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Imagine a fabulous looking desk! Consider these reasons why to have one.
In the September 2004 Fast Company magazine, it was reported that "48% of American executives admit to having a messy desk, but claim to know where everything is. In contrast, 12% say that although their desk appears organized, they have no idea where to find anything." May I just say that the first 48% are delusional and the last 12% are telling the truth.
In the other articles, I've presented the idea of what a desk is and what is not. Here are the reasons to make the time to set up and then maintain a clean, orderly desk and workspace.
- You can get work done (and isn't that what a desk is for...to get work done?!)
- You are less distracted and can focus on whatever deserves your focus. If you are working on one project and your eyes are drawn to 2, 4, 6, 8, 20, 60 other projects, all of which are scattered around your work space...then you aren't going to be able to focus and accomplish what you need to.
- Others perceive you as "taking care of business ." Being the stereotypic absent-minded professor is not attractive. It's not to be strived for. Students, colleagues, and other citizens expect you to 'take care of business,' which in a teacher's case is taking care of the teaching, planning, research, and service that you are dedicated to do. If it looks like your classroom or desk is a place of mayhem...well, then the perception is not good.
- You can find what you're working on. Why in the world, when your time is so precious, would you want to waste time looking for documents, folders, forms, etc. that you are working on?
- Your peace of mind increases. 'Nuf said?
- Clutter creates chaos and you don't want a desk that says you are in chaos. Spending time in chaos detracts rather than enhances your overall productivity, peace, and contribution.
- An orderly desk is easier to keep clean (physically) when you don't have to clean around piles and messes. A little Windex or Simple Green is nice to do some quick cleaning and freshening...but if there are no open surfaces, you can't do the cleaning that make your workspace pleasant and clean.
- You won't have to apologize for your workspace. (This is a big one, folks!) Unfortunately, some people don't have the good sense to apologize, but for those of us who know that having a horrendous workspace is not something that others should be subjected to...we can be relieved not to have to apologize.
- The likelihood of things getting lost or buried decreases dramatically. How frustrating is it to find something that you wanted...but finding it weeks or months after you wanted it? Very.
- When you walk into your classroom and the desk is neat, clean, and orderly, you feel great! Woo-hoo! Imagine that!
I have worked in the offices of professors and college/university administrators to transform their office from mayhem to manageable. As a result of this process, these professionals moved from having scary desks and overall workspaces, to having orderly and productive desks and workspaces. When this happens, I hear a mixture of the ten reasons in this article, but I always hear the last one....so keep that positive feeling in mind as your reason and your goal for keeping a clean, orderly desk.
Keep moving forward on your goals for more peaceful productivity. Join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin's weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following websites):
**Top Ten Productivity Tips
**Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay
(c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Ph.D. of Productivity"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!
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