Organizing Offices - Is a Messy Workplace Perilous To Your Career?

Does a messy office contribute to a lack of upwardly mobility?

This is the question posed in Monday's "Ask Annie" column in a CNNMoney.com Fortune article.  The answer?  Yes-- and you need to do something about it now, or pay the consequences later.

According to Productivity Specialist (and friend) Christine Reiter, of Time Strategies in Pasadena, California:

"People often don't realize that piles of paper, boxes in corners, and stacks of stuff behind the office door can affect one's upward mobility," she says. "Appearances are important."

Why? "Your office is a reflection of your capabilities," Reiter says. "Even though a messy desk isn't a sign of a character flaw, it does tend to give your managers and peers the impression that the job is too much for you to handle, you can't make decisions, you are not doing the job, or all of the above."

It was fun surprising my friend Chris with the knowledge her expertise was used in the article.  Thanks to Denise Wakeman for forwarding the story.

Readers-- What's your opinion?  Is is important that your work space, desk and office be neat or not?

Comments

[Chris Reiter]

This column captured an important part of business which is often not given much thought by those who have visual work styles and who have paper-stacked and cluttered offices. I have witnessed clients who have been overlooked for promotions and who have lost their jobs because their lack of organization caused them to drop too many important tasks through the cracks. Unfortunately, the lessons were learned too late. I was called in after the fact to help remedy these chaotic situations.

[Cyndi Seidler]

A teacher friend worked with a principal at her school that had such a messy desk / office area that everyone was afraid to leave papers for her there. Some left messages on her chair, some taped them to her computer monitor, and some refused to leave papers with her at all. This went on for years ... although she is no longer the principal, and no longer at the school.

[Ellen Webern]

John, you offer great ideas here and in a blog today I plan to quote your ideas and take this in another direction to show it's links within the brain.... Thanks for your interesting post on this topic...

[Heidi from "Wedding Seed Favors"]

My thought on this is "Do I want people talking about me and my messy desk?" No, I want them talking about my talent, capabilities and winning personality!! (LOL)

[Feng Shui By Fishgirl]

Clutter impedes progess and blocks good ch'i (energy). Getting organized and clearing out clutter from your home and office spaces is the number one thing you can do to improve your feng shui and attract positive opportunities to your life.