From Clutter to Clarity - What My Office Taught Me About Efficiency
Workspace organization—whether cluttered or tidy—reflects individual cognitive styles rather than competence. The article challenges the conventional notion and advocates embracing diverse working habits.
From Clutter to Clarity: What My Office Taught Me About Efficiency
We often associate clean desks with efficiency and messy ones with chaos [1]. But is that always true? My experiences—as a student, a department head, and an observer—led me to question this assumption. This article explores how different workspace styles reflect deeper thinking patterns and what they mean for real productivity.
First Impressions of a Cluttered Genius
During my college years, I had the privilege of learning organic chemistry from one of the most celebrated scientists in the country. His lectures were captivating, filled with patience and insight. However, his personal workspace told a different story. His office desk was a chaotic pile of papers, journals, notebooks, and answer sheets—some gathering dust for weeks [2]. Despite his brilliance, the disorganization left a lasting impression on me. It strengthened my belief that a clean and orderly workspace symbolizes clarity, discipline, and professionalism—qualities I deeply value.
A Cluttered Desk, An Efficient Assistant
Years later, when I was appointed Head of a Unit in my organisation, I encountered a similar scene. My office assistant's desk was a heap of mixed papers, rough sheets, and documents in disarray. While I maintained a spotless desk, his space was anything but. And yet, whenever I needed a document, he would retrieve it within minutes. Despite this efficiency, the unkempt appearance created an uncomfortable impression, especially when visitors came in. I eventually requested that he organize his space to match the professional tone of the office—and my own mindset.
The Discipline of Order—And Its Unexpected Downside
Those who know me or visit my office, wardrobe, or even browse my laptop will see everything neatly arranged. I take pride in this habit and often claim I can locate any item even in complete darkness. So, naturally, I guided my assistant to buy folders, sort papers, and eliminate clutter. I even asked him to discard old supplies and unmatched crockery lying around.
To my satisfaction, the office looked perfect. But ironically, my work efficiency declined. With everything filed away, my assistant could no longer recall exactly where each document was. He often searched multiple files, disrupted the folders, and took longer to find papers. His natural, albeit messy, system had worked better—for both of us.
A Clash of Cognitive Styles
This led me to reflect: Had I unintentionally disrupted his natural workflow in my pursuit of tidiness? Our team now had two extremes—my methodical order and his intuitive chaos—coexisting. And eventually, I noticed that the labelled files were empty again. All the papers were back in one bundled file. His workspace had reverted to disorganization—and efficiency had returned.
That’s when it became clear to me: working styles are deeply personal, shaped by years of cognitive conditioning. Whether one thrives in an organized or disorganized environment depends not on universal rules, but on individual mental wiring.
What Looks Like Chaos May Be a System
Over time, I’ve come to believe that disorganized desks reflect a different, yet valid, philosophy of work. While order helps people like me stay focused, for others it may be limiting or even demotivating. A cluttered desk may serve as a living to-do list, keeping urgent tasks in sight. What looks like chaos to me may actually help others prioritize and process information better.
What the Research Says
Curious to explore this further, I turned to research. Kathleen Vohs and colleagues [3] suggested that messy environments can stimulate creativity, while clean spaces promote discipline and convention. On the other hand, a more recent and methodologically rigorous study by Manzi et al. [4] found no strong link between messy desks and enhanced creativity or executive function. The findings were inconclusive—just like real-life experiences.
The Cluttered Genius, Revisited
Reflecting on all of this, I can’t help but return to that early memory—of my brilliant organic chemistry professor whose cluttered desk contrasted sharply with the clarity of his lectures. At the time, I saw the mess as a contradiction. Now, I understand it differently.
In fact, many of history’s greatest minds embraced disorder. Albert Einstein, famously asked about his chaotic desk, replied:
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
He wasn’t alone. Think of Steve Jobs, Alan Turing, Thomas Edison, and Isaac Newton—each known not only for their genius but also their disorganized workspaces. Their creativity and productivity thrived despite (or perhaps because of) the clutter [5].
Eric Abrahamson, author of A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder, suggests that messy desks often mask an underlying system:
“What seems like a mess can actually be a highly effective prioritizing and accessing system.”
