In a 2011 study commissioned by Professional Organizers in Canada, 7 in 10 Canadians who work say their workplace is disorganized and report feelings of stress, frustration and failure. Disorganization not only affects the individual’s work, it affects others – both colleagues and customers. Added up, there is a significant cost to being disorganized.
A messy desk may be the most obvious sign of disorganization; it is however, not the only indication. Keep a lookout for:
- Time lost searching for misplaced items for information.
- Being late for or missing appointments.
- Missing work deliverables or submitting incomplete or unprofessional work.
- Not spending time on the most important tasks.
- Missing work due to stress or preventable workplace injuries.
The impact of a disorganized approach to work includes:
- Lower overall productivity and/or working longer hours.
- Lack of credibility.
- Job dissatisfaction and other negative feelings.
- Lack of career growth.
- Absenteeism.
Getting organized is not about moving from procrastination to perfection. It is about being the most productive person you can be. A sense of achievement is indeed what drives many of us. There is research to suggest happy people are more productive people. I suggest the reverse is also true – productive people are more satisfied people. Now, what will you spend all that extra time on?
TRUTHBOMB: Getting organized is not about moving from procrastination to perfection. It is about being the most productive person you can be.
