An adage goes that your space reflects your state of mind. Thus, a clean workspace means you are constructive and productive. On the other hand, hoarding and disorganization causes extreme anxiety during decision making according to Psychology Today.
Regardless of the size of your business, it is essential to have a neat and organized workspace. It does not only help refresh your mind, a clean office can also improve your productivity.
Here are five ways an organized workspace equates to productive employees:
Makes happier employees
Generally speaking, employees treat their office as their second home. After all, an employee spends eight hours in an office.
That said, you should make an effort to clean and organize your workspace, much like how you treat your home. Doing so can help you do your job regularly.
That’s because a clean work desk means zero distraction. It also eliminates the time it takes for you to rummage through a cluttered desk just to look for an important document or a paperclip.
In an infographic shared on Insights for Professionals, it stated that “a lot of time can be squandered when searching for documents in a messy workspace. In cleaner, well-organized offices, paperwork can be tracked down easily and quickly.”
Simply put, a clean office means more time to get things done. That’s why you will feel more productive and happy at work.
Boosts creativity
Some employees would argue that the mess on their desk can help them think and be creative. However, too much clutter can be detrimental to clear, creative thinking.
So how can you compromise order and chaos on an office table?
- Put office documents that do not need immediate attention in a “later” basket.
- When working, only allow papers and stuff that you use daily to be on your desk. Put the rest away.
- Get into the habit of emptying your later basket and cleaning your office table before leaving.
Taking the time to declutter your office space can help you organize your thoughts. Not to mention that your next big idea might be sitting under the pile of documents!
As Donna Smallin Kuper puts it, “When it comes to boosting creativity in the workplace, the right office environment may generate more ‘Aha!’ moments and happier days.”
Improves focus on work
In a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, 103 student participants were directed to sit in a room with a clean workspace and or in a cluttered room. They have moved to a separate room afterward and were asked to work on an unsolvable geometry puzzle.
The Result: Those who sat in a clean workspace spent 1,117 seconds on the task, while the other group only spent 669.
What does this experiment mean? It means that solving tasks gets easier when you have a clean office. That’s because a clean environment gives you a “sense of personal control.” Not to mention that a clean space makes it easy for you to focus on the matter at hand.
On the other hand, you have a short persistence when you have a cluttered space. That’s because a messy environment threatens your sense of personal control. A cluttered office has a lot of distraction, making it difficult for you to focus on your work.
Reduces stress
According to a research from San Francisco State University, people who spent money on an experience rather than physical possessions are happier.
As Ilya Pozin puts it, “The thrill of purchasing things fades quickly but the joy and memories of an experience, from epic adventures to minute encounters, can last a lifetime.”
In fact, a Havas Worldwide study reveals that 50% of people could live a happy life without most of their possessions. Meanwhile, the more items they have, the more anxious they get.
Case in point, when you have too much in your office, the more anxious you become and less you can focus on work. Chaos and clutter will creep in and magnify the negative emotions you are already dealing with.
One of the best ways to combat anxiety is by decluttering. Remember: You can be happy, even with less material possessions.
Maximizes employee’s working time
Messy office space is one of the culprits of unproductivity. That’s because a disorganized environment leads to more distractions and more time spent on rummaging through piles of clutter.
Common sense tells us that a clean office makes an employee focus better on his tasks. A clean and organized office leads to fewer distractions since there are no cluttered objects to look at. This increased concentration can lead to more and better work. As a result, he becomes productive.
On the other hand, searching for documents on a messy office table is a major waste of time. The time you spent on looking for a document could have been time better spent on checking off one item on your to-do list.
When your desk is organized, it means paperwork is easy to find and you can concentrate on the more important things.
Keeps a healthy workspace
As mentioned earlier, the messy your environment is the more stressed you are. According to Mayo Clinic, “Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.”
But other than stress, clutter in the office leads to the accumulation of bacteria. In fact, an office keyboard is a home to about 7,500 bacteria. Imagine what it can do to your health!
When your health is compromised, it can lead to numerous sick leaves and more absenteeism. This can have an adverse effect on the overall productivity of the company, as well as its bottom line.
Thus, getting into the habit of cleaning and decluttering your office space is one of the best ways to ensure your health.
Improves motivation
Whether you admit it or not, you spend most days of the week awake in the office rather than at home. Thus, it is important to maintain a standard of cleanliness in your workspace.
According to MaidSailor, a Commercial Cleaning New York company, “Whether you run a small business or are part of a large company, ensuring that your offices are kept clean and tidy helps create a positive first impression and improves employee morale and work ethic.”
When an employee has an increase in morale, he becomes more motivated. And when he is motivated, he becomes productive.
Remember, no one would like to work in a cluttered environment, even if that person says clutter helps with his creative thinking. Thus, encourage your employees to clean their work desk, and supplement it by hiring professional office cleaners.
A cluttered office causes stress, makes you feel burned out, and it reduces your ability to concentrate. On the other hand, a clean office can help clear your mind and increase your productivity. So, if you like your business to be running smoothly, start with making it a habit to clean your office.
Author Bio
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, the leading commercial cleaning New York company. Maid Sailors take pride in providing outstanding office cleaning services at affordable prices. Maid Sailors helps workplaces transform into spotless places.
