Who doesn’t occasionally struggle with productivity at work? New tasks are always piling up and the desk becomes a confusing mess. Eventually, you’re drowning in clutter and can’t focus on your work. Don’t worry – we can help you boost your productivity and revive that untidy office.
1) Get Rid of Mental Clutter
A healthy mind and body is the foundation to being productive on the job. Take note of general health advice – eating properly, getting enough sleep, staying active – and adjust to a balanced lifestyle that you can manage long-term. The benefits of increased energy and focus will help sustain productivity during the workday. You’ll also likely find it’s easier to recover from the effects of mental strain and busy schedules.
Occupational stress is a productivity killer. Tons of information is available on the subject, such as Professor Renata Schoeman’s post from Stellenbosch Business School. Expert opinion suggests that many South Africans may struggle to cope with the pressure of their work environments. It’s also usually difficult to maintain a positive work-life balance.
Excessive stress can have serious effects on your overall health and will curb your ability to perform at work. So, try to add an enjoyable activity into your routine for combating stress and creating a balance between work and personal life. An outdoor walk is one of many low-effort remedies that you can try.
2) Organise Your Office Like a Pro
Tidying up a room is more than simply shoving items in a drawer. Consider how much space you have to work with and what you can store out of sight. If you’re stuck, social media has an endless supply of advice. The Abby Organizes blog has a thorough list of ideas for maximising productivity in your office. It’s recommended that you keep desktop items to a minimum, for example. This creates a larger space to work, with less distracting clutter.
Incorporating storage units is the easiest way to break down clutter into manageable pieces. Your space will feel tidier and you can organise in stages when you have available time. Rather than dealing with a whole room of items at once, quick bursts of re-organising can be done between important tasks.
Incorporating colours is also a great way to encourage you to keep the office neat and organised. Vibrant storage units, bins or desk organisers will keep the room clutter-free, while adding some of your own character. As a result, you’ll have a more relaxing and pleasant space to work. If you want to go the extra mile, you can add personal decorations like photos or plants. Be careful, though – too many extra items will divert your attention.
3) Establish Productive Habits
In order to stay productive, you might want to keep your office from getting too untidy to fulfill its purpose. It’s not ideal to be stuck re-organising at the wrong time because you’re unable to focus or find what you need.
Taking a preventative approach needs a bit of time; however, in the long run, the space will stay functional and neat. You’ll also get breaks between working sessions, which will lower stress and allow you to recharge. A few minutes before the end of your shift, around your lunch break or simply between tasks are all good options for quickly tidying up. This method is easier if you use storage to sort all your clutter into groups.
One common organising phrase is, ‘Don’t put it down, put it away’. This means that every item in the room has an assigned place when it’s not used. You then have a practical system for tidying up and you’ll always know where to find what you need.
Lastly, you can research methods for productivity and office tidying that work for you. RAIN Group’s blog has 27 productivity tips that you might find useful. If you’d like to start with something more casual, read Marie Kondo’s productivity tips or a guide to using the KonMari method at work.
We hope these tips will keep your office clutter-free and productive. If you’d like to read more from us, we have some more advice below to improve your experience at work.
Top Tips for Effective Work-Life Balance
Tips for Boosting Your Focus and Dealing with Brain Fog
1. Prof. Renata Schoeman. Stellenbosch Business School. The real costs of burnout in the workplace. 2024. https://www.stellenboschbusiness.ac.za/news/2024-07-01-real-costs-burnout-workplace
2. Abby Lawson. Abby Organizes. 30+ Brilliant Office Organization Ideas that Will Boost Your Productivity. 2022. https://justagirlandherblog.com/office-organization-ideas-boost-productivity/
3. Erica Schultz. RAIN Group Sales Blog. 27 Productivity Tips that Will Change the Way You Live, Work, and Feel [+Infographic]. 2024. https://www.rainsalestraining.com/blog/27-productivity-tips
4. Marie Kondo. Konmari. Marie’s Top 5 Productivity Tips. 2019. https://konmari.com/marie-kondo-productivity-tips/
5. Marie Kondo. Konmari. How to Use the KonMari Method at Work. 2023. https://konmari.com/konmari-at-work/