Here is a mindful and minimal habit we can all manage and practice each and every day.  The desk upon which you work (for often many hours per day) can be your new practice for calm and clarity.

The advantages of a clear desk habit are an improvement in your wellbeing and its contribution to better performance:

More focus with Less Distraction:  As if your work life isn’t filled with enough demands and distractions! All that stationary on your table and paper scattered about will eat your focus. Make it a habit to work on one thing at a time.  This single focus will improve the quality of what really matters in your work role.  Multitasking brings stress, poorer quality and should only be utilised as a strategy for tasks of lesser importance.

Freedom through Greater Clarity: A clear, minimal desk gives you back control of your tasks. Spend the first few moments of your morning deciding which 3 things you will complete above all else, basing them on what will make the most positive impact on your business.  Get the tasks you deliberately procrastinate over done first to bring a sense of freedom to the rest of your day.

A Fresh Start Everyday: Start every day afresh.  Ensure you have tidied your desk completely before you have left it the previous day.  If you neglected to do so, make it the very first task before beginning your new workday.  Clear means, completely clear of everything except maybe your laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse and desk light.  If you like, choose only one item to personalise your desk, whether it be a photo or decoration.  You can always cycle it.  One item has more of an impact visually than it being lost amongst several.

7 Ways to a Perfect Desk:

1.         Less Stationary and More Relevancy:  Get rid of duplicate items.  Make use of a four-coloured pen or multi-pen with a pencil.  One stapler, hole-punch, ruler etc. is enough.  Anything more than what you absolutely need every day is unnecessary and everything you possess should be functional and relevant to your job.

2.         More Effective Drawers:  No pen, stationary, and inbox on your desktop!  Keep them in your desk drawers.  Make sure that this stationary drawer is only a third full.  This makes it easier to see what you have and therefore immediately accessible.  Put these items back in the drawer immediately after use and at break times.  It also stops them being borrowed without your knowledge!

3.          Project Files:  Keep a digital file and physical file of each project/topic and only allow one physical file on your desk or digital desktop at a time.  When you are not working on it, put it in your filing cabinet, digital documents or in one of your desk drawers and only bring it out when you are ready to focus on that task alone again.  A minimal desk which contains one task at a time improves the quality and efficiency of your work.  When you have a number of unfinished tasks cluttering your desk, you will experience overwhelm rather than motivation.

4.         Digital Storage and Searching Power:  Make use of the power of modern technology.  Use Cloud storage and store your digital files clearly in designated folders.  Name your digital files in a memorable way to make it quick and easy to search for them without wading through all your documents.  Here is an example of how you might do it; start with the Subject/Topic, memorable title and date if you need it, writing it all in one unique phrase:

AdvertisingGetItDoneCampaign20210225.doc or 20200619DisneylandMinnieMickeyDancing.jpg

The reason for the date is that if you have updated versions you don’t want to confuse them with earlier documents, particularly when you are working across many digital platforms.

5.         Focus on a Single Task:  Digital work has become very freeing compared to paperwork.  Communications are quick and easy, and producing professional documents has been a great equaliser for the population at large.  The problem is the number of apps we use can become visual clutter.  Many a time I have walked past people’s devices where they have several apps and tabs open at a time.  A laptop or desktop may be a powerhouse in its ability to multitask, but we as humans are not.  Our evolution is 99.9% slower than current technology.  For thousands of years until recently, our ancestors typically focused on one job at a time.  This is how we produce better quality.  The multi-tasking myth comes from comparisons of humans to technology.

6.         Concentration and Motivation:  Studies in concentration, ergonomics and physical health suggest that working a desk should be 20 minutes in length and that a short 1 to 5-minute physical break should be taken between thee 20-minute blocks.  Our concentration span, just like that of a child, is only around 20 minutes in length before we need that short break or change our activity.  Of course, concentration varies depending on our level of focus and interest at the time.  Studies have also shown that too much visual clutter and stimulation shortens our concentration span and tires our mind.  Even more reason to keep your desk clear.

7.          A Sense that Your Day’s Work is Done:  At the end of the day, create a feeling of closure by tidying your desk before you leave.  Put the paperwork of your current project, any stationary or other items back in their physical drawers.  Make sure your computer desktop is tidy as well.  Sort those loose digital files by naming them properly and dragging them into their correct folders.  By figuratively closing shop (your desk) you are also clearing your mind of work you would usually mentally take home with you.  If your last impression of your desk is a mess as you leave, it literally reminds you of how much you still have to get done.

Enjoy your newfound minimal desk life!

For an inspiring change to living a minimalist life, please read my book, “Mindful Minimalism” available here.