Tidy desk, less stress: Keeping your desk organised improves your concentration

Besides drawing snarky comments from co-workers, chances are the mess will impact your concentration. — UWE ANSPACH/dpa

Keeping your desk organised, whether at home or in the office, can improve your concentration.

Psychologist Iris Dohmen, who advises companies on issues including stress and time management, explains the benefits of a tidy workspace and reveals why she no longer uses post-its.

Why does a tidy desk help me to work more effectively? Why does it reduce stress and increase well-being?

Iris Dohmen: That has to do with organisation and time management. If I’m well-organised, including at my desk, that brings down the stress level.

In the office, an untidy workplace can lead to criticism from managers and colleagues, for example if you are sick and the person covering for you can’t find the documents they need.

A chaotic desk also makes a bad impression on clients, which can have repercussions for others in the company – and ultimately for you personally.

Studies show that if a desk looks untidy, employees are sometimes assumed to be chaotic and not fully committed to their work.

What are the biggest distractions? Apart from all the required equipment, what’s good to have on a desk?

A picture of your children or partner can be helpful in stressful situations. Looking at it can distract you for a moment during a challenging phone call with a customer and help you remain positive.

Some people’s desks are cluttered with personal items. A Sudoku puzzle or a magazine are naturally distracting. So it’s important to keep a balance.

Things that you need for work but that aren’t on your to-do list should also be kept out of sight as they can disrupt the flow of concentration.

But again, one or two positive triggers like a family photo or a plant are good to have on a desk. Having a stress ball around can also help in tense situations.

How tidy is your desk?

My desk is organised by topic. I keep the most important things within easy reach. A desk should be organised according to relevance and urgency.

If I’m expecting a call from an important customer in the next two days, I need to be prepared and know where to find all the relevant documents. Anything else would look unprofessional.

My desk used to be a mess – full of clutter and covered in post-its. I have now got into the habit of making notes using tools such as the Outlook calendar, which works really well. – dpa