We often put a lot of focus on keeping our physical workspaces clean. We remove clutter, tidy up cords, remove dust/spills, etc, but we often don't put a lot of emphasis on cleaning our digital lives.
The Importance of Digital Cleanliness
For anyone in an IT position, having a clean digital workspace can save you incalculable time and stress. The less files you have on you desktop, the more clear minded you can make yourself. You might not realize it, but looking at those files a few hundred times over the course of a few weeks can stress you out.
When I start new jobs I create a new /projects folder near the root. Any requirements docs, important emails, or notes get filed away in the correct folder. So when business analysts, project managers, or other developers ask questions about a specific project, I often have the information to help them.
Take time to narrow done the tools and bookmarks you rely on. Your bookmark tool should only have the links you use regularly. You can often delete programs you no longer use, startup less processes, or consolidate multiple old programs into one new multi-use program. Also, do you really need to have 25 browser tabs open? It may be time to let go, and feel the thrill of permanently deleting your junk and clutter.
Digital Minimalism
Realize that life is more about saying no than saying yes. Your life will consist of countless opportunities, but what really matters is saying no to the garbage, and saying yes to the diamonds. Organizing your digital life can help you focus on the stuff that really matters.
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