Indeed, in a seemingly chaotic pile, urgent tasks often rise to the top while less important ones drift downward—a natural, intuitive method of triaging work.
So, as I look back, I no longer judge the cluttered desk. Instead, I see it as a different cognitive approach—just as valid and effective as my own. From clutter to clarity, this journey has taught me that the real key to efficiency lies not on the desk, but in the mind.
Final Thoughts: Adapt, Don’t Enforce
So, what do we make of it all? Efficiency isn't defined by whether your desk is spotless or scattered—it’s about how well your workspace supports your way of thinking.
Rather than enforce a uniform sense of order in shared environments, we should respect our colleagues’ natural styles—as long as productivity and professionalism are not compromised. Likewise, no one should feel guilty for working in a way that appears unconventional, if it leads to effective results.
After all, organization is not just physical. It's deeply mental.
References :
1. https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-case-for-finally-cleaning-your-desk
2. https://www.raulpacheco.org/2013/09/are-all-professors-desks-cluttered/
3. Vohs, K. D., Redden, J. P., Rahinel, R. (2013). Physical Order Produces Healthy Choices, Generosity, and Conventionality, Whereas Disorder Produces Creativity, Psychological Science, 24, 1860-1867. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613480186
4. Manzi, A., Durmysheva, Y., Pinegar, S.K., Rogers, A., Ramos, J. (2019), Workspace Disorder Does Not Influence Creativity and Executive Functions, Frontiers in Psychology, 9 , 2018. 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02662
5. https://sciencemadefun.net/blog/cluttered-desk-cluttered-mind-maybe-not/
From Clutter to Clarity: What My Office Taught Me About Efficiency
We often associate clean desks with efficiency and messy ones with chaos [1]. But is that always true? My experiences—as a student, a department head, and an observer—led me to question this assumption. This article explores how different workspace styles reflect deeper thinking patterns and what they mean for real productivity.
First Impressions of a Cluttered Genius
During my college years, I had the privilege of learning organic chemistry from one of the most celebrated scientists in the country. His lectures were captivating, filled with patience and insight. However, his personal workspace told a different story. His office desk was a chaotic pile of papers, journals, notebooks, and answer sheets—some gathering dust for weeks [2]. Despite his brilliance, the disorganization left a lasting impression on me. It strengthened my belief that a clean and orderly workspace symbolizes clarity, discipline, and professionalism—qualities I deeply value.
A Cluttered Desk, An Efficient Assistant
Years later, when I was appointed Head of a Unit in my organisation, I encountered a similar scene. My office assistant's desk was a heap of mixed papers, rough sheets, and documents in disarray. While I maintained a spotless desk, his space was anything but. And yet, whenever I needed a document, he would retrieve it within minutes. Despite this efficiency, the unkempt appearance created an uncomfortable impression, especially when visitors came in. I eventually requested that he organize his space to match the professional tone of the office—and my own mindset.
The Discipline of Order—And Its Unexpected Downside
Those who know me or visit my office, wardrobe, or even browse my laptop will see everything neatly arranged. I take pride in this habit and often claim I can locate any item even in complete darkness. So, naturally, I guided my assistant to buy folders, sort papers, and eliminate clutter. I even asked him to discard old supplies and unmatched crockery lying around.
To my satisfaction, the office looked perfect. But ironically, my work efficiency declined. With everything filed away, my assistant could no longer recall exactly where each document was. He often searched multiple files, disrupted the folders, and took longer to find papers. His natural, albeit messy, system had worked better—for both of us.
A Clash of Cognitive Styles
This led me to reflect: Had I unintentionally disrupted his natural workflow in my pursuit of tidiness? Our team now had two extremes—my methodical order and his intuitive chaos—coexisting. And eventually, I noticed that the labelled files were empty again. All the papers were back in one bundled file. His workspace had reverted to disorganization—and efficiency had returned.
That’s when it became clear to me: working styles are deeply personal, shaped by years of cognitive conditioning. Whether one thrives in an organized or disorganized environment depends not on universal rules, but on individual mental wiring.
What Looks Like Chaos May Be a System
Over time, I’ve come to believe that disorganized desks reflect a different, yet valid, philosophy of work. While order helps people like me stay focused, for others it may be limiting or even demotivating. A cluttered desk may serve as a living to-do list, keeping urgent tasks in sight. What looks like chaos to me may actually help others prioritize and process information better.
