Tips for spring cleaning at work to boost productivity

Spring has officially arrived, and it's starting to feel like it too, with the trees budding and more birds chirping outside of our office windows. The season's arrival has long been associated with cleaning and organizing our homes, but the new season also presents an opportunity to re-evaluate and reset in all areas of our lives, including work.

Using the change of seasons as a reset can help us boost productivity, increase focus and, ultimately, show up to work with a better mindset.

Spring cleaning is a great way to filter all the unnecessary or ineffective stuff and redistribute your resources wisely. We need to be focused and productive every day for success and this is like doing a check up for your everyday routine.

We spoke to a few professionals to learn what they recommend workers add to their spring cleaning checklist.

1: Look at what's bringing you joy

Look at your calendar and see what causes you distress or makes you more anxious and then things that give you joy. Is the ratio comfortable for you?

If you have an opportunity to move things around, we suggest you do it. While sometimes we might not have the power to change everything we want that's not bringing us joy at work, there are some things we can do.

For example, if there is a meeting that is causing you stress because it's right before you need to pick your child up from school, it would be worthwhile to ask whoever it's with if it can be moved. Or, if you are working with someone who has a different way of going about things, it could be helpful to add a call with them to figure out the best way together so that both parties can be successful.

While you might not be able to do it today, as you look at April or May, there is an opportunity to really restructure your workday and your time.

2: Redefine relationship dynamics

If you haven't been happy with how your dynamic is with a boss or colleague, it might be the right time to schedule a meeting to discuss how the relationship could operate better for everyone.

It's all about ensuring alignment of goals between colleagues.

We're trying to practice radical candor to provide clear feedback, help people grow and foster internal mobility. It's getting in line with your own ambitions and skills and the current business needs.

While it requires psychological safety to have those conversations, they usually pay off, creating a win-win for workers and the company.

Personal development should be the main focus for daily workflow. On the side of leaders who are partaking in spring cleaning, it's worth eliminating excessive supervision, which can result in decreased engagement.

3: Clean your physical workspace

Whether you're working at home or in the office, or on a hybrid schedule, it's worthwhile to spruce up your work area.

Whether it's digitally or in a physical workspace, a lot of people look at how their office is designed. Having a beautiful physical workspace is really important.

This could look like swapping an old printer you don't use for a potted plant, or organizing a stack of books and putting them on a new bookshelf.

Changing out your post-it notes, displaying new photos of your family or friends, or changing the layout of the room can help create a more rejuvenated and revitalized feeling for your office space.