It’s time to get out of chaos! A poorly-functioning, disorganized office isn’t just a stressful place to work; it’s a health hazard. And the costs are adding up. Starbucks spends more on healthcare than on coffee beans. General Motors spends more on healthcare than steel.
Part of that big health care cost is because of work-related stress that can lead to health problems and workplace accidents. Stress affects personal lives profoundly. Twenty-five per cent of respondents to a Carleton University study said they had fewer or no children because of workplace stress and demands.
Psychological Harm From a Cluttered Life
The psychological harm from a cluttered life can be huge, says life-management expert Katherine Gibson. This bestselling author of Unclutter Your Life: Transforming Your Physical, Mental and Emotional Space says that disorganization can create anxiety, heighten stress, and lower self-esteem.
Gibson has partnered with Out of Chaos founder Linda Chu to provide keynote addresses and conference presentations to help take people from chaos to calm in their personal and professional lives. In the process, they’ve acquired a lot of stories from people who really improved their lives by making some necessary changes.
“There was one woman we talked to who had been living in her four-bedroom home after a divorce,” Gibson explains. “She didn’t feel comfortable being there, but at the same time, she felt she couldn’t just leave this home that was filled to the rafters with all this stuff.
“Finally, she moved into an apartment and got rid of all the clutter. Soon, she was in a new relationship, in a new career and started being more physically active. When she stopped trying to hold on to all those things she didn’t need, she could start living her life the way she wanted.”
Quick Tips to Get Out of Chaos
- Write down your to-do’s. Group them into similar tasks and book specific times to do them. When you have a plan of action, it’s easier to take action.
- Avoid hoarding. Be generous. An accumulation of things does not bring happiness. Your relationships and how you live your life can help you enjoy life more, stress-free.
- Procrastination leads to a cluttered life. If you start tackling the jobs you’ve been avoiding, you will feel better in your mind and your body.
Getting organized isn’t just good for your productivity – it’s good for your mental and physical health. Contact Out of Chaos founder Linda Chu to speak at your next corporate workshop!
