Adopting Minimalism in Workspaces

Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant and author of the best-selling book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”. She has a simple philosophy: keep only what sparks joy and discard the rest. But what if we apply this principle not only to our physical space, but also to our mental space? What if we could Marie Kondo our mind? "Simplify your space, systematize your work, streamline your schedule. Marie Kondo your mind." That’s the mantra I live by every day. Why? Because clutter is the enemy of productivity, creativity, and happiness. Clutter can be physical, mental, or digital. It can distract you, overwhelm you, and drain you. But there’s a way to fight back. How? By following these steps: 1. Simplify your space. • A cluttered environment can lead to a cluttered mind. • Research shows that physical clutter can increase stress, reduce focus, and impair creativity. • To simplify your space, follow Marie Kondo’s advice: sort your belongings into categories, keep only what sparks joy, and store them neatly. • You’ll feel more calm, productive, and inspired. 2. Systematize your work. • A chaotic workflow can lead to a chaotic mind. • Research shows that multitasking can reduce productivity, lower IQ, and damage brain cells. • To systematize your work, follow these steps: prioritize your tasks, batch similar ones together, eliminate distractions, and focus on one thing at a time. • You’ll get more done, faster, and better. 3. Streamline your schedule. • A hectic schedule can lead to a hectic mind. • Research shows that overcommitment can cause burnout, anxiety, and depression. • To streamline your schedule, follow these tips: set boundaries, say no to unimportant requests, delegate or outsource tasks that are not your strengths, and carve out time for yourself. • You’ll have more energy, happiness, and balance. These are the principles that have helped me transform my life and business. They can help you too. Don’t let clutter get in the way of your success and happiness. Simplify your space, systematize your work, streamline your schedule. Marie Kondo your mind. You’ll thank me later.

Master Your Day with These Organizational Hacks 👇 Stay on top of your tasks, reduce stress, and boost productivity with these practical tips for staying organized at work or home. 🗂️ Prompt 1: Workspace Reset Plan Declutter your desk and create a system that works for you. Sort items into “Keep,” “Toss,” and “File” categories. Use labeled trays for "Inbox," "Action Items," and "To Be Filed." Rate your workspace's functionality before and after the reset to track improvement. 🗂️ Prompt 2: Time Management Pro Plan your day with time blocking. Assign specific time slots for focused work, meetings, and breaks. Create three variations of your schedule: one for deep work, one for collaborative tasks, and one for admin work. Evaluate which schedule maximizes productivity. 🗂️ Prompt 3: Task Prioritization Matrix Organize your to-do list using a prioritization matrix: label tasks as “Urgent,” “Important,” “Low Priority,” or “Delegate.” Focus on high-impact tasks first (your “frog”). Track how much time you save by sticking to this system. 🗂️ Prompt 4: Digital Organization Blueprint Streamline your digital workspace by organizing files into folders based on projects or categories. Use color-coded labels for quick access. Set up an email system with folders for “Action Required,” “Waiting On,” and “Reference.” Clear your inbox weekly to maintain focus. 🗂️ Prompt 5: Routine Builder Establish a daily routine that includes morning planning, midday check-ins, and evening reviews. Include habits like reviewing goals, updating your planner, and tidying up your workspace. Track how consistency improves your efficiency over time. 🗂️ Prompt 6: Focus Booster Techniques Use the Pomodoro Technique to stay on task—work in 25-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks, followed by a longer break after four cycles. Alternatively, try timeboxing to limit how long you spend on each task. Measure how these methods increase focus and reduce procrastination. 🗂️ Prompt 7: Goal Alignment Tracker Set weekly goals aligned with your long-term objectives. Break them into actionable steps and track progress daily. Use tools like checklists or apps to monitor completion rates and adjust as needed to stay on target. 🗂️ Prompt 8: Collaboration Enhancer Delegate tasks effectively by identifying responsibilities that can be shared or outsourced. Provide clear instructions and deadlines to team members. Track how delegation frees up time for high-priority work. 🗂️ Prompt 9: Reflection & Review System At the end of each week, review what worked well and what didn’t in your organizational strategy. Adjust your systems accordingly to improve efficiency next week. Use journaling or task management apps to document insights and progress. 👉 Follow me for more productivity tips! 🔄 Share this post to help others stay organized and achieve their goals!

