and tasks rather than the background.
2. How do you organise your files and folders?
Set up Logical Folders
Set up file types in folders and label them appropriately. This then make access easier and faster.
Naming your files descriptively
Clearly label the name of the file. Attach dates or names of projects for easy location of files.
House clean now and then
Remove any old and irrelevant files. This frees up space and reduces clutter.
3. How you can organise your emails?
Create Folders and Labels
Create folders for emails of different kinds. Label them and categorise them accordingly. This helps to keep your inbox organised.
Unsubscribe to Unwanted Emails
Remove your name from email lists you never read. This cleans up your inbox and stops distractions when new emails arrive.
The Two-Minute Rule
If an email can be handled within two minutes, then handle it immediately. This helps you avoid the piling up of small tasks.
4. How Can You Optimise Your Browser?
Organise Bookmarks
Makes finding websites easier. by sorting your bookmarks into folders and deleting the ones you do not use.
Clear your cache regularly
This helps your browser run faster and also frees up disk space on your device.
Use browser extensions wisely
Too many extensions can slow down your browser so only keep the extensions you use.
5. What are good ways to manage passwords?
Generate strong, unique passwords
Use a different password for every account. To your accounts secure make them long and complicated.
Enable two-factor authentication
2FA adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts as it makes them harder to access as you need two forms of identification – your password and a special code.
Use a password manager
This tool securely vaults all your passwords. You only have to remember one master password. Check out our article on password managers for more information.
6. How can you streamline your notifications?
Turn off unnecessary notifications
To decrease distractions, only keep notifications from important apps. Turn all the other notifications off. This includes notifications from private mailboxes, social media, websites etc.
Set specific times to check notifications
Don’t view notifications throughout the day as this can easily distract you. Pick a certain times of the day to view notifications. In this way, you will be able to concentrate on your work with out getting distracted.
Use ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode
Switch this on when you really need to focus on something as this blocks all your notifications until you turn them back on.
7. What is the best type of data backup?
Cloud storage
Storing your important data in the cloud keeps them safe and easy to access.
Set up automatic backups
Make your device backup files on a regular basis. This ensures you don’t forget to backup files.
Keep multiple copies of important files
Store critical files in more than one location, cloud, local hard drive and in a separate place (ie your house, relatives house etc). This protects against data loss.
8. How can you maintain your device’s health?
Update software regularly
Keeping your applications and operating system updated will enhance their performance and increase your security.
Run virus scans regularly
Run virus scans using antivirus software to check for threats. This will keep your device safe from any kind of threat.
Clean your device physically
Dust and dirt can clog up your fans and slow down your device. Cleaning it regularly will help in keeping it in good shape.
It takes some time and effort to organise your devices, but it is really worth the investment and you will be more productive and less stressed. Try at least one from this list and then, once you get comfortable, try some of the others. Remember, everybody has different needs, so implement what will works best for you. If you need help organising your devices, contact us now for personalised advice on boosting productivity.