About The Sundance Company Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
Every day is full of important tasks, major projects, and personal errands that you can no longer afford to put off. And that’s just the beginning of your never-ending “to-do” list.
Oh, and your desk is a mess.
The question is: Where do you start?
While every situation is unique, and various factors will play a role in how you organize your day, there’s a scientific argument for tackling one of these tasks before the others, namely:
You should start by cleaning your desk.
Cleaning up your desk (or office, or closet, or room) is a surprisingly simple way to exercise emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage emotions. But what exactly are the mental and emotional benefits of cleaning up your desk? How can doing so help you feel better about the path ahead, and help you to make better decisions?
Let’s break it down.
The scientific case for cleaning up
As I listened to a recent psychologist’s lecture, a powerful statement stuck with me:
“Landscapes that are cluttered by obstacles produce negative emotion.”
In other words, when we’re trying to accomplish something, every obstacle that stands in your way makes your task harder. Which means, the first step in getting your day in order-; or sometimes even getting your life in order-;is to start with the first obstacle.
That’s what makes cleaning up and getting organized so effective-; because every obstacle you get out of your way helps you to think more clearly. In turn, clear thinking leads to emotional well-being. Additionally, the accomplishment of cleaning up gives you self-confidence and motivation that you can carry forward.
There are tons of scientific research to support this conclusion. For example, consider the following:
Through techniques like brain imaging, scientists at Princeton University demonstrated how a person’s visual cortex can become overwhelmed by clutter, making focus difficult. In contrast, when participants uncluttered their work environment, they were less irritable and distracted, and productivity increased.
A study by members of DePaul University’s psychology department found that by at least one measure, clutter was the best predictor of procrastination and that it interfered with a strong quality of life.
In 2009, psychologists at UCLA found that subjects who felt their homes were very cluttered experienced increased feelings of depression and were measured to have increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which researchers say can lead to negative health conditions.
As you can see, tidying up can positively influence your thoughts, emotions, and decision making. But how can you apply these learnings into your life?
Here are a few tips:
Start small. Start each day by taking a few minutes to organize your space. Or even better, do this at the conclusion of your day, so you start the next day fresh. Do the same for your computer desktop. Later, you can take more time to do your office or your home. Taking on a larger job, like organizing your office, or even your house, may seem overwhelming…so start only with what you can handle. Focus on the parts of the areas you use most. Use the five-minute rule to work on one small task at a time: promise yourself you’ll do just five minutes and quit if you feel like it. This is another psychological device that “tricks” your mind into getting started because the task now feels manageable-; but many times, leads to getting much more done than you anticipated.
Schedule “maintenance” time. Getting organized is one thing; staying organized is another. So, why not schedule time each day to spend on “organization maintenance”? You’ll find that just ten to fifteen minutes a day will work wonders for your productivity, and your mental health. In turn, this type of daily maintenance makes cleanup easier, so you’re not challenged with a huge cleaning project that seems too overwhelming to start.
Make cleaning fun. For teams and organizations, Bond Business School Professor Libby Sander recommends establishing regular “spring cleaning” days for departments or teams, complete with pizza. Doing so “can create social interaction and support around a task that most people don’t enjoy,” Sanders says. She also recommends instituting a “clean-desk policy” to help keep shared workspaces tidy-; you can do the same for yourself, or your own “teams” at work and at home, including your family.
And what if all these suggestions seem like too much?
Do what you can, one step at a time. Each action you take is another step forward, and that’s progress you can be proud of.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to organize your space.
Because the less cluttered your desk, the less cluttered your mind. By removing obstacles, you’ll also remove negative emotions-; and put yourself in a better state to handle the challenges that lie ahead.
Portions of this article originally appeared on the Inc. website.