12 steps to protect your focus - And develop a deep work routine: (5 and 6 are so important) 1) Prioritize ↳Before you begin, pick just 1 task you want to work on (no multitasking) ↳Choose your "frog" - the important item you've been putting off 2) Protect the time ↳Find a window of at least 1 hour (2-3 is even better) and block it on your calendar ↳Experiment to find the time when you're most productive and focused 3) Find a space ↳Choose a location where you can close the door and limit distractions ↳Ask others not to interrupt you when you're in there 4) Prepare ↳Download files and gather resources you'll need to complete the work ↳Go to the bathroom, grab a water, and anticipate any other needs 5) Put your phone away ↳Switch your phone to airplane mode and put it out of reach ↳Do NOT look at it until you're finished - that friend's text can wait 6) Shut apps  ↳Close anything on your computer that has notifications, like email and Slack ↳X out of any distracting tabs like news sites or social media 7) Grab a pen and pad ↳It's impossible to stop to-dos and other thoughts from popping into your head ↳Simply write them down when you think of them and then move on 8) Use headphones ↳If you're particularly sensitive to sound, try noise-canceling headphones ↳Find what's best for you: playing nothing at all, white noise, or music without lyrics 9) Clear your mind ↳When everything is ready, pause before diving in to briefly relax ↳You can simply close your eyes and breathe, or do a 1-minute meditation 10) Use a timer ↳Set a timer so you don't have to worry about watching the clock ↳Experiment with techniques like Pomodoro to work and break in intervals 11) Improve ↳After every time you do deep work, reflect on what helped and hurt your focus ↳Make improvements each time to consistently enhance your productivity 12) Handle the basics ↳Exhaustion, hunger, and lack of exercise can be even worse for focus than your phone ↳Get adequate sleep, eat well, and move your body every day Just two hours of deep work can beat a full day of distracted work. Use this checklist to focus deeply on your most important tasks, And turbocharge your productivity. P.S. I'm always curious to hear: When do you get your best deep work done? --- ♻ Repost to help your network be more productive. And follow me George Stern for more. If you want the high-res PDF of this sheet, sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gpe6Q3V6

“Let’s have a meeting to talk about meetings,” said no one ever. But maybe we should. A Microsoft global survey found the #1 workplace distraction is inefficient meetings. The #2? Too many of them. Sound familiar? Last week, I led a meeting effectiveness workshop for a team of 15 at the request of their practice leader—who happens to be my husband. His team’s meeting struggles? Rambling discussions, uneven engagement, unclear outcomes, and lack of follow-through. He thought a meeting AI tool might fix it. Nope. AI can help document meetings, but it can’t make people prepare better, participate more, or drive decisions. The fix? It’s not “Have an agenda”. It’s setting the right meeting norms. My husband was hesitant to put me in the late morning slot–worried the team would tune out before lunch. I told him, “Put me in, coach. I’ll show you engagement.” And I did. For 90 minutes, we tackled meeting norms head-on through interactive discussions and small group exercises. Here are 5 norms they worked through to transform their meetings: 1️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. An agenda is a list of topics. A purpose answers: What critical decision needs to be made? What problem are we solving? Why does this require a discussion? If you can’t summarize the purpose in one sentence with an action verb, you don’t need a meeting. 2️⃣ 𝗕𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺. Some discussions only need two people; others require a small group or the full team. Match the participants and group size to the topic and purpose.  3️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲. Before the meeting, define the problem or goal. Identify potential solutions. Recommend one. Outline your criteria for selecting the solution(s). Back it up with data or other relevant information. Preparation = productivity. 4️⃣ 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. A good facilitator keeps conversations on track, reins in tangents, and ensures all voices –not just the loudest–are heard. Facilitation matters more than the agenda. 5️⃣ 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀. Summarize decisions. Assign action items. Set deadlines. Follow-up to ensure accountability and progress. A meeting without follow-through is just wasted time. The outcome of the workshop? 100% engagement. (One person even admitted she normally tunes out in these things but stayed engaged the entire time!) More importantly, the team aligned on meeting norms and left with actionable steps to improve. Want better meetings? Set better norms. Focus on facilitation. What’s one meeting tip that’s worked well for your team?

