{"id":5412,"date":"2025-09-17T13:04:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T07:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ksrini.life\/29035f-co-nz\/journal\/?p=5412"},"modified":"2025-09-17T13:04:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T07:34:13","slug":"9-ways-decluttering-boosts-productivity-at-home-and-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ksrini.life\/29035f-co-nz\/journal\/9-ways-decluttering-boosts-productivity-at-home-and-work\/5412\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Ways Decluttering Boosts Productivity at Home and Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many benefits of decluttering and these don\u2019t just apply to your home. In this article we look at 9 ways\u00a0decluttering boosts productivity<\/strong>\u00a0at home, work and in life so you can get more of the right things done in less time!<\/p>\n

WHAT\u2019S YOUR DESK STYLE?<\/h2>\n

My husband and I have very different working styles. His desk is messy and mine is tidy. He has\u00a0lots of stuff<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0on his desk and I have very little. He likes to be able to see everything, I prefer to keep my stuff in drawers and the surfaces clear.<\/p>\n

If you asked both of us who\u2019s the most productive, we\u2019d both say me. I think some of this is to do with the fact that my husband is very easily distracted and naturally finds it more difficult to stay on task. I, on the other hand, can be quite goal-orientated and get (and stay) in my own little work zone or bubble much more easily.<\/p>\n

The other reason might have something to do with our desks and the presence or absence of clutter!<\/p>\n

In this article I\u2019m sharing some thoughts on how decluttering boosts productivity in the workplace, at home and in life more generally.<\/p>\n

THE BENEFITS OF DECLUTTERING<\/h2>\n

Decluttering<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is the act of getting rid of clutter that doesn\u2019t serve a purpose, add meaningful value to our lives or that we don\u2019t appreciate in some way.<\/p>\n

Clutter\u00a0means different things<\/a><\/strong> to different people and my idea of what clutters my home might be different to what clutters yours.<\/p>\n

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There are also various\u00a0types of clutter<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in our home,\u00a0schedule<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and life including\u00a0negative thought patterns<\/a><\/strong>, unhealthy habits, paperwork, outgrown toys and\u00a0unused furniture<\/a><\/strong>, to give a few random examples.<\/p>\n

Whatever clutter looks like to you, there are some amazing\u00a0benefits of decluttering<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for our physical and mental health, our stress levels, overall\u00a0happiness<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0bank accounts<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and much more!<\/p>\n

9 WAYS DECLUTTERING BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY AT HOME, WORK AND IN LIFE<\/h2>\n

In this article I\u2019m exploring how decluttering boosts your productivity so you can get more of the right things done more effectively and efficiently.<\/p>\n

1. Decluttering Makes It Easier To Find What You\u2019re Looking For<\/h3>\n

Having less stuff means that it\u2019s easier to find what you\u2019re looking for. This could be an important document, a precious old photo, medical letters, school exam certificates, emails in your inbox, a replacement bulb for your desk lamp.<\/p>\n

No need to sift through excess clutter that you DON\u2019T really need or want, just so you can find exactly what you DO need and want!<\/p>\n

2. Decluttering Makes It Easier To Have A Clear, Tidy Desk<\/h3>\n

A tidy desk makes for a tidy mind! Whether you agree with that or not, I personally feel that a clear desk boosts productivity in several ways.<\/p>\n

You have more space to use the desk surface, you don\u2019t have to move or clear stuff out of the way, you can lay out what you need and, importantly, you can focus on the task in hand.<\/p>\n

This also applies to\u00a0kitchen counters<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0when you\u2019re making dinner so it\u2019s not just applicable to when you\u2019re working. A clear desk could also help your child study more effectively or help you enjoy hobbies by having a space to lay out your\u00a0art and craft materials<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

3. Decluttering Reduces Distractions<\/h3>\n

When your computer has too many tabs open all at one time, it slows the computer down. Your brain works in the same way so when you have too much clutter, your mind goes into overdrive flitting between the different \u2018tabs\u2019 and it slows you down as your brain has to catch up.<\/p>\n

The same is true for multitasking. It\u2019s often called a superpower and a useful skill for a busy life, but it\u2019s really detrimental to our brain. Here\u2019s an interesting article on\u00a0how multitasking affects productivity and brain health<\/a><\/strong>. Better to focus on just one thing (or tab) at a time \u2013 if life allows!<\/p>\n

Clearing the clutter removes the visual and mental distractions that are getting in the way of focused, productive work.<\/p>\n

Further reading:\u00a010 ways to reduce distractions<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

4. Decluttering Improves Prioritisation<\/h3>\n

When you have clutter on your desk, your inbox, your mind, it\u2019s difficult to think clearly about which tasks are the Most Important Tasks (MITs) and the most urgent.<\/p>\n

Our To Do lists and goal-setting become filled with a whole host of errands, tasks, responsibilities and To Dos all lumped together without clear prioritisation.<\/p>\n

Decluttering enables us to clearly identify our goals, our objectives and come up with a strategy to achieve them.<\/p>\n

Further reading:\u00a0Decluttering Goals and Why They\u2019re Important (+ Free Printable)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Decluttering Helps Us Be More Organised<\/h3>\n

Decluttering is a great way of getting rid of stuff that we don\u2019t need or want, whether that\u2019s ornaments on our shelves or paperwork in our filing cabinets or emails in our inbox. After decluttering, it\u2019s helpful to get more organised with\u00a0organisation habits<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and systems in place to store and manage our stuff.<\/p>\n

Organising before decluttering isn\u2019t so effective because that really just means we end up organising our clutter which can be a waste of time and energy and it means you have way more stuff to organise too which will take longer!<\/p>\n

Declutter first then organise<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to help you be tidier and more productive.<\/p>\n

6. Decluttering Means You Can File, Store And Save Easier<\/h3>\n

As part of the decluttering and organising process, you\u2019ll probably find yourself working out what you need to keep and where you want to keep it. Giving the stuff you\u2019re keeping a \u2018home\u2019 of its own, a place to be stored when not in use, is a great way of keeping your home and office tidy and\u00a0staying clutter-free<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

When you have less stuff generally and the stuff you DO have is stored properly, you can more easily set up systems to file, store and save your items, whether that\u2019s documents, letters, emails, electronic files, photos, stationery etc.<\/p>\n

This boosts your productivity, for example, by making it easier to find things and you know when you\u2019re running out of items like paper, post-it notes or even food in the kitchen cupboard!<\/p>\n

7. Decluttering Improves Efficiency<\/h3>\n

Not only does decluttering boost your productivity, but it also improves your efficiency too. This means that you can complete your work, send out that report, write that email, update that spreadsheet much more quickly, and maybe to a better standard, than if your home, desk and brain were cluttered and overstuffed.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s difficult to do your best work when your laptop is sat precariously on a pile of papers, your brain is in overdrive thinking of a hundred things all at once and you\u2019ve lost that email you need to complete your report.<\/p>\n

8. Decluttering Avoids You Wasting Time<\/h3>\n

Many of the ways that decluttering boosts your productivity that I\u2019ve mentioned already share the common theme of avoiding you wasting your time.<\/p>\n