The messy office is merely a symptom

06Mar
by Jon Swanson

What tells you that you are running at the edges?

For me, it’s my office. When my office starts becoming a little more chaotic than usual, I realize that it’s an external manifestation of internal disorder.

When there are more cords and chargers and projectors than usual, it means that there may be too many setup and trouble-shooting projects. When there are books and articles on every flat surface, it may mean that there are too many projects in process. It may mean that skimming is replacing productivity. When there are drifts of to-do lists, it may mean that the list-collating time isn’t happening. And when the chaos extends to the offices at home and work, it means that there is a little too much going on.

Sometimes the solution is radical. Everything stops due to illness or migraine or breakdown. But often the solution is more simple. Clean up the offices.

There is an internal order imposed by cleaning up the external space. You can’t order and disorder at the same time. Time spent sorting cannot be used to be in other places, solving other problems, brainstorming other projects. If you have to take time off to clean, it gives you rest from other events. There is a freeing discipline about ordering disorder. 

I’m in the middle of the multiple messy offices at the moment. And I’m in the process of cleaning. It’s a healthy process.

So what are your indicators? What lets you know that something in your soul is disordered? Do you get cranky? Do you find small annoyances exploding? Do you snack more than usual, hide more often, talk louder, exercise less, wander more?

What simple steps do you take to bring things back into order?

Or do you even notice?

11 thoughts on “The messy office is merely a symptom”

  1. Joseph Ruiz (@SMSJOE)'s avatar

    Joseph Ruiz (@SMSJOE)

    So much to think about Jon, I sense the need for a new-routine! As I was reading this I had a picture of a spiritual dashboard with indicators that would measure and reveal different aspects. I need one of these! All too often I putter along without the guages then I am surprised when the clunker stops. Thanks for this.

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  2. Laurie's avatar

    Laurie

    whoo boy, you hit the nail on the head this morning. I would say more, but I really need to go clean off my desk now 😉 Thanks, Jon.

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  3. Susan Pieters's avatar

    Susan Pieters

    Got me on this one! My messy desk is a sign of me “thinking” about doing things rather than any physical action taking place. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak… or sleepy…or easily distracted… And also, why is cleaning my desk just a little bit scary? Not sure what I’ll find buried, that I really did want to do at some point.
    Thanks, Jon.

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    1. Jon Swanson's avatar

      Jon Swanson

      Susan, I so understand the fear part of what you identified. I know some of what’s in those piles. I don’t want to face those things. Until I decide that the fear is worse that the task itself. And clean.

      (I’m a messy, don’t get me wrong. But even messies can get too messy.)

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  4. Gary Mintchell's avatar

    Gary Mintchell

    You are right on target. Often when I get sick, it’s because I’ve gotten disorganized and disoriented with life. Organization goes along with focus–a word I preach about often.

    Rex Stout wrote a series of murder / detective mysteries featuring Nero Wolfe and his assistant Archie Goodwin. Archie came down to the office every day and dusted and organized before the day started. I don’t do that, but I know I should. It would be a great little habit.

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    1. Jon Swanson's avatar

      Jon Swanson

      Gary, that connection to illness is significant. Well said.

      And I’m reminded of a book by Gordon MacDonald “Ordering your private world.” It’s about that inside outside connection.

      Thanks!

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  6. Pingback: Getting Organized And Getting My Spiriual House Ordered | Faith Venture

  7. Tim B's avatar

    Tim B

    A messy office is a fire risk. And if employees have to share desks, especially if you have staff working different shifts, it is important, and only fair, to leave the desk tidy. Also, if you handle confidential information, it could get seen by others who are not meant to see it. I have occassionally found things on photocopiers that are confidential. As someone once said, if you want to know the company secrets, just ask the cleaners.

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