A Cluttered Desk Is The Sign Of ... Stress

When I worked in the corporate world, my desk and workspace was nearly always clean and tidy. Which is weird only because my house tended to be cluttered and chaotic. As much as my last major employment was stressful, keeping an organized desk allowed me to feel much more in control and on top of things.

That's how it is for lots of people, I've found.

So if work tends to cause you stress, here are a few simple ways to manage that, simply by taking control.

First, organize your space, whether it's your office, your cubicle, your tool box, or the computer table at home! File what needs filing, organize projects, and clear some space. Then, actually clean it. Starting with a clean surface just feels more efficient. At the end of the day, clear your desk again. If you're in the middle of something, use a sticky note to mark your place and put it away. If you have the option, use colored (not black or gray) letter trays and coordinating accessories, even if you have to buy them yourself. (You can take them with you when you leave the company, don't worry.) Employers who don't allow "personalization" like photos or plants may still allow a blue stapler or green pencil cup. Every little bit allows you to maintain your sense of self.

Next, organize your time and work. Keep track of your projects or work assignments if that's practical, or at least calendar your time at work, marking out lunches or meetings. If your job is more physical, you can still plan out your to-do list for each day. This is especially helpful if you have projects you need to work on over a few days - plan your progress each day. Keep track of when you get distracted or tend to waste time. How does this impact your performance? And, don't forget breaks - don't just go to the coffee pot ... stretch, do a couple neck rolls, a few deep breaths, and then a few minutes of some mindless game on your smartphone.

Once your stuff, your progress, and your breaks are organized, your stress comes down a level.

Granted, these are not especially secrets. But unless you're actually taking action along these lines, you aren't taking control of your stress. Don't let it get the best of you!