Reasons to Have a Clean Desk by Meggin McIntosh, PhD
In the September 2004 Fast Company magazine, it was reported that “48% of American executives admit to having a messy desk, but claim to know where everything is. In contrast, 12% say that although their desk appears organized, they have no idea where to find anything.” May I just say that the first 48% are delusional and the last 12% are telling the truth. Related to the messy desk idea is something that one of my subscribers said to me today on the phone: “Until I recently cleaned my desk and office, I was using the geologic filing method, that is, I knew where things were (sort of) by which strata they were in.”
In the last two weeks, I’ve had you think about what a desk is and what it is not. To close out this little series, here are the reasons to make the time to set up and then maintain a clean, orderly desk and workspace.
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You can get work done (see last week’s list for all the things you can do productively at your desk).
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You are less distracted and can focus on whatever deserves your focus.
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Others perceive you as “taking care of business” (whatever that ‘business’ is).
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You can find what you’re working on.
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Your peace of mind increases.
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Clutter creates chaos and you don’t want a desk that says you are in chaos.
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An orderly desk is easier to keep clean (physically) when you don’t have to clean around piles and messes.
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You won’t have to apologize for your workspace. (This is a big one, folks!)
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The likelihood of things getting lost or buried decreases dramatically.
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When you walk into your office and the desk is neat, clean, and orderly, you feel great!
I have worked in the offices of professors, teachers, administrators, accountants, speakers, and consultants to perform Productivity Power Days. As a result of this process, these professionals moved from having scary desks and overall workspaces, to having orderly, manageable, productive desks and workspaces. When this happens, I hear a mixture of these Top Tens, but I always hear the last one….so keep that positive feeling in mind as your reason and your goal for keeping a clean, orderly desk.
And if you liked these tips you may be interested in the Get a Plan! Guide® to Ridding Your Workspace of Clutter part of the Get a Plan! Guides® series designed to give you the ideas and inspiration to do your work easier, faster, and in a more focused fashion.