What the Research Says
Curious to explore this further, I turned to research. Kathleen Vohs and colleagues [3] suggested that messy environments can stimulate creativity, while clean spaces promote discipline and convention. On the other hand, a more recent and methodologically rigorous study by Manzi et al. [4] found no strong link between messy desks and enhanced creativity or executive function. The findings were inconclusive—just like real-life experiences.
The Cluttered Genius, Revisited
Reflecting on all of this, I can’t help but return to that early memory—of my brilliant organic chemistry professor whose cluttered desk contrasted sharply with the clarity of his lectures. At the time, I saw the mess as a contradiction. Now, I understand it differently.
In fact, many of history’s greatest minds embraced disorder. Albert Einstein, famously asked about his chaotic desk, replied:
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
He wasn’t alone. Think of Steve Jobs, Alan Turing, Thomas Edison, and Isaac Newton—each known not only for their genius but also their disorganized workspaces. Their creativity and productivity thrived despite (or perhaps because of) the clutter [5].
Eric Abrahamson, author of A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder, suggests that messy desks often mask an underlying system:
“What seems like a mess can actually be a highly effective prioritizing and accessing system.”
Indeed, in a seemingly chaotic pile, urgent tasks often rise to the top while less important ones drift downward—a natural, intuitive method of triaging work.
So, as I look back, I no longer judge the cluttered desk. Instead, I see it as a different cognitive approach—just as valid and effective as my own. From clutter to clarity, this journey has taught me that the real key to efficiency lies not on the desk, but in the mind.
Final Thoughts: Adapt, Don’t Enforce
So, what do we make of it all? Efficiency isn't defined by whether your desk is spotless or scattered—it’s about how well your workspace supports your way of thinking.
Rather than enforce a uniform sense of order in shared environments, we should respect our colleagues’ natural styles—as long as productivity and professionalism are not compromised. Likewise, no one should feel guilty for working in a way that appears unconventional, if it leads to effective results.
After all, organization is not just physical. It's deeply mental.
References :
1. https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-case-for-finally-cleaning-your-desk
2. https://www.raulpacheco.org/2013/09/are-all-professors-desks-cluttered/
3. Vohs, K. D., Redden, J. P., Rahinel, R. (2013). Physical Order Produces Healthy Choices, Generosity, and Conventionality, Whereas Disorder Produces Creativity, Psychological Science, 24, 1860-1867. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613480186
4. Manzi, A., Durmysheva, Y., Pinegar, S.K., Rogers, A., Ramos, J. (2019), Workspace Disorder Does Not Influence Creativity and Executive Functions, Frontiers in Psychology, 9 , 2018. 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02662
5. https://sciencemadefun.net/blog/cluttered-desk-cluttered-mind-maybe-not/
From Clutter to Clarity: What My Office Taught Me About Efficiency
We often associate clean desks with efficiency and messy ones with chaos [1]. But is that always true? My experiences—as a student, a department head, and an observer—led me to question this assumption. This article explores how different workspace styles reflect deeper thinking patterns and what they mean for real productivity.
First Impressions of a Cluttered Genius
During my college years, I had the privilege of learning organic chemistry from one of the most celebrated scientists in the country. His lectures were captivating, filled with patience and insight. However, his personal workspace told a different story. His office desk was a chaotic pile of papers, journals, notebooks, and answer sheets—some gathering dust for weeks [2]. Despite his brilliance, the disorganization left a lasting impression on me. It strengthened my belief that a clean and orderly workspace symbolizes clarity, discipline, and professionalism—qualities I deeply value.
A Cluttered Desk, An Efficient Assistant
Years later, when I was appointed Head of a Unit in my organisation, I encountered a similar scene. My office assistant's desk was a heap of mixed papers, rough sheets, and documents in disarray. While I maintained a spotless desk, his space was anything but. And yet, whenever I needed a document, he would retrieve it within minutes. Despite this efficiency, the unkempt appearance created an uncomfortable impression, especially when visitors came in. I eventually requested that he organize his space to match the professional tone of the office—and my own mindset.
