The Importance Of DeclutteringYour Desk/Workspace

As people return to their places of work after the Christmas and New Year break, they will invariably find that their workspace is just how they left it. Whether your place of work is office based or home based, you will no doubt have a desk or table or some kind of working area.

A New Year has just dawned and hopefully you are full of fresh ideas and hopes and aspirations and what better place to start implementing these by the space right in front of you!

In order to have a decluttered mind which will enable you to think clearly and act proactively you must have a clear work space which is free from unnecessary clutter.

Imagine a desk full of old receipts, invoices, forms, reminders, notes, old post it notes, a couple of broken pens, carrier bags, sweet wrappers and biscuit crumbs - not to mention dirty coffee cups and a stained desk and an assortment of tangled computer wires!

Now imagine a clean and fresh desk which is free of any rubbish. There may be a few tidy piles of neatly stacked papers which you have carefully placed in order of priority and importance. Drawers are clean and organised and there may be a potted plant placed upon the desk for aesthetic purposes. A carefully chosen calendar acts as a reminder for any important dates and deadlines so you can not forget or overlook anything even in the busiest of times. Pens, highlighters and a notebook are readily accessible and your computer and phone are gleaming and tangle free.

You are much more likely to work to your best potential if you have a method of organisation and you know where everything is. You will certainly not have to waste time wondering where something is or if you still have a much needed document if you already have your own efficient filing method in place. Searching for items can be so time consuming as well as having the capacity to dramatically increase stress levels.

So, take an hour out of your morning or afternoon to spring clean your work space and dispose of any unnecessary clutter and you will feel so much more mentally energised and able to cope with the stresses that work can bring. You will feel mentally and physically  healthier too with a germ free and clean workspace.

Lastly, if your workspace or desk is at times a space for clients and other colleagues to visit, be especially mindful of the impression you will be making which could have repercussions. First impressions do count and reflect ultimately on your company and its values.