A psychologist explains how to organize your computer desktop for optimal productivity
Yet, we constantly neglect them - we litter them with old documents, photos, and folders we no longer need, and fail to clean them up as often as we should.
The problem with having a messy computer desktop is, it can negatively affect our productivity, says psychologist Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center in Newport Beach, California.
"A clean desk or desktop can be like taking a deep breath, allowing you to focus," Rutledge says.
On the other hand, when your computer desktop is cluttered, it takes more time to find important documents and locate icons, which slows down your workflow. Staring at an overwhelmingly disorganized desktop all day can also affect your mood - it can make you anxious or frustrated - which, of course, also impacts productivity.
If you want to give your computer an end-of-the year clean-out that will help you achieve optimal productivity, follow these five tips from Rutledge: