I recently came across an interesting book called Organizing for Dummies
by Eileen Roth and Elizabeth Miles. This is not a manufacturing or office book but rather a book about tidying up and clearing clutter in your house. Nevertheless, there is some practical advice for anyone. The authors offer several simple acronyms to help you get organized and stay organized.
When you are deciding what to keep and what to pitch use the WASTE way of questioning:
W — Worthwhile? Do you truly like the item? Think of cost of storage vs. cost of replacement.
A — Again? Will you use it, really? Think probability?
S — Somewhere else? Can it be borrowed or found somewhere else if you need it?
T — Toss? Will the world end if you get rid of it? Think consequences.
E — Entire? Do you need the whole thing or just part of it?
When deciding where things should go put everything in its PLACE:
P — Purge: Get rid of it, look at the WASTE questions above.
L — Like with like: Create a center for things, can variety be reduced?.
A — Access: Create a spot that is easy to get to your things.
C — Contain: Use containers to create space and keep things together.
E — Evaluate: Does this organizational layout work?
Many of us should learn REMOVE in our office to create successful work area:
R — Reduce distractions from your desktop.
E — Everyday use items stay on top of your desk.
M — Move items to the preferred side, like the right side if you’re right-handed.
O — Organize together, keep similar items grouped together.
V — View your time, keep a clock on your desk.
E — Empty the center so you have a clean workspace.
These simple acronyms follow the standard 5S thinking in Lean manufacturing that we are familiar with. How do you use 5S in your work at the office or at home? Can you REMOVE WASTE at your PLACE?
A Lean Journey 
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