The method that makes you more organized at work

Being organized at work — for some, it seems to come naturally. For others, piles of papers and overflowing inboxes become insurmountable obstacles before they’ve even taken their first sip of coffee. Look around your office and you’ll probably see exactly what I mean.

See that desk cluttered with pens, papers, coffee cups, and notebooks?

That could have been mine a few years ago.

So what’s their secret — those who always leave work with a clean desk and an empty inbox? Do they have more hours in a day? Or do they just spend all their time on admin?

The truth is, they use a simple technique that helps them stay on top of things.

And so can you.

(Even me.)

I’ll come back to that technique — and how I used its three core parts to stop needing professional help just to find my desk under all the clutter.

Let’s be honest: few people get excited about tidying up their workspace.

But once you start organizing your desk and your computer, the results are immediate. Suddenly you can find your files without clicking endlessly through folders.

And it’s not hard.

In fact, it’s super easy.

It’s all about having a system for managing your emails, messages, documents, and time.

I like to combine this method with the Pomodoro technique, and it works every single time.

Here’s the three-part system:

Rules and routines for notifications, messages, and emails
Rules for document management
Smart scheduling of your time

1. Create routines for notifications, messages, and email

Even the most organized people struggle to keep up with the flood of notifications. Emails, chats, app alerts — the average person receives 20–80 emails a day. That’s a lot of pings, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.

The people who manage it well have a system — one that includes both rules for how to react to messages and a structured schedule for when to handle them.

Without clear boundaries, you’ll end up right back where you started: buried in clutter and stress.

Here’s how:

You can’t control when messages arrive, but you can control when and how you respond to them.
Create a daily 30–45 minute calendar block for message management.
During this time, decide which messages are urgent and which can wait.
Don’t schedule any other meetings or tasks during this block.
Set a response deadline for the messages you don’t get to right away — for example, within 24 hours.
Share your system with your colleagues so they understand how you work.

Tip:

In lynes, you can create a temporary status called Focus.

When it’s active, all chat notifications are paused and incoming calls (both internal and external) can be forwarded.

When your focus time is over, your status switches back automatically — so you can stay productive without distractions.

2. Manage your documents efficiently

Having a consistent approach to document management will save you tons of time. It might take a few days to set up, but once it’s in place, the difference is huge.

Here’s how:

Create a clear naming convention for your files and folders.
Add version numbers to file names, such as MarketingReport_V1.
When you make changes, update the number (V2, V3, etc.).
This makes collaboration easier — your teammates always know which version you’re discussing and you avoid misunderstandings.

Tip:

Sharing files in lynes couldn’t be easier.

Drag a document into a chat channel and drop it there — done! Everyone can view, comment, and discuss it instantly.

All history is saved automatically, so you can see who shared what and when.

And because files are stored alongside the chat conversation, you’ll always have full context.

Combine this with version control and you’ll never work on the wrong file again.

3. Protect your most valuable resource: time

Time is the hardest thing to manage. Disruptions and bottlenecks can easily derail your day, no matter how organized you are. That’s why it’s crucial to set clear rules for how you manage your time.

Here’s how:

Schedule time blocks in your calendar.
I always work in blocks — dedicated periods for focused work, meetings, and message management.
Use lynes’ status feature to mute notifications and manage calls while you’re focusing.
Be strict with meeting times. Start and end on time. Meetings tend to overrun unless you actively control them.
Set clear and realistic expectations for how and when you respond.
If you reply to messages late at night, people will expect that.
If you wait until morning, they’ll learn that too. Communicate your boundaries — it saves everyone time.