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Last updated on April 8th, 2022 at 10:51 pm
Every 2nd Monday of January is National Clean Off Your Desk Day. I’m not making this up. I kinda laughed when I saw this obviously made-up holiday, then I realized it’s not a bad idea. My desk is as cramped as could be, so any extra papers or things (like my child’s toys) drive me crazy.
My day job requires a huge monitor that connects to a laptop. Both of these things sit on my desk, as well as my personal laptop. You can see the chaos in the picture below.
Please send help.
Until we break down and buy a second desk, I’m focusing on keeping the clutter off the top of the desk. This means paying or scheduling bills right away, filing papers, and putting reference items away as soon as I’m done with them. I have to keep up on office decluttering or I’m a hot mess when it comes to work.
Some people are just fine working in clutter. Others, like me, are not.
In honor of National Clean Off Your Desk Day (and every other day of the year), I’ll give you 5 reasons why you should participate and clean off your desk today too.
01. Focus
Personally, I can’t focus when I’m surrounded by a mess. Something about the vibe of the room throws me. Marie Kondo talks about clutter and focus in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. She discusses the relief one feels once everything is tidied up and how concentration can return when tidying is completed.
Sometimes you end up thinking about all the other things you have to do rather than the task at hand when you’re surrounded by piles of things to do.
Use this Paper Organizing Cheat Sheet to clear those paper piles >>>
02. Reduce stress
Speaking of all those piles of things you have to do that are on your desk, doesn’t that stress you out? By tidying and organizing, your stress levels won’t be quite as bad. In fact it might…
03. Boost productivity
This was another one discussed in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. When there’s clutter everywhere your productivity decreases since you end up putting off your task to clean up. (At least that’s what happens to me.)
If you’re getting into getting stuff off your desk, you might get motivated to do more on your to-do list just to clear the clutter.
04. Save time
How many times have you been searching your desk for something? I did this on Black Friday looking for a coupon I swore I had. (I found it after I made the purchase hidden under a pile of mail, papers, and books. *forehead smack*)
How much time did I spend searching for that stupid cardboard? Probably more than I should have. I’m not the only one who does this.
Use this paper organizing method to stop losing your papers >>>
05. Increase creativity
Okay, I’ve seen conflicting reports on this one. Some say clutter induces creative thinking. I honestly think it depends on the person in question. For me, I have an easier time coming up with ideas in a clean space. My mind is free to create, unhindered by thoughts of all these things I need to do.
…
Cleaning off your desk can:
- Increase your focus
- Reduce stress
- Boost productivity
- Save time
- Increase productivity
Now imagine what could happen if you declutter your office using this office decluttering list or if you used this guide to organize your entire home office.
Great post! Having a clean desk really does clear my mind. It is like uncluttering your brain too. I gain so much more focus and feel more relaxed. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Such a great idea! I recently did this and definitely am more productive now!
January and February are all about decluttering for me. After the holidays, I need it and its winter so were stuck indoors a lot anyway!