A Reminder: 4 Reasons to Keep it Clean

Back in 2017 on National Clean Off Your Desk Day, I wrote a blog about the subject and – three years later – the message is just as important. I wanted to share that post again because I’ve always liked to keep a clean workspace; I even dust my desk at least once a week. This habit was ingrained into me by our founder, (and my dad) Tom Beckham. Every night before leaving, he’d walk around the office and do desk checks to ensure our office was nice and tidy. The year after my siblings and I took over the business, my dad stopped by to see how we were doing. We were excited to have him visit, having had a huge growth in revenue that year. The only comment my dad made was, “You need to get someone out here to trim that grass around our sign. It looks awful.”  Even though this wasn’t the most heartening of comments our dad could have given us, it was a valuable lesson that managing a company involves all aspects… even maintaining the grass. So as exasperating as these office checks could be, I’ve learned that having a clean workspace can be quite beneficial.

Here are four reasons why:

1. REDUCES STRESS

Imagine a cluttered desk – papers everywhere, leftover lunch, your coffee mug, a water bottle, etc. You name it, it’s sprawled somewhere on your desk. Now, find your report for your meeting in one minute. Stressful, right? Keeping your items in-order can help you avoid misplacing any important items entirely.

2. MAINTAINS HEALTH

Keeping your desk clean also helps maintain your office’s hygiene. Wiping down tabletops, keyboard and other work surfaces with disinfecting wipes helps prevent the spread of germs. Cleanliness also removes dust, lint and pollen from the air, all of which can cause health issues. Fewer health issues means you take less sick days and can use your PTO on things you enjoy.

3. KEEPS UP COMPANY IMAGE

A clean, organized workplace also maintains the professionalism of a company. It’s not uncommon to have current customers, business partners or potential clients in the office. Regardless of how long they have worked with you, it’s vitally important to make a good impression. How can your clients trust you to maintain their business if your own is disorganized and chaotic? Having a well-kept office shows your company is organized, professional and a well-equipped partner.

4. BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY 

Ultimately, having a clean space helps you get your job done more efficiently. When your space is optimized for working and your items are organized, you can complete tasks faster.

Keeping your desk clean is crucial to being able to get your work done and helps you maintain a healthy and professional workspace. A clean office is a simple step toward taking pride in your space that benefits the company.

All the Best,

Jeff Beckham