Are you looking to declutter duplicates from your office and home? 

Tired of wasting entire afternoons searching for something, only to learn the item in question is the wrong one?

In this post, you’ll find a clever way to “give” yourself some more time.

It involves disposing or consolidating duplicate items.

Now, this isn’t to say there won’t be any time investment involved.

You’ll have to put up some of your time to process things.

Once your initial time investment is complete, you won’t have to worry about wasted hours, or days, dealing with duplicate items.

Wondering how duplicates can waste your time? It’s pretty simple, really. Duplicate items:

Make you work harder.

As I mentioned earlier, a duplicate item doubles your work.

If you pull a file from the filing cabinet that looks eerily similar to the one that’s one your desk, guess what?

You’ll have to invest time and energy to reconcile your records.

You’ll have to check, and double-check everything to make sure you have up to date and correct materials.

Take up more space.

Select any number of items, and multiply them by two. Just like that, you’ve got twice the amount of stuff.

While duplicates of one item may seem harmless enough, consider for a moment what multiple duplicates will do for a single filing cabinet, room, closet, or home office.

That’s a lot of extra stuff you’ve got to deal with in your daily routines, no?

Can cause problems with others.

You tell one of your co-workers to update a certain computer file.

They tell you they’ve found it, and are updating it, but when you go to review the file, you realize they’ve updated the wrong one.

Duplicates can not only cause frustrations, but they can cost you time and money at work, and home.

They can also put a perfectly good relationship on the rocks.

So, what’s to be done?

Finding and removing duplicates in your office or home is a good start. Here’s what to do:

Make a list of known duplicates.

Take a moment to think about any duplicates you’ve come across over the past few days, weeks, and months.

Maybe you’re aware of a pair of factory-packed egg slicers amongst your kitchen utensils?

How about those two small wastebaskets sitting in amongst your office supplies?

Having a tough time coming up with items? Do a bit of hands-on exploration.

Open a few drawers, closets, or containers, and do a quick visual scan. Do any duplicates jump out at you?

Check the usual suspects.

Having a difficult time coming up with duplicates? Check out this brief list of items.

These items might trigger your memory of a long-forgotten duplicate you’ve been meaning to remove.

• Small kitchen appliances
• Cleaning supplies and products
• Books
• Paper files
• Kitchen gadgets
• Clothing
• Garden or yard tools
• Spices
• Computer files
• Craft materials and supplies
• Electronic devices

Make a decision About the Duplicate.

Once you’ve uncovered any duplicates, it’s time to create a game plan.

Here’s a rough guide to help you out.

Paper files – Open up the duplicate items and go through all papers and materials, slowly and carefully. It will take some time to sort papers and identify things, but it’s worth it. You don’t want to accidentally throw away something you need!

Computer files – You can open up files manually to check for duplicates, or you can do an online search for a duplicate file program or app to help with the process. Again, you’ll have to make certain you’re not getting rid of any information that’s needed.

Small kitchen appliances/Electronic devices – First, check to see if the item actually works. Generally speaking, if it’s broken, it’s probably not worth keeping. If the item works, you may want to give it away to a friend, or family member, or donate it to a charity group.

Cleaning supplies and products, books, kitchen gadgets, clothing, garden or yard tools, spices, craft materials and supplies…and everything else – Okay, you’ve two choices here. The first choice is to donate duplicate items to a charity or other organization.

The second choice is a bit more involved. Let’s say you’ve got a stash of unopened office supplies or decorating supplies.

You don’t want to donate or dispose of these items, and you’re not going to use them right away, so what should you do?

Do yourself a favor and move these items into a separate container or space in your home. You might want to label the container or area “Duplicates,” or “Extra,” or “Spares.”

This is a simple move, but the idea here is to get the duplicates out of your way, so you’re not tripping over things, or using two opened items at the same time.

Finish what you already have opened, then dip into your duplicate supplies only when you need them.

Learn how to get organized at the office

Organizing an office well requires careful thought, planning, and of course, targeted action.

My organization guide will teach you how to be more organized around the office and home.

If you want to organize your office or home so you can find what you need when you need it, then check out my productivity consulting services. Book a strategy session with me today!

How about you? What type of duplicate items tend to wreak havoc in your home or office? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!