Articles
5 exciting business events in Barcelona this May
16 de April de 2024
Work Minimalism: A Guide to Simplifying Your Daily Routine
Confucius, the renowned Chinese philosopher, teaches us that simplicity and well-being often go hand in hand. This principle applies not only to our personal lives but also to our work. To truly boost productivity, we must learn to prioritize and let go of unnecessary complexity – that’s the essence of work minimalism.
Our brains can get cluttered like a messy hard drive in our daily work lives, making it tough to focus and slowing us down. But there are simple ways to clear out the clutter and work smarter. For example, Lean Thinking helps us adapt to what our customers really need, while Mindfulness trains us to concentrate on one thing at a time – and yes, it works for work too!
However, the vast majority (if not everyone) still believes that the more tasks, tools, meetings, or presentations we have, the more productive we are. That’s why, in this post, we want to debunk this myth and demonstrate that executives can be equally or even more productive when they have less to work with. Let us introduce you to work minimalism.
«Life is simple, but we insist on making it complicated».
What’s work minimalism?
It’s easy to confuse minimalism with certain philosophical beliefs or the “slow movement” — but they’re different. When we look it up, “Minimalism” is about expressing what’s essential by getting rid of what’s not needed. So, in a way, it’s like the saying “less is more”. And this idea also applies to our work lives.
Think about it. Regardless of the size of our ambitions or how efficient we are at work, whether we’re a big-shot executive in a major company or a small business owner just starting, there will always be conflicting interests, limited resources, and never enough time in the day. It’s a constant. But what really matters is how we choose to use that time. It’s in this journey towards work minimalism where the real secret lies. It’s about figuring out what truly adds value to our work and lives, clearing away the excess and distractions along our path.
Work minimalism, therefore, involves focusing our energies solely on essential tasks, promoting efficiency and clarity in our work environment.
Benefits of work minimalism
Fewer distractions = More productivity
You start up your computer, check your email, download a report… Then boom — a WhatsApp notification pops up, followed by a meeting reminder and another email about a project deadline. It’s like a cascade of distractions that keeps us from getting into the work flow and eats away at our precious time.
But what can we do to avoid these distractions? The theory is simple: the fewer things cluttering our minds, the easier it is to focus on our task. The practice, not so much. If we embrace minimalism in the workplace as employees, we can direct our energies toward tasks and projects that truly matter, disregarding unnecessary tools and excess processes. Naturally, this leads to a significant improvement in productivity, allowing us to progress more swiftly and clearly toward our goals without getting lost in tasks that serve no purpose.
Wellbeing and employee satisfaction
Usually, when the workload lightens up, so does the stress and overwhelm. And when everyone in the office feels this way, it sets the stage for a more organized and efficient environment. That’s the beauty of work minimalism — it enhances the team’s emotional well-being. It’s not just about job satisfaction; it’s also about motivating employees by demonstrating that their contributions are valued and quality outweighs quantity.
Encouraging creativity and innovation
A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology revealed that over 80% of research literature supports a link between minimalist living and heightened creativity and innovation. Employees can think more freely and creatively in a clean, distraction-free setting. By prioritizing the essentials, we stimulate our brains to find unique and efficient solutions to seemingly complex problems. This, in turn, enhances the quality and originality of our work.
How to apply it in your daily routine
Be selective with your tasks
Knowing how to say no. Let’s say you have a to-do list: work on a project, read a book, exercise, and attend a language class. If you try to do everything in one day, you’ll likely end up feeling overwhelmed, and it’s possible that none of the activities will receive the attention they deserve.
This also occurs in the workplace. In an ideal scenario, every individual would have a defined role within their company: some would handle the product, others would sell it, and others would provide customer service… However, in reality, many companies lack the resources to hire an employee for each specific function. In such situations, the tendency to multitask and take on multiple roles simultaneously is significant. Yet, often this approach results in tasks being carried out less efficiently.
That’s why prioritizing and delegating become essential: identify which tasks will drive your long-term goals and consider which ones can be assigned to others or postponed for later.
Minimalist workspaces
The Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California, is a prime example of how minimalist environments can enhance team efficiency and creativity. It shows that a clean and organized workspace is more than just about looks; it can actually be a crucial tool for a company’s success. This demonstrates how minimalist workspaces help eliminate distractions and boost productivity. So, keep your desk tidy: everything in its place, no piles of unnecessary files. And when it comes to decor, a touch of inspiration is fine, but remember, the aim is to maintain a clutter-free and welcoming space.
There’s a quote attributed to the writer Joshua Becker that goes: “You don’t need more space, you need less stuff.” These words perfectly encapsulate the essence of minimalism and its application in the workplace. This philosophy not only advocates for a simplified work environment but also promotes a lifestyle that values essence over excess, quality over quantity, and good work over just work.