As someone juggling multiple projects and needing to stay on top of everything, I know how overwhelming it can get—especially when your desktop looks like chaos! Here’s my setup: 📂 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐨𝐰: For files I’m actively working on, like presentations or ongoing programs. 📂 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭: High-priority items that need my attention soon. 📂 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐬: Resources I need when preparing or presenting demos. With this system: ✅ I spend less time searching for files. ✅ My mental clutter is reduced (a clear workspace = a clear mind!). ✅ It’s easier to focus on what’s important now. For me, the real benefit, it’s in reducing the mental load that comes with clutter. It’s a simple system that works with my brain, not against it. 💡 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦: 1️⃣ Use a desktop wallpaper with zones to visually organize your files. 2️⃣ Label the sections based on what makes sense for you (projects, deadlines, etc.). 3️⃣ Clean up weekly to maintain order. This small change has saved me hours each week and helps me stay focused on what really matters. 🌟 And it gives me joy every time I look at it.

Your biggest problem isn’t a lack of time. It’s too many things pulling you in different directions. Distraction is the enemy of excellence. You sit down to work. - Then you check a notification. - Then an email. - Then you remember the laundry. - Then you’re back to your work, but your brain’s fogged. If you want to do great work, you need less noise. Here are 9 simple ways to start cutting it. 1. Turn off all notifications. Not most. All. If someone needs you, they can call. Everything else can wait. 2. Delete one app that wastes your time. Not all of them. Just start with one. You already know which one it is. It’s the one you open when you feel tired. - Or bored. - Or anxious. Delete it for a week. Watch your brain start breathing again. 3. Use one tab at a time. Stop working with 14 tabs open. It tricks your brain into feeling productive. But you’re not doing deep work. You’re just spinning. Pick a task. Open one tab. Do that. 4. Work in blocks. Set a timer for 45 minutes. Then go. No breaks. No peeks. When the timer goes off, stand up. Stretch. Walk. Then repeat. 5. Put your phone in another room. Out of sight. Out of reach. Even on silent, it pulls on your mind. Your brain is craving novelty. Don’t feed it. 6. Say no more often. You don’t need to go to every meeting. You don’t need to reply right away. You don’t need to say yes to every invite. Distraction loves when you say yes without thinking. Learn to pause. Then say no. 7. Get outside every day. Even for five minutes. Sunlight resets your mind. Movement clears your head. Nature is not a luxury. It’s a requirement. Staring at a screen all day is not normal. It dulls your mind. 8. Keep a notepad by your side. When random thoughts hit, don’t chase them. Write them down. Then get back to work. This is how you build a calm brain. You learn not to follow every thought like a dog chasing cars. 9. Clean your workspace. Clutter is silent chaos. It steals your focus. Clear your desk. Keep only what you need. Your brain will thank you. You don’t need a new app. Or a productivity course. You just need fewer distractions. The good news? - You’re in control. - Not your phone. - Not your inbox. - Not your to-do list. Start with one change. Then another. Simplicity is powerful. In the end, you don’t get your best ideas in a rush. - You don’t do your best work in a crowd. You do it when your mind is quiet. And your path is clear. ♻️ Repost to help others. ➕ Follow Nathan Crockett, PhD for more

