Whether you believe in Feng Shui or not, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that clutter and mess do not make for a productive life!
When it comes to your work life, having a desk or general environment that is free from mess and clutter can improve your work productivity ten-fold, whilst also being much better for your overall health and wellbeing. We’re not suggesting you should go paper-less and be allergic to the slightest out of place paperclip, but having a sleek, well-run, and effective workspace is vital for a successful business.
If you’re still not convinced, and you’re stuck in your messy ways, let’s check out why having a clutter-free work environment is hugely beneficial.
Clutter is Generally Stressful
It is difficult to be calm and at one with work when you are surrounded by mess and you can’t find what you’re looking for. Some people work well in a little clutter, but generally speaking, this is a huge barrier to effectiveness and efficiency in the workplace.
When you walk into work first thing in the morning, and you gaze upon a messy desk, it is likely that you will feel ‘bogged down’ and unsure of where to move first. This isn’t a good start to the day and can actually slow down your productiveness to a large degree. Having an office table that is clear of mess will allow you to focus your mind on the day and task at hand from the get-go.
Tidy Equals Professional
There are visitors to offices, just as there are visitors to reception areas, and if they walk in and see an unkempt mess, they are not likely to have the most professional first impression of your company. The reception area should be free of mess, clean, tidy, and reception furniture should be comfortable and in-keeping with the theme of the organisation. First impressions are everything.
In terms of the office itself, having a sleek and tidy space boosts mood and makes you feel more professional, which in turn is going to push you reach your targets and potential. There are many furniture solutions on hand, and Calibre Office Furniture & Interiors Ltd has a huge range to choose from, so check them out and see how you can transform your space.
Tidy Is Impressive To Your Manager
As a single employee, you need to show your manager that you are more than capable of the task at hand, and that isn’t just though the work you do, it’s about how you present yourself too. Of course, you’re going to look tidy and sleek in your personal appearance, but what about your work appearance? A messy desk does not look professional, as we just explored, but this isn’t just about visitors to the office, but about your boss too. When it comes to who gets a promotion over who, it could be as simple as being down to show looks like they work the most professionally.
Tidy Means More Efficient
You will easily be able to find what you’re looking for if your office desks are tidy and clutter-free. This means you’re not spending time looking for things, when you could easily have placed your hand upon them if your desk was tidier. You won’t be losing important documents, because they’re hidden below a pile of other paperwork and post it notes. Basically, tidy means efficient, and efficient means good business.
Clutter-Free Means Less Distractions
Have you ever tried to be comfortable and free in your home when it was a mess and really needed cleaning? It probably didn’t work. There would have been a nagging voice in your ear telling you that you really ought to tidy up. The same thing happens at work, and it distracts you from your day to day tasks. Having a sleek glass desk, which is free of mess, looks the part, and is regularly cleaned, will make you feel more inclined to work, over a messy old wooden table, which is full of junk you no longer need.
Your Health is at Stake!
You probably don’t even want to think about what is dwelling within your computer keyboard. Do you ever eat your lunch at your desk? Snack mid-afternoon? Have you ever thought about where those crumbs and remnants of food go? Yes, they go into your keyboard, where they colonise with random bacteria and sit there, waiting to give you the flu or some other random virus!
Even if you don’t eat at your desk, perhaps you’re not allowed in your organisation, have you recently had a cold? A stomach bug? Some other illness? Unless you literally sterilise your hands on a regular basis, there are bound to be remnants of germs on your keyboard, your computer mouse, your desk, your chair, your telephone. Your desk is basically a hot bed of bacteria, which needs to be cleaned on a very regular basis.
This ties in with clutter and mess, because having a clutter-free work environment, e.g. desk, means that you’re cleaning regularly, and wiping over with an antibacterial wipe is a great way forward. To encourage regular cleaning, many offices choose white office furniture, because they will show the dirt, and therefore require cleaning more regularly = cleaner and healthier environment! It is certainly a little reverse psychology but it definitely works.
These are the main benefits of ensuring that you have a clutter-free and clean work environment. It goes far beyond being able to find a piece of paper that you’ve been frantically searching for over the last hour, and it extends towards your focus, concentration, and even your health. Professionalism is vital in this day and age, and a messy desk does not tick that box in the slightest.
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Professional Cleaning
It’s great to be proactive with keeping a tidy work place, as it has been pointed out, there are a range of benefits to gain by maintaining a tidy office. However, there is only so much you can keep on top of. When it comes to thorough cleaning, it can be difficult to achieve the best results by yourselves. This is why hiring a professional commercial cleaning company can be a great way to keep your office healthy, tidy and gleaming! Although this is something you may not prioritise whilst you are busy at work, professional office cleaning can really encourage employees to be productive, boost morale in general and keep everyone healthy. If your work place needs some extra TLC, contract cleaning can also offer more specific cleaning services, whether it is a small or large business. If you haven’t considered the benefits of professional cleaning services before, it could be the perfect time to start!
All it takes is a little cleaning, a little organisation, and your workspace will help you reach your targets and complete your to do list at the end of every day.