tidy

Being smart about stupid productivity killers

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In fairness, you could probably call reading this a productivity killer but I like having you here. Let me make it worth your while with this piece from Oskar on Growthzer.com that sets out four things you do that you could change and feel better about.

One of them is a reasonably involved idea about your To Do list and I’m less taken with that but the others are so simple as to be hard to disagree with. Here’s Number 1: today your desk.

My personal rule for keeping a clear desk says: keep as less as possible on your desk. At the moment when I’m writing this, there’s nothing on my desk except a keyboard, mouse and screen. But I used to have a really chaotic workplace. Books, notes, office accessories and souvenirs. And a cork board above the desk with countless sticky notes. Generally, a lot of distracting stuff which hindered concentration.

Now with hindsight, I wonder how I even wanted to work surrounded by so much equipment. It became obvious that a clear desk is a starting point for having more control over your productivity.

4 Stupid Productivity Killers You Should Be Aware Of – Oskar, Growthzer.com (8 April 2015)

Read the full piece.

National Clean off Your Desk Day

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I kid you not. Next Monday is the National Clean Off Your Desk Day. I might as well be kidding as it’s definitely solely an American idea and certainly not officially adopted by whoever adopts these things, plus you’re not going to do it anyway.

But the second Monday in January is, seriously, National Clean Off Your Desk Day and what the hell? Why not? I usually only clean off my desk when I’ve been fired but I’m going to fight those bad memories and do it. Wait. I’ve a meeting next Monday. Okay, next Tuesday. National Clean Off Your Desk Day +1.

Actually, I’m sitting here now in a pit of 2014’s work and papers and electronics. I suddenly really get why this is a good idea and I know that it will help me get on more with work as soon as it’s done.

Though I am obliged, I feel, to tell you that Monday 12 January 2015 is also National Pharmacist Day. And National Marzipan Day. And National Curried Chicken Day.

And Tuesday 13 January is National Rubber Duckie Day.

National Clean off Your Desk Day

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I kid you not. Next Monday is the National Clean Off Your Desk Day. I might as well be kidding as it’s definitely solely an American idea and certainly not officially adopted by whoever adopts these things, plus you’re not going to do it anyway.

But the second Monday in January is, seriously, National Clean Off Your Desk Day and what the hell? Why not? I usually only clean off my desk when I’ve been fired but I’m going to fight those bad memories and do it. Wait. I’ve a meeting next Monday. Okay, next Tuesday. National Clean Off Your Desk Day +1.

Actually, I’m sitting here now in a pit of 2014’s work and papers and electronics. I suddenly really get why this is a good idea and I know that it will help me get on more with work as soon as it’s done.

Though I am obliged, I feel, to tell you that Monday 12 January 2015 is also National Pharmacist Day. And National Marzipan Day. And National Curried Chicken Day.

And Tuesday 13 January is National Rubber Duckie Day.

Who makes this stuff up? Annual Clean Off Your Desk Day

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It’s a thing. Apparently. The second Monday of January is Clean Off Your Desk Day and I’m prepared to call that utter bollocks but for how I was thinking of cleaning off my desk just about around then.

I learnt about this just now on ProductivitySOS since I am coping with a sluggish day by reading productivity advice. I see the irony. And, I see the irony.

(I’m reading instead of doing and I’m also running a productivity site, so.)

Mind you, last year the same day coincided with National Rubber Duckie Day and I wish I were kidding.

Tidy up before you clean up

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Before beginning her career as a successful author and speaker, Patsy Clairmont did something unexpected. She washed the dishes.

She wanted to take her message to the world, but as she was readying herself, she felt nudged to start in an unusual way. She got out of bed and cleaned her house.

In other words, Patsy got rid of the mess. And it put her in a position to start living more creatively. We must do the same.

Bringing your message to the world does not begin on the main stage. It starts at home. In the kitchen. At your desk. On your cluttered computer. You need to clear your life of distractions, not perfectly, but enough so that there’s room for you to create.

Clutter is Killing Your Creativity (And What to Do About It) – Jeff Goins, Goins, Writer (undated, probably 14 October 2014

Read the full piece.

Clean your desk. Go on.

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One half of my office desk is fantastically tidy and clean. Because Angela needed to use it. I cleared it all up so she could sit there without feeling queasy. But really I just moved everything to the other half which is simply frightening.

But go on, writer David Burkus, tell me what half tidy and half appalling means:

We can learn to structure environments to suit our goals and help use more effectively achieve those goals. If you’re trying to bring some more order, healthier choices, and a more generous perspective into your life, then maybe you should start by cleaning up your office and home. However, if you need a creative insight or breakthrough idea, that same tidy office could be stifling your creative thinking.

Clean Your Desk for Productivity (but Keep It Messy for Creativity – 99U (20 June 2014)

He can’t, can he? But he has more to say.