Popularized worldwide by the name “KonMari Method”, it is widely applied thanks to its simplicity and effectiveness in organizing and managing belongings. Not only for personal life, KonMari also creates positive effects on work life. This article will help you understand more about its rules, benefits as well as practical applications in work.
What is the KonMari method?
1. Overview of the KonMari method
The KonMari method originated in Japan and was introduced by Marie Kondo, a renowned organizing consultant and author of several books. Kondo spent years working with clients and experimenting with different organizing and tidying methods to develop a simple and effective method that anyone can use to transform their living space.
According to the KonMari website, “The KonMari Method is a simple yet powerful method of tidying that guarantees you will never be a cluttered mess again. It uses a single selection criterion – choose what sparks joy! You don’t choose what to throw away, you choose only what truly matters. Through tidying, you can reset your life and spend the rest of it surrounded by the people and things you love most.”
Organizing expert Marie Kondo.
People around the world are drawn to this philosophy not only because of its effectiveness, but also because it places great importance on introspection, peace, and joy. Furthermore, it encourages us to appreciate what is truly important and meaningful in life. Learn to let go of things that no longer bring joy, whether it is a worn-out piece of clothing or a negative way of thinking.
2. Understand the 6 core rules of KonMari
2.1. Rule 1: Commit to cleaning
Every effort comes with a reward in the end. By following the KonMari method, you will not only experience the joy of living with the things you love, but it will also help you practice consistency and help you build your ideal lifestyle.
When you have a clear goal and a can-do attitude, you will have the motivation you need to clean all your stuff in one go. Believe it or not? Setting a serious cleaning goal and committing the time and effort required is the first rule of cleaning.
2.2. Rule 2: Imagine your ideal lifestyle
Imagine your desired workspace.
Now it’s time to think about your desired workspace. Do you want it to be a peaceful retreat or a vibrant place to get inspired? How will you live and enjoy your workspace? By creating your ideal space in your mind, you’re really clarifying why you want to declutter and envisioning your best work life.
If you like drawing, sketch it out on paper. If you like writing, describe it in a notebook. If you like pictures, cut out pictures from magazines. Making things clear and visual will make you want to put in the effort to make it happen more than ever.
2.3. Rule 3: Get rid of things you don't need
The KonMari method focuses on what you want to keep – the things you value and that bring you joy. You have to let go of everything else with gratitude. For example, Marie Kondo chose to let go of her souvenir photos with a proper farewell. Marie uses salt (a Japanese cleansing ritual) and expresses gratitude for what they have taught her.
When organizing your workspace , get rid of anything you don’t need. Papers, receipts, magazines, and old notes are some of the common things that clutter your workspace. Once you’ve gotten rid of unnecessary items, you can shift your energy and attention to things that give you real meaning.
2.4. Rule 4: Be neat by category, not by location
People often store the same type of items in multiple locations. When you clean each location separately, you are repeating the same task in multiple locations. You can never get a complete picture of the total number of each type of item you own. As a result, you are stuck in a never-ending cleaning cycle. Therefore, organize neatly by type from books, papers, pens (miscellaneous items) to items with sentimental value such as paintings, photos, models, etc.
2.5. Rule 5: Do it in the right order
By starting with clothes (relatively easy) and ending with sentimental items (more of a challenge), you’ll hone your decision-making skills as you go. In your workspace, it might be best to start with books, then move on to papers and other miscellaneous items.
Start by arranging the books.
Many of us accumulate a lot of books, from technical to foreign. You should only keep the books that you refer to regularly or that you find bring you joy. This process will help you understand KonMari better and, more importantly, yourself.
2.6. Rule 6: Ask yourself if it brings joy?
“By organizing, you cultivate your sense of joy and you also develop a sense of your values,” Kondo told CNBC. “You can use that knowledge and that ability to better enhance your career decision-making skills and you’ll actually be able to better answer questions like, ‘What am I looking for in my career and what makes me feel good?’”
Sometimes it can be hard to tell which ones are your true loves and which ones are just “feels like.” Put them all side by side, and a direct comparison will help you identify them more easily!
Benefits of the KonMari method at work
- Improves concentration: When your things are messy or misplaced, it causes stress and anxiety. This makes it difficult to focus on your priorities. By applying the principles of the KonMari method, your space will become more organized and efficient, improving your concentration and increasing your mental health.
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Increased productivity: This method helps you avoid wasting time looking for lost items. With KonMari, you will know exactly where everything is and therefore spend less time worrying about and maintaining your belongings and data. You can focus on what is important and get more done in less time.
Cleaning increases productivity
- Creates a sense of security: Clutter negatively impacts a person’s sense of security. Cluttered people tend to feel more anxious and stressed when they see things scattered or not organized properly. Similarly, digital clutter has a negative impact on the mind. The KonMari method ensures that all your belongings are organized, giving you a healthy and productive environment to thrive.
- Improve your financial health: The KonMari approach not only helps you get rid of unnecessary items, but it also prevents you from buying things you don’t need. Basically, with less stuff, you’ll have less maintenance costs. Plus, you can also make some extra money by selling the things you want to get rid of.
How to apply the KonMari method to your workspace
By implementing the tips I mentioned below, you can achieve a tidy workspace and increase your productivity at work.
1. Evaluate your current workspace
Before you can apply the KonMari principles, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve from your workspace. You need to have clearly defined, achievable goals. Once you have a clear goal, focus on keeping only the items that you believe will help you achieve that goal and remove everything else that will get in the way.
2. Sort and categorize items
Organize computer folders.
At work, things that are essential and bring you joy might be a rare book or PDF. Some things can also trigger negative feelings, whether it’s a harsh email from your boss or feedback from a coworker, and should be discarded. Instead of making a snap decision, explore why you feel upset to understand yourself better.
Small tasks like wiring electronic devices, labeling and sorting paper documents, or reorganizing storage bins should also be done during this process. In the long run, you will no longer have to worry about cleaning up every little thing and will save you a lot of time!
3. Decide on the best options for your workspace
Part of the reason our workspaces get cluttered is because it's not easy and convenient to put things back where they belong. Avoid this problem by creating a seamless storage system that makes it easy to put things in and out.
Now it’s time to create a detailed picture of where each item will be placed. You can make a list on paper or sketch it out on the computer, as long as everything is visually represented in your head and easy to follow.
Are your desk and chair comfortable? Are shelves and storage within easy reach? Are there any accessories you need to add or remove? What about lighting and ergonomics?
4. Maintain neatness and organization
It would be a waste if you didn’t maintain a consistent tidying routine. Organizing isn’t a one-time thing, it requires repetition that aligns with the core principles of the KonMari method.
If you can't remember, set a schedule to remind you to clean your workspace. Consistency is key here - by incorporating this habit into your daily or weekly routine, you can keep your home office organized and functional.
Also consider your digital space. Unsubscribe from unnecessary email lists on a regular basis and delete old messages that no longer speak to you. Little by little, you will have your dream workspace, and then you will have the habits and lifestyle you want.
So, I have learned with you about the famous KonMari method in arranging and organizing things, especially its application in the workspace. Epione believes that the benefits it brings as well as the easy-to-apply rules will be a great source of motivation for you to apply it to your small corner.
