Why All Your Files and Folders Need a Home

At my house, we have a designated drawer in the entry room dresser that serves a very important purpose. It holds all of our “junk.” Pencils, pens, cords, playing cards, coupons, a screwdriver, white out–you name it, it’s probably in there. We put the stuff there that we don’t quite know what to do with.

A Junk Drawer for Your Desktop

Similarly, we need to have a “junk” drawer for our computer desktop. If we don’t things can get quickly out of hand–old application downloads, flickr images, free audiobooks, documents, screen shots, multiple project folders… All of this stuff magically finds its way onto our desktop. Clutter. Chaos. Ick.

Not only does the extra baggage on our desktop create a psychological distraction, it also bogs down our computer’s performance. Nothing hogs processing like a bulky desktop. So for all you desktop slobs, here’s a quick and easy way to cut down on your clutter.

I recently discovered a simple concept called “Needs a Home” for file processing. It’s super-simple. Create a folder and put it on your desktop. Call it “Needs a Home”. Here’s mine:

Whenever I download something, it does in the “Needs a Home” folder. Whenever I grab something from an email, it goes in the “Needs a Home” folder. Whenever I have a file I’m not quite sure what to do with, it foes in the–you guessed it–”Needs a Home” folder.

File Management Accountability

“But Justin,” you say, “why not just use the ‘downloads’ folder?”

Good question. But the key here is accountability. The downloads folder is tucked away nicely within the filing system of the Mac OS. The “Needs a Home” folder sits on your desktop, begging you to be accountable. That’s the key to keep your desktop clutter-free. Having a system that stares you in the face.

I set aside some time at the end of each week to process the “Home” folder. It doesn’t take more than 5-1o minutes, and it forces me to ask the question, “Do I really need this file?” 9 times out 10 it’s a resounding “no!” Then delete it. Your folder with a week’s worth of file accumulation goes from this:

To this:

Don’t you feel better already? I know I do. It’s managing your files instead of letting them manage you! It’s a small step, but it creates a tremendous sense of control, calm and serenity while working.

Over the years, I’ve winnowed down what I allow on my desktop and gotten it to a point where I only have three items present: Hard drive, Desktop alias, and “Needs a Home” folder.

Now that is a thing of beauty. It’s because all my desktop files and folders have a home.

What about you? Do you have any desktop file management tricks or tips? Please share in the comments below.