Einstein asked: “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” Research has shown that a cluttered or messy desk is associated with creativity, but there are surprising benefits to decluttering your workspace, and a neat desk is easier to achieve than you might imagine.

It’s a very human thing to hold onto old, meaningful items, but getting rid of these things may say more about you than holding onto them. Here are some benefits of taking the time to clean up your workspace:

  • It reminds you of how far you’ve come. Your old references, notes, books, and other clutter can serve to remind you every day of the person you were when you needed them. Throwing old things away helps to give you a fresh start.
  • It’s a creative way to procrastinate. Despite the fact that the word ‘procrastinate’ has negative connotations, taking time away from a task by using 5 or 10 minutes to declutter your work area can actually be good for you. It takes your mind off the task, focuses your attention elsewhere, and gives your subconscious a chance to work on the problem.
  • It can remind you of what’s important. Aside from throwing away what you no longer need, you may find that you rediscover things that were once important to you. If you started your job with enthusiasm and excitement, you probably jotted down many ideas that you could use now to reignite your passion for your job. Decluttering can help you find those sparks of brilliance.
  • It can improve the image that others have of you. Research has shown that co-workers judge each other based on the tidiness of their desks. Decluttering can help you to appear more in control and less sloppy. How to declutter Here are some easy and useful tips for decluttering your desk and the workspace around you:
  • File it. In an increasingly paperless world, it can be useful to scan and file all the paper you have littered around your workspace. If that’s not possible, file them away in some kind of logical order.
  • Throw it away. If you have any doubt that you’ll need something again, recycle it or throw it away. You’d be surprised how much you’re keeping on the chance that you might need it someday.
  • Don’t let it pile up again. The first time you declutter, it might be a big job. But thereafter, if you spend just one minute a day clearing something away, it’ll never be a big job again.

A messy desk might be a sign of creativity, but a workspace that is optimised to allow you and your colleagues to work more efficiently is one that isn’t cluttered.

Written by LifeAssist