how bad is a messy desk?
i believe that one's appearance, whether it is personal, in the workplace, at home, their vehicles or anything or anyone. Show's the contents of their inner self, state of mind and the contents of their character.
I think a messy desk reflects a negative message to all who see it and have to deal with it.
Yes it's true Mitchell. Though some instructors are more productive and efficient when their desks are disorganized, it can send the wrong message to their colleagues and administration.
A messy desk show signs of disorganization, and sends a negative tone to the people that work around you. Its almost like a person who dresses very sloppy, they may be comfortable, but what message are they conveying to the people that work around them.
I think that assuming that a messy desk reflects some sort of weakness is a bridge too far...I agree with some of the other comments that everyone should do what works for them. Perception is important, but delivering on results is more important.
Sounds like you are one of the lucky ones with your two youngest children Charles!
Organization starts out at an early age... Some people, like my 2 youngest children, are born with a switch that when it clicks they clean and put everything away in its own place. And some have to be taught how to organize.
I find it extremely difficult to operate with a cluttered or messy desk. I need the organization that a neat desk offers. I know some people can navigate their way effectively with a messy desk, and I applaud them, but I need to have everything in its place or I am not very effective and lots of time is wasted looking for things.
Judith, I agree with you to an extent. However, I think it’s important to realize that (like learning styles), not everyone organizes their lives in the same manner. I feel that this module’s focus was more about organizing your life according to what works for you. Notice the part about creating barriers between your space and that of your office mate. I found this very informative. Thanks for the food for thought!
I agree and disagree with this statement. I my self are a mixture of both car is a little messy small things in personal life is a little off but all things professional are in order. I think life can be a balanceing act. As long as the right things get balanced and not lost in the mix.
Ha! That definitely says something about the way your mind works Shukmei!
It's so true! The enviroment reflect the personality. I like to be clean and well organice. Therefore, my office always has space regardless how many papers and books I have. My house is so origanize that I can find my materials whenever I need.
Very stressful indeed Jose. Sometimes, if you can meet with the person who you share with, you can come up with some compromises that make sharing a little better. For example, if you share an office, you can each claim a drawer.
this is a perfect example of how it is when you share the same office, lab, desk with other people, not every one is committed to a clean and organized environment and it takes a toll on you because it seems like you never finish cleaning your desk, this could be very stressful.
This is an important point Jim. On one hand, we should use the organizational style that helps us stay most effective in completing tasks. On the other hand, we need to carefully consider how others perceive us.
"Whatever works for you"
to me sounds just like:
"whatever is easy for you"
seems self-explanatory enough.
whatever happened to the basics such as cleanliness and order are virtues?
One's appearance whether it is good or bad is a personal judgement from someone else. One item on a desk could show a messy desk to one person and an absolutely clean desk to someone else. If the persons desk is in order where the person at the desk knows exactly where every thing is and uses each item, to that person it is well organized, but yet to a casual observer who does not know this person, or how organized he is, the desk may appear to be totally cluttered and amess, which is the wrong assumption!
I absolutely agree with your response Judith. How a person keeps their desk and important materials are a direct reflection of them as a person as a whole. I never met a person whose desk was really messy and dis-organized, yet their homes were in very neat order. Its all of these tell tale signs that give us a projection about a person and how they live their own lives wholistically. Mitchell Becker CCC,CCE
Different organizational styles work for different kinds of instructors - but it sounds like you've identified the best style for you Matthew!
