We have all heard that time and again, but it holds true. If you live and work in disorganization, your mindset and output will reflect your surroundings. Sure, we have some disorder or “organized piles” of stuff, but when there is overload, it overflows.

Clutter influences the way you work and the way you live. It impacts your brain. Learn to effectively manage versus just restyling the mountains of possessions, papers, contracts, or whatever lurks in your office or home. Streamline your physical and digital environment for success and focus.

“A recent survey says a disorganized workspace can lead to decreased productivity and unprofessional behavior.” Inc Magazine.

When you create a more structured environment you become more efficient and effective. You are no longer scrambling to locate important papers, files, emails or even your keys. Your time management increases as does your personal and professional productivity. Your setting is not just about physical space but mental as well. If you reside in chaos or mayhem, it does transmit into your work habits and daily living.

Your surrounding clutter competes for your attention, distracting your focus and thought process. I personally must have a clean and organized environment or I will only be thinking of what may be in the sink or if laundry needs folding. Everything has a place and it must be there when I work. Sure, a little OCD but I run my business the same way.

“When your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain’s ability to process information. Clutter makes you distracted and unable to process information as well as you do in an uncluttered, organized, and serene environment.” Princeton University

According to the National Association of Professional Organizations, paper clutter is the No. 1 hindrance for most businesses. Some studies conclude that the average person wastes 4.3 hours per week searching for papers, which adds stress and frustration to the workplace while reducing concentration and creative thinking. Clutter creates chaos, untidiness and ineffectiveness in every aspect your life and has the great potential significantly influence your personal productivity.

When personal productivity declines, every aspect of your life will be impacted.

Fired up and ready to reclaim your productivity?

• Set aside time weekly to manage and organize information
• Clean out your inbox
• Use cloud storage
• Put things in their proper place when you are finished – don’t merely move away.  Put it away
• Always organize your desk at the end of the day
• Establish routines for clearing the mind overload
• If you must file, then do it. Don’t let items sit on your desk, counter or inbox. It is disrupting
• Don’t keep things that aren’t necessary or vital to your existence. Aunt Betty’s tattered hair ribbon won’t garner money on on the open market. Loving memories last longer
• “More” doesn’t mean more – it translates into jumble and disorder which means distractions. Clear off counter tops and desk space so you can function.
• Donate to charity
• When you bring in one new item, throw out two
• Work on one room at a time until it “feels” good
• If you haven’t used or viewed it in 6 months, do you really need it?
• Know that your value is not your stuff. It does not define you
• Create deadlines to ensure you stick to your toss it and organize program
• Once you have cleaned and decluttered a room or space, maintain it

Decluttering and clearing out the chaos, both physically and spiritually will help you gain clarity toward a more productive life. Make the time to invest in yourself.