Some folks feel that a little messiness can inspire creativity. This may be true, but where’s the line between messy and chaotic? It can be hard to tell. If your work space is covered in papers and your file folders are strewn everywhere, there’s a good chance your productivity and creativity are being impacted. What you might not realize is that all of this can result in more stress and a flustered mindset. The key is figuring out how to corral the clutter so that you can work more efficiently in an environment that energizes you.
Your Messy Work Space
Your work space says a lot about you. Anyone who sees your workspace will form an opinion of you. It’s human nature to make judgments. Something you may not have considered is the way the piles and mess strewn on your work space create an impression. And what about how you feel when you work there? Such visual clutter impacts your concentration, your mood, and your productivity in a negative manner.
Downsides of a Messy Work Space
When your work space is cluttered, you waste time searching for things you need in order to complete a task. This could be hours each week. Along with this lost productivity comes the stress of not being able to find what you need. It can take a toll on your mental state and even affect your creativity and critical thinking. Visual clutter also zaps your energy. You feel overwhelmed simply by being surrounded by the mess on a daily basis. This feeling of being inundated can also take away your motivation, lessening your productivity. A clean work space allows your eye to flow, making you feel more energized. It will boost productivity when you’re able to find what you need and make fewer mistakes. Increased productivity is a catalyst that leads to getting even more done. This type of success feeds on itself.
Ways to Clear the Clutter
Cleaning up the mess will take some effort, but could be made a little easier with some planning on how best to store paperwork within the space you have. Be brutal by getting rid of everything you don’t need. Put necessary papers in a clearly defined space and clearly label. Avoid placing items on surrounding furniture such as chairs or cabinets. Once you’ve cleared away the clutter, keep it neat by reducing your paper intake. Use email and other electronic methods such as scanning documents whenever possible. Do a sweep of your work space and the end of the day, putting things away and clearing surfaces. Try not to create piles in the first place by setting up labeled baskets or other storage systems for important papers and things you need to look through later.
Don’t let a messy work space be your undoing. A few simple steps will help keep your workspace tidy and improve your productivity, not to mention improving your mental outlook.