There are tons of articles on the internet which boasts about how a clean desk can increase productivity. As a developer I never gave any serious thoughts about organising my workplace. As a matter of fact I like to keep my desk unorganised and messy. Surprised? Well, here’s what I think:
Different opinions
When I look around me, I find people putting great efforts to keep their desk organised and clean. Minimal objects on surface, all accessories in proper place or maybe within one hand distance. I have even read articles where some people go long distances to completely renovate their entire study room, just to create their optimum work-space. All of these so that they can concentrate and focus entirely on their task.
When I get to my desk I just sit and start working. I don’t care what’s lying around, it doesn’t bother me. I don’t need a clean desk to start my work, I just need my laptop.
Ok. But still Why unorganised?
Now, you may say I can clean my desk sometimes, right ?
Well, for starters ever since I have started working with a desk, I have kept it cluttered and since then it has become more of a habit. Even if I or my girlfriend manages to clean it, I end up putting stuff around my machine and make it messy again. Somehow, whenever I see empty spots on my desk I want to fill it immediately.
Another reason being, as a developer we tend to figure out our programming codes by staring into blankness. I have a habit of staring and fiddling with stuff kept around.
Clean desk != productivity
No matter what others preach, at the end of the day it really comes down to every individual’s interests. There’s no strict rule that you will only be productive if your desk is organised and clean. I spend much less time on cleaning and get straight to work. This has been working well since last 6 years or so.
I am also not used to working with extra monitors, just one laptop works for me. My macbook air works super fine no matter where I work. As I said I just need a laptop to start my coding.
Are you a developer or writer? How do you keep your desk?
