My desk has always been my happy place. That might sound strange, but when you’ve spent as many hours as me studying, it pretty much has to be. So, since we’re all working from home at the moment, I thought that there would be no better time than now to share some of my tips and tricks for desk organisation.
Cut the clutter
First things first, clean up. Getting rid of the things you don’t need anymore may seem like an obvious step, but it’s a necessary one in most people’s cases. Things like broken pens, outdated calendars and old post-it notes just never seem to be thrown away, but this is your chance to purge your desk of all the things that are cluttering it up. Clutter is known to contribute to stress, anxiety and guilt, so getting rid of it is a sure-fire way to boost your productivity. As for the things you do need, make sure everything is organised well because let’s face it – you can’t be your most productive self if you spend the better part of an hour trying to find your notes from the last meeting.
Perfect placement
The way you arrange things on your desk can also contribute to your productivity levels. Things that you’re frequently reaching for like your phone, lip ice and tissues etc. should always be placed on your dominant side. It’s also important to embrace the idea of white space – so leave a portion of your desk empty. According to feng shui, the best placement for your desk is facing the door to your office, which is known as a commanding position. If possible, your desk shouldn’t be facing the wall or window, or be directly in line with the door.
Inject inspiration
If you're like most other South Africans who spend an average of 40 hours at their desk per week, you should know that having a workspace you enjoy being in will make you more productive. Adding personal touches through photographs and desk accessories is a great way to do this. Hanging up inspirational quotes can be particularly useful for keeping you motivated during the week and at low points (cue Monday morning). Plants are also fabulous for bringing life an energy to a room – succulents, peace lilies and aloes are some sweet yet low maintenance blooms that are sure to do the trick! PS. Check out my guide on which plants to put where in your house here.
Colour it in
Colours have been proven to have an effect on moods and emotions, meaning that they can evoke both physical and emotional responses. Use this to your advantage by choosing colours that represent what you want to achieve. Blue is most often associated with productivity and supports career success and growth, while green represents serenity and balance. If you’re in need of inspiration, then go for bright colours like oranges and yellows, or white if you want to stimulate good creative energy. Obviously, most people won’t be able to paint the colour of walls at their offices, so instead bring these colours in with small desk accessories.
コメント