You may have come across a recent article “What a Messy Desk Says About You” in The New York Times on the debate about clean vs. cluttered desks. Where do you fall on this continuum? I, am a bit messy. This article made me feel a little bit better, because it says people with cluttered desks tend to be more creative in problem solving than those who work with everything in order. However, I still crave a clean desk. Just do. It would be nice not to spill things on important papers sometimes. Just sometimes.
And so, the Step of the Day is: Declutter Your Workspace
You may not even work at a desk; you may hop around when writing or creating. Not a problem. There are a few things to keep in mind when doing a check-in on your workspace:
- Do you have what you need to work readily available and within reach?
- Are you comfortable?
- Is there enough light?
- Is it quiet enough for you?
- Are there distractions on or around your workspace that take your attention away from your work?
Do yourself a favor and take twenty minutes today to pay attention to the quality of your workspace. Do one thing to improve the overall function and feel of the place. Here are some to-do suggestions:
- do a quick sweep and toss anything expired, junk-like, or ugly
- clear the rest of the items off the surface of your workspace to work from a clean slate
- replace only what you will need on a daily basis
- sort the rest of the items into piles using Post-It Notes to keep track of the piles
- designate a location for these items, e.g. file cabinet, trash, mailbox, urgent file
- add a nice light, plant, or piece of artwork to brighten the mood
I also recommend you visit the website and blog of my friend and colleague Diane Lazor Elkins, the host of Positive Workspace. Her website is a trove of useful information on productivity, simplicity, and organization, and her words are always wise. Get inspired and enjoy your weekend!
