Why a Messy Desk is a Major Problem

Take a look at your desk. How much clutter are you surrounded by and what does it say about you? A messy desk can amount to major problems, not least because studies have shown that clutter is a real distraction. A tidy desk leads to a tidier mind, enabling you to focus and be more productive in your work.

If your desk is messy, you may find your eyes stray from your work to the random assortment of things strewn around your computer. Mess takes you 'out of the zone', and it's been proven that it can take up to half an hour to refocus after an interruption.

Also remember that mess equals stress. When you start the day feeling you're behind on your tasks and can't find things, that ups your anxiety levels considerably. Nobody works well when they're stressed, so keeping your desk neat is one way to ensure you're working at your best.

As well as being bad for your mental health, it can affect your physical health. If the cleaning staff can't get at the surfaces, they become a breeding ground for thousands of bacteria. Making sure your workstation is sanitised is a good way to avoid the coughs and colds which circulate in all offices.

Finally, think about how your desk appears to others. The majority of people consciously or unconsciously judge their colleagues on the state of their desk. Not everyone believes mess is the sign of a genius at work – they're more likely to secretly think of you as disorganised, even chaotic.