The Ten Commandments Of Desk Discipline – As Valid Today As In The Days Of Moses!
By Damien Parker | December 8, 2014
Whether you work at a desk, bench or counter, the following rules largely apply and if you follow them, they will reward you with extra time and enjoyment.
Certainly they will massively relieve frustration.
Study them carefully and then perform a self-audit. I did and I was staggered at how many of the commandments I was breaking. I now know why my productivity has been down.
This is a worthwhile critical self-examination exercise to perform on a weekly basis – but to monitor several times each day. I’ll use the term “desk” hereafter but understand it applies equally to whatever is your designated work area.
Thou shalt clear thy desk every night. Yes, every night!
Thou shalt continuously refine what goes on thy desktop. Everything has to earn its spot.
Thou shalt not use thy desktop as a filing cabinet or storage area. It’s an active working area.
Thou shalt predetermine what belongs inside thy desk…and select very carefully!
Thou shalt keep 20% of thy drawer space vacant….more if you can.
Thou shalt furnish thy office to support thy desk. Cabinets & shelving are the supporting outposts.
Thou shalt take comfort at thy desk. A concentration break every now and again is a good thing.
Thou shalt keep clean thy desk and surrounding area…at all times!
Thou shalt leave thy desk periodically…but do so ensuring it is tidy and orderly.
Thou shalt honour thy desk as thy self…the desk is a representation of you and your productivity!
Okay, presuming you agree with the sentiments as expressed and you know the damage which a cluttered and untidy workplace has on productivity, from here you have two choices:
Do Nothing…in which case, nothing will change or Do Something which might head you towards a solution which will improve productivity and quite possibly morale. But change is required and research suggests it takes around three weeks for a change to become permanently ingrained…that’s 21 days when you must consciously fight your previous bad habits.
Final comment: Could it be time to take this issue to your staff at large? After all, a person’s work area sends out a very strong message to others and it’s a psychological fact that people draw conclusions as to proficiency from what they see. A tidy office/work area infers a tidy, efficient mind capable of delivering the desired result; an untidy office/work area infers a sloppy, possibly lazy and disorganized mind which will deliver a similar sloppy result. Take heed in this expression:
Every job is a self-portrait of those who did it
Autograph your work with quality!
Here’s to more sales, profits and cash from your business,
Damien Parker
Business Improvement Specialist
www.salesprofitscash.com
Follow my Tweets: @salesprofitcash
Topics: Increasing Productivity/Reducing Costs | No Comments »