The Sundance Company Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
Located at the corner of Eagle and Overland Roads, in the Silverstone Park, the Silverstone Amenity Center is right in the heart of the Boise Valley, and the ideal location to help your company if you are hosting a business meeting, corporate retreat, or employee party. No detail has been overlooked in any of the Silverstone Amenity Center conference and meeting rooms, which feature the integration of high-tech audio/visual capabilities, wireless internet, and video teleconferencing. The Silverstone Amenity Center is the perfect location for any occasion, and booking a room is a quick and easy process. The venues at the the Silverstone Amenity Center offer a variety of options. You will be able to choose the meeting room that is right for your purposes, whether you need a small room for an intimate board meeting or a large conference space with hundreds of occupants, the space for you exists.
Additional on-site services include:
• Business Concierge
• Food and Beverage Catering Arrangements
• Presentation Equipment
• Commercial Catering Station
• Free Parking
Organizing a corporate event can be a formidable undertaking, but with time and planning with the Silverstone Amenity Center staff, your event will be a great experience and a huge success. Visit www.silverstoneamenitycenter.com for more information and to book a room for your next company meeting.
About The Sundance Company Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
Property management is a critical component of owning a commercial property. As a property owner, you must think about maximizing the value of your asset. And so does The Sundance Company. Our more than 40 years of Asset Administration experience in in the Boise Valley – Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and Caldwell – allows us to offer you a high-quality alternative approach to traditional Property Management services. The Sundance Company team of commercial real estate professionals will:
Forecast the needs of the property
Help to reduce your interest costs and loan fees
Assist in reducing renewal costs
Provide opportunities for reduced insurance premiums
Offer significant operating expense savings
Understand owners’ objectives and tailor our Asset Management Plan to your performance expectations and building needs
Advise on financing, long-term planning, market analysis and capital forecasting
Allow you to focus on your core business objectives while we help reduce operating, legal and accounting costs
Perform high-quality services such as:
— Full financial and reporting services
–Security/fire/safety programs
— Supervision and training of personnel
— Contract administration
— Standard operating procedures manuals
— Building operations and maintenance
— Customer and tenant services
— Lease administration and management
— Ongoing building and safety inspection programs
— Annual customer and tenant surveys
About The Sundance Company
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
The Sundance Company Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
You may be working for the weekend, but when it comes to actually getting work done, Monday is the most productive day, according to a study by Redbooth. The data collaboration software provider found that the highest percentage of tasks–20.4%–are completed on Monday, compared to Friday, when only 16.7% of work tasks are accomplished. Tuesday is a close second, accounting for 20.2% of work.
“Given the relatively low completion levels on the latter days of the week, it’s likely that Monday is the ‘catch up’ day at work,” according to the report.
Why Monday is Made for Working
Mondays are prime for work because they feel like a fresh start, says productivity coach Deb Lee. “When you’ve had the weekend to take a break, relax and regroup, you come back to work fresher than when you walked out the door the previous Friday,” she says. “We tend to tackle our work week-by-week, which means Monday can often be less stressful than say a Thursday or a Friday when those end-of-week deadlines are approaching. That stress-free, clean-slate feeling on Monday morning can inspire creativity and boost productivity.”
Focus is often at its highest at the beginning of a work week, adds Scott Amyx, author of Strive: How Doing the Things Most Uncomfortable Leads to Success. “On Mondays, you have a vantage point, looking at your priorities for the week and then appropriately applying your highest level of concentration to the hardest tasks,” he says.
Willpower might also be replenished on Monday, says Amyx. “For those who believe that willpower is limited, I believe that they do apply the greatest energy on Mondays,” he says.
Making the Most of Monday
The key to starting off the workweek in high productivity mode is being ready, says Lee. “You could prepare for the week on Friday afternoon, before heading home for the weekend,” she says. “Others look to Sunday evening as an opportunity to prep meals, pull clothes out for Monday morning, and check their calendars. It’s also fine to save your preparation for Monday morning—just be sure to set aside at least 30 uninterrupted minutes when you arrive at your desk to regroup and map out an action plan.”
