Workspace Warmup

Does a disorganized or messy desk cause you to lose time during the day, either because you have to search for things or due to stress that distracts you from being productive? I find that a messy work area stresses me out, which definitely negatively impacts my productivity. Just arriving at work to a desk that has no order can be overwhelming and make it hard to get focused on what tasks need to be done that day. It is so much easier to get right into my todo list in the mornings if I come in to a clean and organized workspace. Of course, over the course of a day, paper and accoutrements clutter up my desk, but that doesn’t mean I have to leave it that way when my work day ends.

Each day before you leave your work area, take just a few minutes to put everything away. Get a couple of in/out boxes or file folders so that everything you work on regularly has a specific place to go, so it is quick to find things when you need them again the next day.

If you prefer to keep your current projects out on your desk, make sure they are stacked or arranged neatly, so that you feel like you have a fresh start when you arrive the next morning. Having a mental reset each day will not only help you get to work without extra distractions, but it will also give you a fresh perspective on whatever task you pick up.

How do you like to keep your workspace organized?