After six years of dedicating myself to fighting disorganization—both in my personal life and throughout our entire organization at TrippNT—I believe I’ve found a solid answer to this question. And as emotionally charged as the moment can feel, you may not find the answer very satisfying.
The truth is: no, they’re not doing it to frustrate you.
I know, I know—it doesn’t feel that way when your co-worker swipes the film seal roller from your bench because they couldn’t find theirs. In moments like that, it can feel as if you’re being punished for being organized rather than rewarded for your effort to maintain order. But in almost every case I’ve encountered during my time working to shift our culture from chaotic to organized, disorganized behavior is not an intentional act of sabotage or disrespect.
So if it’s not personal—if it’s not about punishing the organized—what’s really going on?
As the leader of TrippNT, it's my responsibility to ensure that everyone in our organization performs at their highest potential. Achieving that level of excellence requires a clean, efficient, and well-functioning workspace. And while organization isn’t the only factor, it’s a critical one. So we had to dig deeper.
Making the Case for Organization
One of the most powerful ways I’ve found to understand this challenge, through reading, observing, and leading—was by looking inward. I asked myself: What kept me from investing time and energy in tasks that support the “real” work? Tasks like loading the centrifuge, cleaning glassware, processing samples, or hunting for a missing tool. These are the foundational activities that position us for success, but they’re often overlooked.
Here’s what I discovered: every one of us is living out our own internal narrative where we are the hero of the story. And as heroes, we want to skip to the good part—the victory. We want to defeat the dragon, solve the big problem, earn the promotion, or get the recognition. Think about your own story. What’s your goal? Do you want to get published, find a cure, hit a performance milestone, or just pack the healthiest lunch for your child?
Whatever it is, it often feels like you against the world. And with that sense of mission comes fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Will I make the cut? Will I solve the problem? The future is unknown—and humans are hardwired to dislike uncertainty. So we hyper-focus on anything that promises to give us clarity and progress toward our goal.
This is where disorganization creeps in.
Returning the film seal roller doesn’t feel like it brings us any closer to finding a cure or getting that paper published. So it falls to the bottom of the priority list. Not out of malice or laziness, but because it doesn’t seem directly tied to the hero’s success.
Connecting the Dots
After studying disorganization for more than five years and experimenting with a variety of techniques, we’ve learned a lot at TrippNT. Our goal is to help a diverse group of people operate as a high-functioning, synchronized team with minimal wasted effort and maximum motivation.
To do that, everyone must be organized.
The breakthrough came when we stopped talking about organization as a moral or procedural duty and started connecting it to each person’s individual story. We reframed it as: How does being organized help you win the day? How does it help you get that promotion, publish that paper, or even take that dream vacation?
We focused on awareness and education. For example:
- How much time do you lose every week not knowing where basic tools are?
- Are you gaining anything by walking 25 extra steps for a Kimwipe—only to find the box is empty?
- How are these tiny inefficiencies getting you closer to your goals?
When we started linking organization to personal aspirations, we saw a measurable shift. People began to prioritize being organized, not just because it’s a good practice—but because it moved them closer to what they truly care about.
A Tool to Try
I’d like to share a hands-on exercise that a friend introduced me to—one that we now use at TrippNT, especially during facility tours (which, by the way, you’re welcome to attend free of charge). It’s a powerful and simple way to demonstrate just how much time and energy disorganization can waste. You’ll need about 15 minutes and a small group to do it.
There are three timed rounds, each lasting 30 seconds.
1. Round One: Disorganized Search
Use this image that represents disorganization—random numbers scattered across a page, for example. Print the page, place it face down, hand the participant a pen, and ask them to flip it over and start circling numbers in order: 1, then 2, then 3, and so on.
Set a timer for 30 seconds and see how far they get.
2. Round Two: Organized Search
Now, use a version of the same image—but with the numbers neatly organized into a grid or clear structure. Repeat the exercise: face down, flip, and find as many numbers in order as possible in 30 seconds.
3. Round Three: Reflect and Discuss
The difference in results usually speaks for itself. But take a moment to reflect with the group. What changed? How did the organization help? What does that tell us about our workspaces, tools, and routines?
Success in both rounds should be celebrated—everyone’s skill level differs—but the insight is universal: organization saves time and mental energy. And when you’re the hero of your story, those are two things you can’t afford to waste.
Best,
Seb McLeod