Be More Productive By Keeping Office Clean

Office and cleanliness go hand in hand. When your office is kept neat, it’s easier to find the information you need when you need it. Every day we spend hours at work, so why not make our time there more efficient by keeping it tidy?

        While many of us will claim to enjoy a messy workspace (or be unable to see how dirty it really is), keep in mind that the mess isn’t hurting anyone… until you find yourself searching for an important document while on a tight deadline, or searching for pens while someone is waiting to meet with you. A disorganized space also means different filing systems depending on who tidies up last, if at all. Keeping office supplies stored in the same place regardless of who cleans is essential to staying efficient.

        Not only does the organization make you more productive, but it also makes your job easier by eliminating the daily stress of searching for vital information. An organized workspace is not always a neat workspace- sometimes people are more comfortable in piles. If this describes you, try limiting yourself to one pile per surface and asking other employees to do the same. This will cut down on clutter and prevent confusion over whose mess is whose. Keep important papers separate from junk mail, and use drawers for supplies that don’t need regular access (such as cleaning products).

        It’s also important to keep shared spaces clean and tidy so others can work without distractions. A messy desk invites unneeded attention, reflects badly on you, and can disrupt coworkers. By keeping shared spaces clean, you demonstrate your work ethic to your boss and show consideration for other employees.

        Create a schedule to ensure that people tidy up after themselves so you don’t have to bear the burden of cleaning up someone else’s mess all the time. You don’t need to be neurotic about organizing every detail- if everyone keeps their desk space clean it won’t require as much attention as a messy floor or an overflowing trashcan. If someone leaves a mess after them, send them a friendly email asking them to keep things neat moving forward so there is no confusion over whose responsibility it is. All of these methods will result in an organized workspace that makes company time more productive and less stressful.

        The organization also means having the right supplies on hand to get tasks done quickly and efficiently. Invest in a paper tray, label drawers and shelves for easy reference, and find the organizational system that works best for you personally. You can buy pre-labelled office storage systems or do it yourself so you know exactly where everything should go to avoid confusion. Labelling is especially important if multiple people use a space since everyone’s needs may vary depending on their job functions.

        Of course, there are other ways to keep a clean workspace besides straightening up daily: you could put a recycling bin under your desk so you aren’t tempted to toss trash onto the floor, you could have personal items stowed away in filing cabinets instead of on your desk, and you could keep personal photographs covered so they don’t take up valuable space. Also, try to remember to turn off all electronics that you aren’t using daily since this uses electricity and generates heat which increases office temperature and wastes energy.

        Cleaning out your workspace at the end of every day can also help save time in the long run by preventing clutter from accumulating. Instead of spending 5 extra minutes each day searching for a pen under papers or fliers over your desk, clean everything away and keep it organized overnight. You will be amazed at how easy things are when there isn’t junk lying around- it’s amazing what cleaning up after yourself can do to make work better!

        Being productive in the workplace can be difficult if you don’t have an organized workspace. Not only does disorganization waste valuable company time, but it also causes unnecessary stress to make tasks harder than they need to be. Investing in the organization not only benefits you personally but for your company as a whole by making other employees more productive and efficient.

Office and cleanliness go hand in hand. When your office is kept neat, it’s easier to find the information you need when you need it. Every day we spend hours at work, so why not make our time there more efficient by keeping it tidy?         While many of us will claim to enjoy a messy…