Spring is here! The birds are chirping, flowers are flowering … and your workspace needs a good cleaning. Whether your desk is in a corporate office, cubicle, home office, or corner of the dining room table, an uncluttered, organized, and clean workspace will help you work more efficiently. Working in an organized space can often help us de-stress and better focus on our projects.
The Connection Between Cleanliness and Productivity
A clean and organized workspace can lead to increased productivity and efficiency. When your desk is clutter-free, you can find what you need more quickly, reducing time wasted searching for misplaced items. This efficiency translates into a greater ability to tackle tasks and meet deadlines.
Moreover, a tidy workspace can also have a positive effect on your mental state. Research suggests that visual clutter competes for our attention, leading to decreased cognitive function and increased stress levels. By decluttering your desk, you create a calmer environment that allows you to focus more effectively on the task at hand.
Brother UK conducted a survey about the effect of a messy desk and performance. It found:
- 41 percent of participants believed a tidy workspace makes them more productive.
- 21 percent admitted having a cluttered desk seems to increase their workload.
- 20 percent said a colleague’s messy space negatively affected them.
- 1 in 10 bosses said an employee’s messy desk affected their chances of a promotion.
- 73 percent of managers perceive those with an untidy workspace as being disorganized.
- 1 in 5 admitted their untidy workspace resulted in losing an item of financial value.
- 49 percent said a messy workspace affects how they feel about going into work each day.
- 31 percent believe a cluttered workspace increases stress.
Quick Desk Decluttering and Cleaning Tips
Now that you’ve seen the statistics regarding the effect such disarray can have on your work life, it’s time to fix the problem:
- Take everything off your desk – mugs, pens, computer, monitor, desk pad, fan, all that little stuff that seems to come out of nowhere – everything.
- Clean the desk surface with whatever cleaning agent is best for it, remembering the legs and any shelving you may have.
- As you replace items, ask if your desk is the right place for them, or could they live in another space. You may have personal items that have nothing to do with work on your desk. Leave them there if they help you get through the day, but maybe you don’t need all of them in front of you (or maybe you do). It’s YOUR workspace, so organize it in a way that best works for you. We don’t want you to depersonalize your office, if that is your style, just declutter and maintain it to help you stay focused and healthy.
- As you put those items back, clean them. It doesn’t have to be a major production, usually a damp cloth will work. Some electrical gadgets may need other types of cleaning agents. Remember to sanitize the keyboard and mouse.
- Shred, file, scan – whatever you can do to get rid of as much paper clutter as possible. Of course, don’t shred important papers that you will need in the future for your business. If you have business cards, try scanning and saving them to your computer so you can toss the originals. Still have papers from before Christmas on your desk? File them. If they need attention, place them where you will take care of them as soon as you’re done cleaning your desk, then file or toss them.
- Get real about how many office supplies are on your desk. How many pens do you have on your desk? Do they all work? Many of us (cough) have an odd fascination with office supplies and collect pens of all colors, ink weights, and ink types. If you use them, keep them, but perhaps you don’t need them all on your desk at the same time. Getting rid of that huge mug (or two… or three) full of pens, markers, and highlighters will free up a lot of space. Do you have a drawer where most of them can live where they are easy to bring out when you are color-coding or getting creative? If you DO use them all while working, try a better storage system so they take up as little space as possible on your flat surfaces. This applies to all office supplies, like sticky notes, pencils, USB drives, etc.
- Is there more than one planner open on your desk? Lots of people use more than one planner, but they don’t necessarily all need to be on your desk (and open) at the same time. Designate a place for planners to live when not in use. We tend to use our planners more if we see them, so try keeping the one you use the most open while placing the others on a nearby shelf or somewhere you can easily see and grab them.
- Give your office a good vacuum or sweep while you’re at it. Always do this after cleaning your desk so that you don’t get dust and grime on your newly cleaned floor.
- Don’t forget digital decluttering. Take the time to organize your computer desktop, filing documents into folders and deleting unnecessary files. This will not only free up space on your computer, but also make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
- Schedule recurring office clean-up days to keep your working environment efficient and welcoming. You’re more likely to stick to cleaning days if you schedule them like appointments.
Investing time in spring cleaning your desk may seem like a small task, but the benefits can be far-reaching. Not only will you enjoy increased productivity and focus, but you’ll also experience reduced stress levels and a greater sense of well-being. So, as you embark on your spring-cleaning journey this year, don’t forget to give your workspace the attention it deserves. Your future self will thank you for it.
Related Blogs
Help! My Goals Already Seem Overwhelming!
Working From Home: 5 Tips To Help Separate Your Work Life From Your Personal Life
Strategies For Remote Meetings
Resource
“Survey reveals the impact of messy desks.” Brother UK. 2/18/17. Accessed 3/7/24. https://www.brother.co.nz/blog/business/2017/workplace-survey-reveals-the-impact-of-messy-desks
