Sort your workspace
How does your workspace look? Is it tidy and neat, or a teetering pile of books and paperwork? Maybe you have more than one workspace, or work out of a rucksack. Perhaps everything you need lives on your phone.
However, and wherever, you work it’s useful to have a clear out.
If you’ve had a particularly busy time last year, or if you feel things are on top of you, then you may want to take the next couple of days to de-clutter and organise. You can make it more bearable by listening to music, or some of your favourite research podcasts.
That might include:
– sorting through your computer to ensure all your folders are up to date, with the right stuff in the right places, and any duplicates or no-longer-useful documents archived or deleted; with pending tasks clearly indicated. I admit this might take much longer than a couple of days and it’s okay to schedule this across the coming weeks as something you do for a short time each day until everything is more sorted.
– If you have any work that needs filing (on or offline) you could sort this now, or make a note of what needs organising and manage that in the next few days/weeks. A checklist of what needs tidying that you can tick off brings order and can feel very satisfying.
– If you have a dedicated workspace, go through this identifying what needs recycling, shredding, recycling, or throwing away.
– If you mostly work out of a rucksack then empty your bag, throw away any rubbish, recycle old paperwork, and ensure it’s only got the essentials you need inside it.
– Books, folders and files can be put back into their correct places (particularly if you have a home office and work has ‘spread’ all over the house). You might want to review if everything is where you need it (and make a note if you make any changes so this time next week you won’t be hunting around for essential information).
– If you wear a uniform for work, or just have different outfits for different jobs you can go through your closet and work out what things are torn and need mending, what can go to the charity shop, and if there are any new items you need to buy or save for.
– If your office has a cleaner they’ll be able to work more effectively if you’ve tidied up. But you may still want to clean any equipment you use (computers, laptops etc) and wipe down, dust and hoover your workspace.
You may already follow a cleaning system, if so recommend who helps you keep on top of clutter in the comments. If you want to share your before and after cleaning pics (so long as they don’t contain any research-identifying information) post on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ResearcherRenew
If you found this difficult
If you’re overwhelmed at work or home with clutter you may not know how to sort it, and may also feel embarrassed or ashamed. If you have a friend or colleague that might help you this could be a good way to feel more in control at the start of the year. Not everyone has the budget for a cleaner, but if you do this could be a bonus (and it’s possible to hire cleaners as a one-off job if you need assistance to get your home or work space feeling more liveable).
If you can build in time to get on top of your work it will pay off as you’ll know what needs doing, you’ll be able to throw out what isn’t needed (physically or metaphorically), and feel less anxious and guilty. Remember if this task is a big ask for you to build in reward times so you recognise what you’re managing. And also note that keeping your research and workspaces tidy and organised is part of a researcher’s job. It is still necessary work.
Next steps
Having tidied your workspace you might want to decorate it with flowers, photos, art work, certificates or positive images or messages. Looking back to the previous activity where you celebrated your achievements https://theresearchcompanion.com/what-went-well-last-year/ there may be some key moments from the past year you want to celebrate. Or perhaps introduce a space on your wall where you record each month what is going well or what you have to look forward to.
If you work from home have somewhere to relax, feel comfortable and enjoy your downtime is essential. It might be a separate room or the corner of your bedroom/office etc. Here you might keep books, an ornament or plant, a blanket, and a space to have a drink and snack.
Before you finish this task, grab your diary or planner and block out a half or full day per month where you can do a quick clean up – preventing a backlog of mess that overwhelms you. Some people find, having created a tidy workspace, they maintain this with a daily tidy up before they leave their workspace and a weekly check around to ensure everything is kept in order.