Let’s face it, we have all enjoyed the holidays and probably let our work priorities and structural regimes slip. I find myself overwhelmed when I don’t have a good consistent level of organization whether it’s in my home, my car, workspace or even how I approach business opportunities.

Now is the time to get back on track! I’m a firm believer that organization affects the mind and how we think. Having structure throughout your workspace is critical and may allow you to easily set goals for the new year! Did you know that given your personality type where and how you work depends on how productive or efficient you may be?

“Surveys show the average person loses an hour a day to disorganization,” said Lisa Zaslow, a professional organizer in New York City. “It takes much less time to get and stay organized. Think about how frantic and stressed you are when you can’t find something.” -CNN Business

Let’s explore some top trends that may help you create an effective workspace to spark an inspiring flow for enhancing new business opportunities.

Declutter Your Space

First, consider decluttering your workspace and your desk. Go through those papers from last year that you meant to organize or those folders just collecting dust and make sure they are purged of unnecessary items. Keep your workspace clean with an area to collaborate or brainstorm but with minimal interference like personal items or supplies. I particularly like to handwrite client notes, but I keep those entries in a binder/journal, so they are visually appealing and contained. This keeps me on track since journals are great if you are a visual person like myself and desire to revisit previous strategies that worked for a particular account. Consistently having a regime in place when you are creating or prospecting new clients will keep you more efficient and prepared.

Makeover Your Area

Secondly, consider a workspace makeover. It may be time to reassess if your workspace needs a refresh. Does the current work environment spark joy? Marie Kondo, Japanese organizing consultant, mentions that you should store “like items” together and only keep items that bring joy. Consider removing items that lack value to you or your work efficiency and buying a few pieces that are minimal that help you feel more at home while you work, such as an air purifying plant or air freshener. Another idea is to have a few items that might motivate you to hit your goals but not distract you in the process. Some examples are awards, family photos or vacation pictures. The color, the flow and the feel of your workspace will have you either cranking out creative ideas, strategies or activities, or it will have you surfing the internet, being distracted by office noise or possibly only thinking “what’s for lunch?” Take time to invest in your space and make sure that the time spent there is going to help you operate for success.

Minimize Energy Disruption

Finally, minimize energy disruption. Do you get up every time you complete one task, hear someone make a joke or walk into the office? Consider staying put so you complete the project at hand and demonstrate more activity towards your goals or business objectives. If you work in an environment that is full of distractions, consider having additional white noise, headphones or close your office door if you have a private space.

“Getting up even just once a day for a pencil or paper clip is shutting your brain off a project you are working on and you will have to come back and re-center.” -Amy Trager, a professional organizer in Chicago

Give yourself more time to stay engaged in the activity that could ultimately help you obtain the income level you desire, the vacation you want to explore or whatever you drives you to be successful.

How we stay consistently organized and prepared for the goals we have set forth and the responsibilities we must accomplish will depend on how we achieve them!

Interested in more tips? Check out our other blogs!