I was working with a virtual client last week and like so many of us during this time, she is working from home. Her desk is the dining room table because it affords her the most space and access to everything she needs in the apartment. I should add that she lives alone and has other spaces where she can eat.
The last few weeks we've been discussing routines and boundaries to help her leave her workspace when the workday is over. We were discussing what needs to get done at the end of one workday in order to make the next day easier. She agreed that reviewing her schedule and tasks as well as neatening up the desk and putting things away would not only bring closure to the current workday but also make returning tomorrow more enjoyable. Since she works at the dining room table I made the analogy of "setting the table" (setting the desk) when the workday is over so she can seamlessly launch into a new workday tomorrow.
Do you "set your desk" for the new workday tomorrow?
I have a home office and I "set my desk" when my workday is over by clearing away papers, returning pens and other desk supplies to their "homes", reviewing my appointments and schedule for the next day, reviewing my to-do list from today and writing a new to-do list for tomorrow, removing used coffee cups or plates, and closing windows on my computer.
This practice is useful in any workspace. If you are a chef and your workspace is the kitchen, do you leave it a mess or clean the workspace before ending the day? If you are a surgeon do you leave the used medical supplies and instruments out in the operating room or do you clean it up before leaving? Oh wait, that's a lousy example because surgeons don't clean up after themselves. Some poor lackey does, but you get the idea.
I would say I am successful in "setting my desk" for the next workday on most days. Nope, I am not perfect, and remember my mantra...GO FOR GOOD ENOUGH. I would rather do something at 80% than nothing at 100%.
