Thought spring cleaning was just for your home? Nope! Spring cleaning your work routines can go a long way, too. And we don’t just mean cleaning off your desk (but now that you mention it…you should probably do that too 😉). 

It’s so easy to get bogged down in routine. After a while, the same daily rhythms that once worked for us can start to feel repetitive and stale. Being stuck like this can even inhibit our productivity and cause us to become distracted from our goals. 

Cleaning out the cobwebs is a great way to get back on track. Feeling some brain fog? Cut back on the dairy and sugar in your morning coffee. Feeling antsy? Take a walk during lunch. Overwhelmed? Prioritize your tasks by taking on the toughest one of the day first. 

If you’re inspired to spring ahead to a new way of working, these 5 smart strategies will help you spring clean your routines. Even if you try just one, we bet you’ll begin to see changes for the better. 

Declutter That Desk 

Of course there needs to be some actual cleaning involved in refreshing your work routines! Top of the list should be to get all of that clutter off of your desk. You don’t need to have everything 100% organized. But having a clean desk is going to help your mood and productivity levels. 

Did you know a clear work area is linked to less stress? And the less stress you have while at work, the more focused you’ll be. So take a little time over the next week to channel your inner Marie Kondo and combat the clutter. 

Determine what’s important, and toss the rest. Those old coffee cups and post-it notes from last year? Toss. Those invoices you thought you lost? KEEP! The point is, once you’ve decluttered, you’ll feel better and ready to rock. 

Stretch Those Legs

Walks aren’t just a great way to add some low-impact exercise into your workday. They’re also one of the best ways to increase your productivity. According to CEO Magazine, walking increases our oxygen intake, which improves our blood flow, and increases our energy levels. 

So, you’ll end up returning from your post-lunch walk with more energy, concentration, alertness, and focus. These lead to boosts in productivity, creativity, and reduce things like stress and inattentiveness. 

It doesn’t have to be a long walk, either. A short 5 or 10 minutes is all you need to get that blood flow going. Trust us, once you’ve added a walk into your daily routine, the antsiness you’ve been feeling, or the distractions you’ve been facing, will vanish. 

Cut Back on the Sugar

Most of us can’t live without our morning coffee order. It’s the way we like it, however, that can make all the difference. The truth is, all that sugar you’re using could be coming at a cost.

Excessive sugar has been linked to a number of different negative side effects, including brain fog, decreased energy, trouble concentrating, and even anxiety and depression. 

And it’s not just the sugar in your coffee you should be cutting back on. Most processed snacks and drinks are loaded with sugar, too. While we wouldn’t dream of telling you to change your entire diet, it’s something to think about when you’re planning meals. Swap those chips for an apple or that soda for a seltzer. Making these changes will serve you well as the warm, spring days arrive.  

Reorient Your Tasks

One thing we’re all guilty of is putting off our toughest work tasks. We tend to think that if we get the quick, easy stuff out of the way first, we’ll be able to better concentrate on the harder project. 

The problem with that mindset is that, by the time we’re done with the quick and easy stuff (which is never as quick and easy as it is supposed to be) we’re often far too tired to work on that other project. 

That’s why it’s better to reorient your tasks, and get the tougher task out of the way first.  If you’re able to reprioritize your schedule this way, you’ll get that tough task out of the way before lunch. Then you’ll be better prepared to take on smaller to-do items after your healthy lunch and invigorating walk. 

Prioritization is important, though it isn’t always popular. But doing what is hard first is going to free up your schedule, stress levels, and brain space. 

Set New Goals

The best part of spring is seeing all the plants bloom. The starkness of winter disappears, and we are able to enjoy the newness that comes with the warmer season. We can take a similar approach at work by diving into spring with new goals of our own. 

Setting goals is an important part of your career. Whether they are long or short-term goals, you can work SMART to achieve them. If you aren’t regularly refreshing yours each season, it could become difficult for you to maintain your priorities. 

Look at your goals and see which ones are working for you and which are no longer relevant. From there, you’ll be able to get a bigger and better idea of what to focus on in the coming year.

We love spring here at Masiello Employment Services. Not only is it a great time for jobs, but it’s a great time for us! That’s because spring it’s Awards Season! That’s right! It’s time for the Keene Sentinel Choice Awards. 

We’ve been honored to receive Gold for Best Staffing Agency for the last three years. And we can’t rise to the top again in 2024 without your support! So please, head over to the nominations page and write in Masiello Employment Services under Best Staffing Agency

If we’ve impacted your life in any way, let us know with your vote! It helps us keep doing what we love for the amazing people in our communities.