“You can’t reach for anything new if your hands are full of yesterday’s junk.”
Louise Smith
Free up your headspace for a productive start to the new year.
January always seems like a good time to declutter and start afresh. And while we might automatically think about how we can declutter our personal lives, have you ever thought about how adopting a similar approach to your work life might help you, and your colleagues, on your way to achieving your goals in 2024?
Decluttering – whether physically or mentally – can also have a big impact on our work-life wellbeing. With all of this in mind, we thought we’d take five to focus on small things you can introduce in the workplace that will help free up everyone’s headspace to think about the bigger picture this coming year. With employee wellbeing probably also high on your agenda, you might even consider integrating these tips as part of your wellness strategy.
1. Meditate to regenerate
Meditation is proven to help clear the mind, boost productivity and have a positive effect on overall wellbeing. The internet is heaving with online tools designed specifically to help busy employees get into the zone. As little as five minutes a day can make a huge difference, so why not think about making mindfulness part of the working day? Giving employees free access to an app and the space in their busy diaries to down tools and focus could have a huge impact on their wellness and productivity in the longer term.
2. Out with the old
Did you know there’s a direct link between organised workspaces and a more organised mind? And whether your workforce continues to work remotely or hybrid, now is a great time to adopt an ‘out with the old, in with the new’ policy. Getting rid of all those non-essential items and distractions can help everyone start the new year feeling more zen. And you can make it fun! Why not organise a company-wide tidy-a-thon – something as simple as using your internal comms channels where people can share their tips and progress pics (you could even incentivise this with a prize for the best-kept desk).
3. Prioritise your priorities
The number one way to declutter your mind while at work is to be clear on your daily priorities, be clear on what you ask your colleagues to prioritise, and then stick to focussing on those things. Start by spending 15 minutes a day setting out goals for you and your team. Research suggests that multitasking reduces productivity by up to 40%. So in a 7.5 hour working day, those few minutes spent prioritising stand to give you and everyone you work with three hours back. The maths speaks for itself!
You may be thinking to yourself ‘but where do we find the time for these things?’ Remember that your state of mind is deeply connected to the quality of your work. In the longer term, finding ways to keep you and those around you refreshed and focused can only lead to a better, healthier and more productive culture all round.
We work with lots of our clients on their wellbeing strategies, and we’re keen to help you deliver yours! So take that deep breath, and give us a call for an informal chat.