Having a clean workspace maximizes productivity and improves time management.
Look at the Japanese. Have you noticed how they’re always early for everything?
That’s because they practice minimalism and cleanliness. They wake up with everything arranged, and only buy what they use and need everyday. Their properties and workplaces are so tidy that you won’t even find a single paper clip that’s out of place. Want that? Start now with these simple steps.
1. Use proper storage for everything
Papers go into folders and the folders go into the drawers or shelves. Writing materials go into mugs, pen holders, or pen cases. Paper clips stay in the paper clip box, staplers and staple wires in the top drawers. The key is to arrange office items into proper storage to make your workspace and table look spacious, tidy, and ready for work anytime.
2. Get rid of what you don’t use and keep what’s useful within reach
Throw away those things that you don’t need. A tip for this is when you feel undecided whether to throw something out, put it in a box and when a week has passed without you using that item, time to throw it out for good.
3. Organize cables with cable ties
One of the reasons for a messy table is that cables are being strewn everywhere. Your PC’s VGA/HDMI cable goes in this direction, the power cord goes the other way and it’s a mess. Buy some cable ties and tie together your PC, power, and printer cables in one tidy manner.
4. Transform your workspace into a paperless one
Papers are one of the main reasons for a workspace to end up in a clutter. As much as possible, eliminate all papers and turn them into scanned data. Store them in your offline drive or online cloud. It would be much easier to share and organize. Less paper waste and eco-friendly as well! But if that’s really hard to practice, then…
5. Use a stacked In/Out tray
If the number of papers coming in your workspace are much greater than that of those going out, then use a stacked in/out tray. This will organize your paper mess into things you haven’t read or are still deciding on yet from the ones you should trash. When the stack is too much not to notice, then the time comes to decide whether to sit down and read or to trash the “Out” tray.
6. Keep cleaning materials nearby
Imagine your workspace being in need of immediate cleaning, and you want to clean it as soon as possible but can’t because there are no cleaning materials available. Instead of getting work done, you’ll get distracted and postpone it until the cleaning mission is forgotten. Keep brooms, dusters, and dustpans on the immediate vicinity, behind, or under your desk.
7. Always clean after you’re done
When you call it a day, always look after your mess, so the next time you clock in you’d start immediately. In the long run, the task of cleaning won’t build-up.
8. Hire someone to look after you
When you’re feeling lazy or are busy most days, consider hiring someone else to clean after your mess. Just make sure to instruct them to clean your space in a way that’s familiar or easy for you when you start working the next day.
A clean workspace brings tranquility to a solopreneur’s mind. It makes work easier and saves a lot of time to be done for more important matters!
