Think feng shui for your desk. While you don’t need to put specific objects in certain places in order to feel harmony and balance, an organized workspace can go a long way in improving your efficiency and concentration.

Everything in its Own Place

When everything is where it belongs, where you know it is, you can work more efficiently. If your phone is buried underneath a pile of papers, it only takes that much longer to answer. If you need space to write, it’s easier to have it available than to take time and clean a spot. You should have room to spread things out when you need to, in order to better visualize a project.

An Open Desk, An Open Mind

Some people experience mild forms of anxiety when their workspace is not clear. A cluttered desk can be a distraction for you and possibly other co-workers; keeping it clean shows you respect your space. While there are actually studies claiming the benefits of both a clean desk and a messy desk, most agree that those with cleaner desks are more efficient that those without and can keep their focus on their job. The studies do acknowledge however that it takes time to file papers in the right place, just as it takes time to dig them out of a pile. Who’s to say filing takes longer than digging?

Not Just For the Desk

This goes for any work surface. Whether you work at a desk, on a computer screen, in a kitchen, at a school – organization and tidiness are beneficial no matter where you work. When everything’s readily available, it becomes easier to work at your maximum level. If you work in a group setting, organization may be essential to the groups productivity level.

Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize

If you find you work better when you keep things out, prioritize your piles. By putting items into piles you can limit clutter and still have handy what you’ll need. If you’re working on a project, it may be easier for you to have everything available should you need it. People who utilize this system often seem very disorganized to others, but in truth can have highly sophisticated methods of organization.

Look for Step 7 – Focus on One Thing At a Time.

Increase your focus safely and naturally.