Maintaining a clean desk isn't just about staying organized and maintaining efficiency. A cluttered, disorganized desk can increase the level of stress you feel on the job. Taking time every so often to reorganize your desk can help you stay happy and healthy at work.
With that in mind, try these work organization tips for a more functional and happier workspace:
Focus on what to keep, not what to throw away
Many people approach organizing by asking themselves "what can I get rid of?" Instead of taking that approach, which focuses on negativity, ask yourself "what should I keep?"
Start by picking out the things that you absolutely need to keep at or around your desk, and decide how your desk should be organized around them. Once you've settled on all the things that you need to keep, the things that you don't need will fall into place and be easier to discard.
Store all items of the same type in the same place
Making a specific place for each type of item at your desk (electronics, notebooks, papers, etc.) and storing all items of that type there is a great way to become more organized and reduce stress.
When there is only one place to look for every type of thing you may need to find at work, your mind will be at rest knowing exactly where to find it. Reorganizing your desk in this way will also give you an opportunity to sort through the things on your desk and decide which ones you actually need to keep.
Limit personal items to those that reflect who you are now
One of the best ways to make a workspace more relaxing and stress-free is to decorate it with personal items and other things that give it your personal touch. However, it's a good idea to go through these items occasionally and remove those that no longer reflect who you are now.
If you're keeping some personal memento or picture at your desk that no longer really reflects what you want to be or what your goals are, keeping it around out of a sense of obligation means that it's doing the exact opposite of what it should. Find new items that make you happy and bring a little joy to your work life, and cycle out the ones that no longer represent who you want to be.
In addition to these helpful tips, Wellsource provides employers and employees with wellness solutions for happier, healthier workplaces. Learn how one employer used a workplace HRA as the measuring stick for their workplace wellness initiatives — and generated over $85,000 in ROI.
