While many of us continue to struggle with managing our overload in electronic information and our overflowing email in-boxes, there lies in a deep corner of your office in a drawer hidden away, a tangled mess of spaghetti cords, software, and manuals. In this electronic world of gadgets, where one upgrade after another has created a mound of unforgotten and deceased peripheral attachments, we have a new type of clutter – the electronic graveyard.

Rather than having your IT person sort through your spaghetti cords (unless you don’t mind the billable hours to do so), I would suggest that you get on top of this pile by following a few pointers:

1. Take user manuals, installation CDs, warranty information and other cords and peripherals from their shipping package.
2. Cluster items using a large zipper bag. Using clear bags will help you see what is inside and easily locate what you are looking for.
3. Include original sales receipts
4. Label the contents of each bag with the date of purchase (for warranty purposes).
5. Label cords & adapters, so you know which device they belong to.

              

Here’s an added bit of fun. If cord management is another cause of headaches, try these creative ideas to sort things out. Recycle your bread ties by using them to label electronic cords. Or you can purchase ready-made cable labels.

Paper towel rolls can help to keep cords to avoid the snakes-nest approach to cord management.

Contact the Out of Chaos team for more ideas on how to manage cables or for hands-on help to manage your electronics clutter.