Set up the week for success by not completely unplugging over the weekend, says Amyx. “Perhaps one of the biggest culprits to a stressful Monday is email,” he says. “Workers end up sifting through dozens of emails to come up for air hours later to find out it’s already lunch time. Give yourself permission to check once or twice on the weekend to quickly prioritize what’s urgent, important, lower priority or spam.”
Use your renewed energy on a Monday by blocking out time to focus, suggests Amyx. “Success comes when we do the things most uncomfortable,” he says. “Instead of acquiescing to your urge to check your email on Monday morning, time bound it to five to 10 minutes, not to answer emails but rather to quickly organize and prioritize. Then allocate the next one to two hours to do the hardest, brain intensive work without interruption.”
And cancel Monday morning meetings, suggests Mike Vardy, author of The Front Nine: How to Start the Year You Want Anytime You Want. “If your meetings are scheduled for first thing on Mondays and if you have any pull with your superiors then ask if it’d be possible to shift the meeting to later in the day,” he writes on his Productivityist blog. “Mention that giving each of your colleagues time in their own space before going into a meeting would allow them to be more ‘present’ in the meeting. If you are absolutely certain that there’s no way you can avoid that early morning Monday meeting, then make sure you prepare for that meeting the night before. That alone will make your Monday morning better.”
When you start to organize your Mondays by your priorities, productivity, and rewards then you feel great about your accomplishments, says Amyx. “There’s no greater satisfaction than knowing that you overcame the biggest, gnarliest cognitive, creative work to make significant progress on your project or tasks,” he says.
This article originally appeared on the Fast Company website.
About The Sundance Company
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
The Sundance Company Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
So, what is the “connected office”? Employees no longer feel motivated by just showing up for their jobs at 8 a.m. and leaving by 5 p.m.—they want to be part of the larger surrounding community, whether that be their office community or serving charitable organizations in the area alongside their colleagues. This increased community awareness has forced office owners to look for more ways to engage their tenants beyond the traditional and generic “canned goods” collection drives that lack the elements of human connection and authenticity today’s workforce craves.
Health and wellness are other key pillars of the “connected office” experience. Office owners should be committed to the well-being of their tenants and act with their best interests in mind, through certifications such as WELL, LEED or Fitwel to help ease employee anxiety.
Why should property managers care?
With the “connected office” model, tenants are also looking for property managers to go outside the walls of the building, with amenities such as walkability, greenspace, access to external amenities like dining and shopping options, and participation in give-back or charitable events. The No. 1 request we hear from tenants is walkability outside the building and amenitization on the inside, so their office is a true destination where workers want to be, even if they are given a hybrid work model. These social touchpoints support connectivity and inspiration and help create a thriving office ecosystem. The “connected office” strengthens aspects that can be especially attractive to future talent and retain current employees, which benefits all users of an office building.
Property managers should also provide in-person or digital programming to get their tenants out of their offices and inspire collaboration in shared spaces, such as tenant lounges and breakout rooms. Landlords who make an extra effort to create connectivity and synergy within their buildings can contribute to the overall financial and personal health of their people.
How will it shape the future of the office?
Not only are employers and tenants looking for connectivity between each other and the hyperlocal community, but with the building itself. Upgrades in property technology can allow users access controls using only their phone. Apps such as SwiftConnect, an office building software platform, allow users to digitize their buildings and give tenants access to temporary spaces throughout the country.
Flexible space is also key. From large companies to smaller startups, flex office can cater to any size tenant’s needs and offers agility and attractive amenities. When office owners implement tenant engagement campaigns, foster opportunities for on-the-ground community service, upgrade their building technologies and provide flexible work arrangements, the “connected office” ecosystem creates a place where everyone wants to be, from property staff and onsite vendors to the C-suite and everyday employees. That future is now, and those who have the foresight to act first will be best positioned for the next chapter of change already underway.
Portions of this article originally appeared on the Forbes website.
The Sundance Company Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
The Sundance Company Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
The Sundance Company 