Professional Organizing and Productivity

So why do we keep talking about productivity? What does professional organizing have to do with productivity? Our take is that these are two sides of the same coin.

The Bookshelf Analogy

Try to imagine your bookshelf. Chances are that you probably have sets of books in a range of different genres. Perhaps when you first collected your books, you organized them a certain way. Overtime, your literary tastes expand so you buy books in new genres that you may not have specific places for them yet thinking, “I’ll re-sort it later.” As you buy new books, you may have run out of shelf space so you put them in a pile thinking “I’ll buy a new shelf later.” It’s also common to grab books off your shelf to re-read without putting it back to where it’s supposed to be. This is why there are probably books sitting on your shelf right now that you have completely forgotten about. Over time, our books just get shuffled around on our shelves without us noticing. This is completely normal.

Image by Nick Hillier

The problem happens when one day we need to reference one of our books, but we can’t find it. We know it’s on our shelf, but we can’t see it. We now spend time tearing our bookshelf apart to find the one book we need, only to be left with a mess of books in front of us. How did this happen? You started off with an organized bookshelf, but it became cluttered without you realizing. Because of this, you now wasted an afternoon trying to find the book you need, and now you need to put everything back in place. Usually at this point you will re-organize this into a better system, but wouldn’t it be better if you avoid this unpleasant situation altogether?

The Pervasiveness of Clutter

Clutter is a part of life. Your bookshelf, of course, is just one example which depends on different factors like how often you buy new books and re-read old books. This type of clutter can also happen throughout many different areas in your life. It’s common to experience this type of clutter in your kitchen, your office or other working area. And guess what? It’s not only limited to your physical space. Many times, our digital files, emails and thoughts get cluttered without us even realizing it. When your space is well-organized, it sets the stage for enhanced productivity. But why exactly is this the case?

Benefits of Professional Organizing

1. Clarity and Focus

   A well-organized space provides clarity and focus. When everything is in its place, you can find what you need without wasting time searching. This reduces stress and allows you to concentrate on the tasks at hand. For example, a tidy desk with neatly filed documents can help you start your workday with a clear mind, ready to tackle your to-do list.
   

2. Time Management

   One of the most significant benefits of professional organizing is improved time management. By establishing systems and routines, you can streamline your daily activities. This means less time spent on mundane tasks and more time for what truly matters.
   

3. Reduced Stress

   Clutter and disorganization are major sources of stress. They can make you feel overwhelmed and anxious, hindering your ability to work effectively. Staying organized eliminates these stressors, creating a calm and efficient environment.
   

4. Enhancing Creativity and Innovation

   A clutter-free environment fosters creativity and innovation. When your mind isn’t bogged down by the chaos around you, you have more space to think creatively and come up with new ideas. Decluttering your mental space allows for a more innovative mindset.

How to Stay Organized

So, what’s the solution? How do we stay organized? Here at Orderly Mindset, we recommend that you re-organize your items on a periodic basis. It sounds simple, but can be challenging to commit to.

Depending on the space, the number of items you have and how often you use them, you should select a set time to re-organize your items on a regular basis. This could be once a month, or once a year. You get to decide. It's better to re-organize your items on your own terms in a calm manner, rather than have to tear your space apart and re-organize in an emergency. It is better to be proactive with organizing rather than being in an unpleasant situation of reacting to the problem.

Conclusion

To summarize, your productivity is heavily dependent on how organized you are. If this inspires you to transform your productivity through professional organizing, contact us today for a free discovery call.

Until next time, stay balanced!