Tidying up your desk not only will make you look busy, it
also has real workplace benefits. Career experts offer six reasons why cleaning
your desk is a no-brainer when it comes to creating an organized workspace.
It makes you
look more professional
Having a
tidy desk projects an image of competence. We've all seen that co-worker's desk
scattered with dirty coffee cups, food scraps, and mounds of clutter.
A
professional person takes pride in his or her appearance, whether it's your
outfit or your desk. Try to look at your desk from an outsider’s perspective
and think about what it says about you.
It increases
your efficiency
Knowing
where things are keeps you on top of your game. People who pile paperwork often
obscure items underneath the stacks, resulting in wasted time trying to find
what they are looking for.
Filing
things where they belong creates less surface clutter—and ensures you know
where they’re at when you need them.
It gives you
room to work
Many
projects require dealing with multiple items, such as your calendar, phone, reports,
books, studies and so on. Even in
the digital age, much of our work is conducted through or with physical
supplies. A functional desk will have
clear space where these items can be spread out and referenced.
Disorganized
employees may even take over common spaces, such as a table in a conference
room, because their desks are so cluttered.
It keeps
sensitive information safe
If you are
dealing with sensitive information, leaving it sitting around on your desk can
put you or your company at risk. Stacks of visible papers cause privacy
concerns in many industries.
It keeps you
on task
It’s
difficult to prioritize your projects if you’re not organized. A messy desk is
overwhelming and doesn’t tell you where
to start.
It keeps
your supplies in one place
Any
interruption can throw you off your game, and if you’re always getting up to
find something you need, it’s difficult to concentrate on your projects.
Cleaning
house
Sometimes
the clutter on your desk isn't the only thing at work that needs to be
reorganized or even discarded.
Maybe it's time to spring clean your job and
find something new.
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