Disorganization and Distraction
Modern work culture often equates busyness with effectiveness. Meetings, emails, and constant task-switching dominate our days, leaving little room for deep, reflective thinking. This ceaseless activity doesn’t just exhaust us — it erodes our ability to think strategically.
Eliminate Physical Clutter and Calendar Clutter
Reducing both physical and calendar clutter is essential for creating a more organized, focused, and stress-free life. Physical clutter—such as piles of paper, unused items, or overflowing storage—can create visual noise that drains mental energy and hampers productivity. Clearing out unnecessary belongings and organizing spaces with intention can make daily routines smoother and more efficient. Similarly, calendar clutter—like overcommitting to meetings, events, or tasks—can leave little room for rest, reflection, or meaningful progress. Streamlining your schedule by prioritizing what truly matters, setting boundaries, and allowing for downtime not only enhances time management but also promotes mental clarity and balance. Together, these efforts foster a sense of control and well-being in both your environment and your mind.
Research Supports This
A study published in Harvard Business Review found that employees who spent 20 minutes a day reflecting on their work performed 23 per cent better than those who didn’t. The time invested in thinking paid off in higher-quality output and more innovative problem-solving.
Thinking Allows for Better:
• Reflection - "Han Sei" as the Japanese call it is absolutely crucial to creating a better outcome the next time around with a task or responsibility.
• Planning - Being more methodical and detailed in execution leads to better results - and that means having a plan.
• Creativity -Unstructured thinking time often leads to novel solutions and original ideas.
How TrippNT Can Help
TrippNT offers free 5S training for healthcare and lab professionals (link) and, YES, 5S can apply to your calendar as well.
Additionally, we offer products to help you take control of your work environment, spending less time looking for things or moving things around. And the less time you spend on those wasteful activities - you guessed it - the more time you have to think.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
