There is nothing more chaotic than a messy work space. Walking into a cluttered room, where every surface is filled with paperwork, mugs, and unnecessary office paraphernalia doesn’t inspired the tidy-minded work ethic most people need to excel.
When a room is cluttered it is so often the case that your mind is cluttered, and it becomes very difficult to think clearly and work effectively. Modern minimalism, the practice of having less, is a trend that’s touching the world’s consciousness at the moment, particularly focusing on people’s personal lives and interiors.
Minimalist blogs talk about living successfully and harmoniously with just 100 possessions or less, while books like Marie Kondo’s The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying allow you to pare down and organise your possessions through the simple theory of only keeping that which sparks joy.
These examples are largely focused on the home environment, but they can also be used to great effect in the workplace. Here are some key lessons you can take from minimalists to help your business operate more effectively.
- Keep only that which you need
If you have cupboards and filing systems which are bursting at the seams, it’s time to take action. Sort through and discard anything you don’t need to keep – you’ll be surprised at what you can throw away.
2. Take your information storage online
If you haven’t already made the change, invest in well-protected online storage solutions for everything from utility bills to customer records. In this day and age there is little need for rooms full of filing systems as almost everything can be kept online. Plus, in the event of a catastrophe such as a flood or fire, your online storage is protected, helping your business run more smoothly.
3. Give your employees adequate time to organise and throw away
Instil a sense of pride for the environment in your employees. If you see overflowing in-trays and dirty mugs on desks, let your staff know this is not acceptable and consider ways to help them remedy the situation. Getting a dishwasher in the office kitchen for example, can be a simple way of helping your staff keep mugs and dishes clean without spending time washing up. Let your staff know that they have the time to organise themselves – either on a weekly or monthly basis.
4. Keep clutter to a minimum
Awards from 1985 might be part of your company’s heritage but if they are sitting on shelves gathering dust and making the place look untidy you may consider eliminating them. Display only your most recent accolades – and if your most recent award was 1985, consider the message this gives to your customers. Is it entirely positive?
If you need help organising your work space, please talk to the team at Hannah Barnes Commercial Designs today.