The spring time athletic calendar produces a very busy schedule for many athletic department employees. During a busy time, the little things very often take a back seat to more pressing needs. Housekeeping is one of those little things and research is showing it plays a big part in mental health and job stress. Unfortunately, the schedule may not change but the office can change. Here are a few tips to help you declutter the office and ease your workday stress.
Start with Your Desk
In college recruiting, coaches talk about putting a fence around their state. The idea is to select the best available, in-state talent to improve the program. Think like that about cleaning your office. Put a fence around your desk. Clean that area first, and be selective about what items stay in that area. If an item doesn’t help you in your workday, remove it from your immediate desk area. Wipe off your desktop. Clean out your drawers. Restock on needed office supplies. Place the tools needed to help you succeed on, in, or around your desk.
Out with the Old, In with the New
Today, college athletics as a business is dynamic, ever-changing, and always looking for the next best thing. We see this with the facilities arms race. For many fans, replacing an old stadium is stressful. But the industry demands the old memory-filled stadium be renovated or rebuilt to a more modern facility to compete with peer universities. In the office setting, have you ever walked into someone’s office and seen office equipment that took you back in time? It may help you to do the same in your own office. There are old items that can be removed and replaced with newer items. File cabinets are saved on computers and digitized. Computers are small as a hand. Printers are less bulky and easily transported. Look for ways to modernize your office. Learn to let go of the old items by replacing them with newer, more user-friendly upgrades.
Get Coworker Suggestions
Remember that coworker who was vocal about their dislike of the new stadium rendering? Or the administrative assistant who is always opinionated in meetings? A great way to better understand your office’s appeal is to have that coworker give an honest assessment of how your office looks. If your office is as bad as you think, a coworker may share in that opinion. They may suggest ways for you to better organized or even roll up their sleeves to help move stuff around. It is always good to get an outside unbiased opinion and be open to any criticism.
Work-related stress and its effects on mental health are becoming increasingly more important. The workplace is uncontrollable for many employees and that lack of control can add stress. But the personal office space is your domain. You can either control it or have it control you.
About Walter Whitfield
Walter Whitfield is an employee wellness consultant and founder of Lavoro Workplace Wellness where he helps businesses improve their workplace through employee wellness strategies. He has worked with corporations like Chevron, BP, and Seadrill. Walter is a former college athlete for Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns where he competed in cross country and track, winning Sunbelt conference titles in the 3k Steeplechase and 5k. He is married, has 3 kids, and loves all things New Orleans Saints and Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns.