How to Organise Your Space for Maximum Productivity

“A place for everything, and everything in its place.” – Benjamin Franklin

This quote by one of the founding fathers of the United States sums up what it means to organise your space.

When your workspace is organised, you can find what you need quickly and easily in its place. This reduces stress and helps you get things done more quickly. Clutter, on the other hand, can be a major productivity killer.

Maybe you’re wondering, how does this help me? Let’s see!

How Clutter Affects Your Productivity

Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that the human brain works best when there is order and that disorganisation reduces cognitive ability and one’s ability to focus.

In a separate study, clutter negatively affected the mental health of participants. In another study, individuals who stayed in cluttered spaces were more likely to suffer from procrastination.

It is clear then that when your space is a mess, you become a mess. This lowers your productivity and causes you to achieve less.

So, how can you organise your space for maximum productivity and success? In this article, I will share some practical tips and strategies you can use to get it done.

Practical Tips for Organising Your Space

Whether you are a student who wants to do more studying at home, an entrepreneur working from home, or you go to an office, these tips will help you organise your space so it supports your goals, inspires your creativity, and boosts your happiness.

Clean it up

A tidy space can reduce stress, increase clarity, and save time. It can also help you complete your tasks on time while avoiding distractions. As simple as this is, many people find it hard to clean their spaces. Here is how to get it done fast;

1. Start with a quick scan: Look around your space and identify the items you don’t need or use anymore. These could be old receipts, magazines, books, pens, cables, etc. Put them in a box or a bag and plan to throw them away.
2. Use the one-year rule: If you haven’t used something in the last year, chances are you won’t use it in the next year either. So get rid of it. This applies to clothes, accessories, gadgets, etc.
3. Label everything: Make it easier to find what you need by labelling everything in your space. Use labels for drawers, cabinets, folders, boxes, etc. You can also colour-code your labels for categorisation.
4. Keep it simple: Don’t overdo it with the cleaning. You don’t have to achieve perfection or minimalism.

Create the right energy

In organising your space, you can add elements that suit your personality and preferences. Doing this will make your workspace welcoming, calming, and focused. The right energy can enhance your mood and creativity. It can also help you feel comfortable and inspired.

To create the right energy,

1. Use natural light: Natural light is one of the best ways to improve the energy of any space. It can boost your mood, and sleep quality, and increase productivity. Try to position your desk near a window or a natural light source. If that’s not possible, use artificial lighting that mimics natural lighting.
2. Choose colours: Colours can affect your emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. One study found that the brain was significantly more alert in colourful rooms (red and blue) compared with neutral environments in one muted colour. So, choose colours that match your personality and goals.
3. Add aromas: In the same way an unpleasant odour can throw you off, a pleasant aroma can increase your alertness, leading to higher productivity. For example, I use a Reed diffuser for my office and when I am unmotivated, all I need to do is to enter my office.
4. Play music: Music is another great way to improve the energy of any space. Just be careful to choose music that matches your preferences and goals. For example, classical music is soothing and can improve cognitive function and memory, jazz enhances imagination and innovation, pop music improves mood and happiness, etc.

Turn off your notifications

Aside from organising your physical space, you also have your mental space to deal with. Turning off your notifications deals directly with the latter. Turning off your phone while you read or work is a good way to declutter your mind and can result in better attention span, performance, and well-being.

Conclusion

Organising your space for maximum productivity and success is not only possible but also enjoyable. By following these simple tips, you can transform your workspace into a place that supports your goals, inspires your creativity, and boosts your happiness. Try them out today and see the difference for yourself!

What are some of the ways you organise your space for productivity and success? Share them with us in the comments below!