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Chaos and Order – Enemies Or Opposites? 5 Steps to Increase Your Productivity

15th April, 2010 - Posted by Meggin - No Comments

Chaos and Order are not enemies, only opposites.”

~Richard Garriott, computer-game developer

You’ve heard it-and maybe even said it: “I know where everything is….it just looks messy.” Chaos in your work space (or home space) is not reasonable, sensible, or productive. Those who believe that they are organized, efficient, and highly effective when they live and/or work in chaos are delusional. So, here is a question, “Is that how you want to be described?” I didn’t think so.

Are there any solutions if chaos is currently part of your worklife?

Hire someone to help you. There are professionals who can come in and work directly with you and your team so that you can restructure your chaos to be order. You can check your contact list, the Internet, or other means to find people who are poised to assist you in your efforts.

Talk with your team about the differences between chaos and order. Regardless of whether your team is one other person or scores (or hundreds), make it clear that you are looking for a team effort – with the resultant benefits for all – to establishing order instead of chaos.

Do not delay on making orderly changes. Starting today you can begin to impose order on your chaos. If your bookshelf looks chaotic, then order some bookends from your local office supply store. It is amazing how just getting all of your books to stand up (using a bookend) can begin to appear more orderly. Once you start to get the visual sense of order, you are encouraged to continue making progress.

Look for results. You need to acknowledge small changes that you are making and if you are a leader among your team (and let us hope that you are), then you will want to notice tiny and huge differences that your colleagues are making. Human beings appreciate being acknowledged for the efforts that they are making and know that it is valued. Note: Be sure to provide the encouragement and acknowledgement in the way that individuals will be comfortable. Some people want public attention and others want a short note, email, or face to face verbal interaction with you.

Eliminate at least one item each day until you no longer have chaos in your work life. A major contributor to chaos is too much “stuff,” and that stuff can be physical, emotional, and mental debris. Take a look around your office, lab, garage, or wherever it is that you work. You will immediately see a book, notebook, tool, box, barrel, knick-knack, or other item that no longer supports what it is that you do. Get rid of it. Do this everyday – for however long it takes (and it can take a long time). Spend time also examining your emotional and mental life and see what detritus is also there. Take steps to rid yourself of this chaos.

It took time for your work life to become chaotic and it will take time for it to become orderly. But you can make the shift if you give it your attention and energy. It is worth it and there are tools to assist.

One such tool that you are invited to access is the **free** full-color Special Report, *Rid Your Office of Clutter to Increase Your Sense of Peaceful Productivity.* Just go to

** http://meggin.com/downloads.php where you can download it.

This Special Report will give you (and others with whom you work) suggestions and motivation to start de-cluttering your workspace (and even your home).

© 2010 Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., The Ph.D. of Productivity(tm).