Do you feel overwhelmed or unproductive at work? Are there days when your cluttered desk threatens to sap away all your motivation and enthusiasm? Whether you run a small business from home or have an office job, the key to achieving maximum efficiency lies in decluttering. According to Greg Van Wyk, streamlining your physical workspace can significantly improve concentration, creativity, and productivity. So let’s take a look at some easy yet effective decluttering hacks that can help create a healthier working environment for both body and mind!
Greg Van Wyk Lists Decluttering Hacks For A More Productive Day At Work
1. Set Daily Goals: A great way to ensure productivity throughout your day at work is to set daily goals, says Greg Van Wyk. When you have defined objectives that you want to achieve, it helps keep you stay focused and on track with your tasks and responsibilities. You can also break down larger goals into smaller ones, which can be more easily achieved and help you stay motivated through the entire process. For example, if one of your main objectives for the day is to organize a client presentation, start by outlining what steps need to be taken in order for this goal to be accomplished. Data point: According to statistics from a study conducted by Harvard Business Review, when employees set specific goals, they are 66% more likely to attain those goals than their peers who didn’t set any goals.
2. Create a Schedule: Another great way to increase your productivity and declutter your workspace is to create a schedule for yourself. Mapping out when specific tasks will be completed and how much time you need to devote to each helps minimize distractions and allows you to focus on just the task at hand without having to think about what else needs to be done that day. Scheduling also gives you more clarity on what needs to be done in order of priority, so nothing slips through the cracks. Data point: According to a study conducted by Stanford University, those who plan their workday are 34% more productive than those who don’t have structure or organization with their daily goals.
3. Minimize Distractions: The key to productive workflow is to minimize distractions and create a space where you can focus on the task at hand without being interrupted by notifications, emails, or phone calls. To do this, try turning off all your device notifications for the time being and storing away any extraneous items that would cause unnecessary clutter and visual distraction. Also, if possible, designate certain times of the day for checking emails so that it doesn’t become an incessant task throughout the day. Data point: According to research from RescueTime, mobile phones are one of the largest sources of productivity killers – with people spending an average of 3 hours a day on their phones while they are working.
4. Utilize Space Efficiently: Another way to make your workspace more organized and productive is to utilize the space efficiently. If you have a lot of items on your desk that are not used regularly, store them away in drawers or cabinets, so they do not take up valuable workspace. You can also try using stackable shelves to organize any loose files or documents that need to be easily accessible. Data point: According to a study conducted by the University of Minnesota, employees with organized workspaces were found to be 33% more efficient than those with cluttered workspaces. Real-Life Example: A great example of utilizing space efficiently is seen in one employee’s office – where he created an organizational system for his desk by hanging folders on the wall above his desk which had labels like “Current Projects,” “Meetings” and “Financials.” This allowed him to easily locate any documents he needed in an efficient manner and kept his desk clear from clutter.
5. Cut Down on Multitasking: While it may seem like multitasking is a good way to get more things done in less time, research has shown that it can actually hinder productivity. When you are trying to do multiple tasks at once, your mind gets overwhelmed with the amount of information it needs to process, which can lead to slower task completion times as well as errors. To increase efficiency, Greg Van Wyk recommends trying to focus on one task at a time and breaking down larger pieces of work into smaller chunks, so they are easier to manage. Data point: According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, multitasking can lead to a 40% decrease in productivity.
Greg Van Wyk’s Concluding Thoughts
By utilizing these decluttering hacks, you will be able to create a more organized and productive workspace that will help you be more effective with your workday. According to Greg Van Wyk, with clear goals and objectives, a daily schedule, minimized distractions, space-efficient organization tactics, and a focus on one task at a time – you’ll be well on your way to having an effective workflow for success.