I cannot stress enough how critically important it is to take the time to build out systems that allow you to spend 0 time thinking about where your files are or how to access them. I have saved countless hours by taking more time upfront to set proper workflows and storage space for all my working and personal files. Some general principles to get you started: 1️⃣ Nothing is allowed to float - EVER. Don't let files float in your downloads folder or on your desktop. It will take you twice as long (if you are lucky) to find the file you need if things are allowed to float. Here is an example: Need to pull up a text editor to take notes during a meeting? The FIRST thing you are doing after that meeting is over is saving those notes (with a proper file name!) and storing it in the correct project location. Which brings me to point number 2: 2️⃣ Have a unique project location for every project. Projects of a similar type should all follow the same storage structure, but each project needs to have its own unique working space - no overlap. Example: Have two different projects for the same client? - each of those projects needs its own distinct working space to prevent misplacing items. 3️⃣ Have a specific system for each different file type you work with. Take and store meeting minutes the same way you do across all projects. Create, edit, and store deliverables the same way you do across all projects. Consistency is Key. 4️⃣ Last but not least - don't wait until the last minute to do these things - keep up with your notes and file saving as you work on these items. In the first example above where you pulled open a text editor to take meeting minutes - don't get in that situation in the first place. You should have your meeting minutes template opened and filled out with the meeting details already entered ahead of time. Work can be hard sometimes - no reason to make it harder on yourself - stay organized out there. Happy Sunday

“I’m not smart enough to be disorganized!" That was a half-joking comment I made to a co-worker who commented one day on my office. Even when I was starting out, I knew that a cluttered workspace definitely would not help me to focus and get things done. Ever feel like you’re ready to dive into work, only to be distracted by a messy desk, crooked picture on the wall, or a squeaky chair? Small annoyances might seem harmless, but they can quietly steal your focus and drain your energy. Here’s how to clear the path for productivity: 1. Make a List: Walk through your space and write down every little annoyance—clutter, repairs, messes, or lingering to-dos. 2. Take Action: Start small with quick wins, like filing papers or organizing a drawer. For bigger tasks, schedule time or hire help if needed. 3. Stay Ahead: Revisit your list regularly to keep your environment supportive and distraction-free. Your environment has a direct impact on your mindset. Clear the mess, fix what’s broken, and create a space that actually fuels your focus and success. What’s one thing in your workspace you’ll tackle today? Share below! #judyselby #selbystrategies #productivitytips #mindsetmatters #focusonyourgoals #workspaceorganization #BeElite #BeUncommon

This is insane: the average employee attends over 𝟲𝟬 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 a month. As a leader, here's 𝟲 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺'𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘀 (so they can focus more time and energy on the work that matters most): 1. 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀. If someone asks to schedule time with you, ask them if what they need can be solved with an email instead. The answer is usually "yes".     2. 𝗔𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 is the new norm. Get comfy with voice memos (Slack, WhatsApp, LinkedIn), video recordings, email, shared folders, etc. to capture and distribute information in a way that allows your team to process it when it makes sense for their work schedule.     3. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 lend credit to the idea that you "need" to meet on a regular basis to ensure productivity. This is a lie. Eliminate as many as possible, keep those that remain as brief as possible. 4. Learn to say "𝗻𝗼". It's not rude; it's respectful to your time and theirs. If a meeting does not have a clear purpose, clear actionable outcomes, or a clear direct impact to the metrics you and your team are responsible for achieving, consider why you're even saying "yes" in the first place. 5. When a meeting is absolutely necessary, 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 to mitigate wasted time. Meetings aren't locked into two sizes: 30 mins and 60 mins. Set 15 minute meetings, 20 minute meetings, 40 minute meetings. Shave time whenever you can - this gives your team time back and models efficient meeting behaviors. 6. Invite only those who are actively being called on to contribute. The more people you have in a meeting, the harder it is to reach consensus and have meaningful conversation. Make decisions more rapidly by 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 (have them gather input from others who won't be in attendance ahead of time, if needed). I recognize, for some of you, these suggestions are a colossal shift in the way you work. It can seem overwhelming. Let's recall: the average person is in over 60 meetings 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛. If that person is paid an average annual wage of ~$80k, and those meetings average about 1 hour each, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 $𝟮𝟴,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 for them to sit in meetings. Now, multiply that by the number of people in your company. You can implement these 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗬 wins right now to make everyone's lives easier. Trust me, your team will thank you. Do you have other suggestions to guard against excessive meetings? Drop 'em below! 👇 #Meetings #PeopleFirst #Culture #ProductivityHack #TimeHack