Because of radical changes to our office layout in the past few weeks. all of our team have had to clear their desks and consider their filing habits much more than usual.
I’ve actually found the discipline of keeping a clear desk (by which I mean, empty in-tray, nothing else except phone and computer) has really helped my sense of organisation and productivity. I have the feeling that I can choose my own priorities- that I can choose what is important over what is urgent. I also appreciate having the space to spread out whatever it is I’m currently working on!
That said, I can see how keeping things filed and clearing one’s desk could easily become a substitute for ‘real’ work.
things that might have been otherwise 
How’s this one panning out JF? Still got an empty desk and in-tray? Feeling like the filing is under control?
Could make an interesting follow-up…
I must confess that a bit of clutter has crept onto the desk. In fact the other week, it’s fair to say it was very cluttered indeed. As well as extra faff I did find it made me feel a bit overwhelmed.
And just yesterday I watched a colleague spill coffee over some key documents he had piled on his desk- another reason to keep it clear!