The Discipline of Order—And Its Unexpected Downside
Those who know me or visit my office, wardrobe, or even browse my laptop will see everything neatly arranged. I take pride in this habit and often claim I can locate any item even in complete darkness. So, naturally, I guided my assistant to buy folders, sort papers, and eliminate clutter. I even asked him to discard old supplies and unmatched crockery lying around.
To my satisfaction, the office looked perfect. But ironically, my work efficiency declined. With everything filed away, my assistant could no longer recall exactly where each document was. He often searched multiple files, disrupted the folders, and took longer to find papers. His natural, albeit messy, system had worked better—for both of us.
A Clash of Cognitive Styles
This led me to reflect: Had I unintentionally disrupted his natural workflow in my pursuit of tidiness? Our team now had two extremes—my methodical order and his intuitive chaos—coexisting. And eventually, I noticed that the labelled files were empty again. All the papers were back in one bundled file. His workspace had reverted to disorganization—and efficiency had returned.
That’s when it became clear to me: working styles are deeply personal, shaped by years of cognitive conditioning. Whether one thrives in an organized or disorganized environment depends not on universal rules, but on individual mental wiring.
What Looks Like Chaos May Be a System
Over time, I’ve come to believe that disorganized desks reflect a different, yet valid, philosophy of work. While order helps people like me stay focused, for others it may be limiting or even demotivating. A cluttered desk may serve as a living to-do list, keeping urgent tasks in sight. What looks like chaos to me may actually help others prioritize and process information better.
What the Research Says
Curious to explore this further, I turned to research. Kathleen Vohs and colleagues [3] suggested that messy environments can stimulate creativity, while clean spaces promote discipline and convention. On the other hand, a more recent and methodologically rigorous study by Manzi et al. [4] found no strong link between messy desks and enhanced creativity or executive function. The findings were inconclusive—just like real-life experiences.
The Cluttered Genius, Revisited
Reflecting on all of this, I can’t help but return to that early memory—of my brilliant organic chemistry professor whose cluttered desk contrasted sharply with the clarity of his lectures. At the time, I saw the mess as a contradiction. Now, I understand it differently.
In fact, many of history’s greatest minds embraced disorder. Albert Einstein, famously asked about his chaotic desk, replied:
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
He wasn’t alone. Think of Steve Jobs, Alan Turing, Thomas Edison, and Isaac Newton—each known not only for their genius but also their disorganized workspaces. Their creativity and productivity thrived despite (or perhaps because of) the clutter [5].
Eric Abrahamson, author of A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder, suggests that messy desks often mask an underlying system:
“What seems like a mess can actually be a highly effective prioritizing and accessing system.”
Indeed, in a seemingly chaotic pile, urgent tasks often rise to the top while less important ones drift downward—a natural, intuitive method of triaging work.
So, as I look back, I no longer judge the cluttered desk. Instead, I see it as a different cognitive approach—just as valid and effective as my own. From clutter to clarity, this journey has taught me that the real key to efficiency lies not on the desk, but in the mind.
Final Thoughts: Adapt, Don’t Enforce
So, what do we make of it all? Efficiency isn't defined by whether your desk is spotless or scattered—it’s about how well your workspace supports your way of thinking.
Rather than enforce a uniform sense of order in shared environments, we should respect our colleagues’ natural styles—as long as productivity and professionalism are not compromised. Likewise, no one should feel guilty for working in a way that appears unconventional, if it leads to effective results.
After all, organization is not just physical. It's deeply mental.
References :
1. https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-case-for-finally-cleaning-your-desk
2. https://www.raulpacheco.org/2013/09/are-all-professors-desks-cluttered/
3. Vohs, K. D., Redden, J. P., Rahinel, R. (2013). Physical Order Produces Healthy Choices, Generosity, and Conventionality, Whereas Disorder Produces Creativity, Psychological Science, 24, 1860-1867. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613480186
4. Manzi, A., Durmysheva, Y., Pinegar, S.K., Rogers, A., Ramos, J. (2019), Workspace Disorder Does Not Influence Creativity and Executive Functions, Frontiers in Psychology, 9 , 2018. 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02662
5. https://sciencemadefun.net/blog/cluttered-desk-cluttered-mind-maybe-not/