Want to get more done by an average of 60 minutes every day?
Getting organized at work and maintaining peak efficiency is what every worker aspires to. After all, better organisation leads to:
- Less stress
- Greater productivity
- More time for the important things
The problem is:
Many of us fail to recognize how our messy working space is actually holding us back. To be great at getting organized at work you need some fail-proof systems that actually work.
If you’re not organised, you’re spinning your wheels:
Statistics reveal that 77% of employees think their workspace has a significant effect on their ability to work collaboratively with others.
The secret to consistent productivity is the right tools and systems. Invest in stylish planners for professionals to transform the way you structure your day and stay on top of critical tasks.
Let’s jump into the science-backed techniques that work every time!
What you’ll discover:
- Why getting organized at work is actually essential
- The true cost of clutter on your brain
- 5 Proven organisation hacks
- The art of digital decluttering
- Building systems that you’ll actually use
Why Getting organized at work is actually essential?
Here’s something that most people don’t realize…
Your messy desk is doing more than making you look bad. Studies at Princeton University’s Neuroscience Institute found that cluttered offices compete with us for our attention and limit our brain’s processing capacity.
Research proves it too:
A study shows that 48% of workers report feeling productive less than three-quarters of the time. Even more concerning is the fact that 18% of employees claim to be productive for less than half of the time they are at work.
The good news is that organisation directly influences your productivity. Reports indicate that there is a 50% increase in the number of employees that are more likely to engage in effective teamwork at companies that are organized.
Return On Investment
The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) found paper clutter costs businesses the equivalent of 10% of a manager’s salary in wasted productivity.
Think of all that money lost that can be regained simply by implementing some systems.
The true cost of clutter on your brain
Let me share a secret with you…
Messy workspaces don’t just slow you down – they alter your brain. DePaul University’s research found a direct correlation between office clutter and emotional exhaustion and stress.
Visual clutter overstimulates your brain’s processing capabilities. Your brain is forced to work overtime just to filter out unnecessary visual and mental stimuli, leaving less mental capacity for the things that really matter.
Stress Factor
Studies have proven the direct correlation between a cluttered workspace and emotional exhaustion, stress, lower job satisfaction, and a diminished ability to focus.
A vicious cycle is created where stressed-out employees are more likely to make mistakes, which in turn creates more clutter.
5 Proven organization hacks
Are you ready to get your workspace in shape? Try these systems and see for yourself how they work.
Hack #1: The 80% rule
Make it a rule to keep your desk so that at least 80% of the surface area is visible at any given time. By following this simple rule, you’ll wake up every morning and look forward to going to work because your desk stress will be minimized and your productivity will be increased.
Put all the non-essential stuff into drawers or containers that are easily accessible. Your productivity will literally double.
Hack #2: Information management system
Getting organized at work requires implementing an information management system that goes beyond simple filing. This complete system must organize information from all sources, including emails, text messages, physical and electronic files, and more.
If information is not filed away in an organized way, it cannot be profitably used, archived or discarded.
Hack #3: Color-coded filing
It is good to use a color-coding system for your filing:
- Green folders for new projects
- Red folders for urgent matters
- Yellow folders for reference materials
This allows you to visually see what you need in a matter of seconds and not minutes.
Hack #4: One-touch rule
Always practice the one-touch rule where information should only be handled once. When a piece of paper comes into your hands, or an email is opened, you must make a decision on what to do with it:
- Deal with it right now
- Schedule a time to deal with it later
- File it away for reference
- Throw it away or delete it
This way you avoid piling up information and “decision piles.”
Hack #5: Daily reset ritual
Set 10 minutes at the end of your workday to reset and organize your space for the next day. This will allow you to start the next day fresh and not have clutter build up over time.
The art of digital decluttering
Physical clutter is not the only problem – digital mess can be just as disruptive.
McKinsey research shows that the average employee spends 28% of their workweek just managing emails. That is over one full day per week wasted on digital disorganization.
Email hacks
Schedule time to check your emails instead of constantly monitoring your inbox. Research reveals that it takes over 23 minutes to refocus after an email interruption.
Desktop organization
Keep your computer desktop as clutter-free as your physical desk. Create digital folders with simple naming conventions and limit desktop items to active projects only.
Digital tools
Consolidate your digital tools and platforms. The more tools and applications you use, the more fractured your attention span becomes.
Building systems that you’ll actually use
Do you know the secret to building organisation habits that actually stick?
Start small and be consistent. You don’t have to make overhauls of your entire workspace in one day – that is a sure way to give up. Instead, focus on one area and build habits.
Keep it simple
The best system is the one you are going to use. Keep systems easy and intuitive.
Automate
Use technology to automate. Set up automated filing rules and digital workflows to minimize manual effort.
Review
Schedule time each week to review what is working and what isn’t. Adapt your systems based on real-life usage, not theoretical ideals.
Wrapping it all up
The key to getting organized at work is having systems that support productivity and reduce stress.
Science shows that organized workspaces are more focused, less stressed and more productive. By adopting some of these proven organisational techniques, you are not just cleaning up – you are investing in your career success.
The important thing is to start in one place and keep building. Whether it’s the 80% rule, information management system, or digital decluttering, the little changes will start compounding into significant progress.
Remember – organisation is a skill that anyone can learn and develop with practice and consistency.
