THE PERCEIVED IMPACT OF TIDYING A WORKSPACE

_______________________________

A Research Project

Presented to the Faculty of

The Graziadio Business School

Pepperdine University

________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Master of Science

in

Organization Development

_______________________________

by

Darby Barton

November 2020

© 2020 Darby Barton

 ProQuest Number: 28257976

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This research project, completed by

DARBY BARTON

under the guidance of the Faculty Committee and approved by its members, has

been submitted to and accepted by the faculty of The Graziadio Business School in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT

Date: November 2020

Faculty Committee

______ ____________________________________________
Committee Chair, Darren Good, Ph.D.

___________________________________________________
Committee Member, Miriam Y. Lacey

Deryck J. van Rensburg, D.B.A., Dean

The Graziadio Business School

ii
 Abstract

Tidying has become a globally recognized method of decluttering and organizing the

home and, more recently, workspaces. Tidying is a means of helping people discover

what sparks joy and live the life they want. This qualitative study explored how the

perceived impacts of tidying, traditionally applied to the home, may be applied to the

workplace. 19 interviews were conducted, and key themes identified. Results included

perceptions of improved focus, productivity, efficiency, as well as increased creativity,

joy, motivation, and overall sense of happiness and satisfaction. Participants also

experienced decreased anxiety and greater mental clarity, which influenced stronger

prioritization and more positive emotional tone. Results provide a useful foundation for

further research studies to build upon.

Keywords: tidying, decluttering, productivity, creativity

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 Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………………………...……………….1

Chapter 2: Literature Review …………………………………………..…………………3

Key Themes ……………………………………………………...……………….4

The Basics of Tidying …………………….………………………...…………….5

Connecting to the Physical Environment …………………………………………6

Environmental Compatibility ……………………………………………………..7

Environmental Control …………………………………………………………....9

Environmental Territory & Personalization ………………………………….….10

Tidying and Perception of Others ……………………………………………….12

Tidying and Mindfulness ……………………………………………...………...13

Summary ………………………………………………………………………...17

Chapter 3: Methods ……………………………………………………………..……….19

Chapter 4: Results ……………………………………………………………..………...22

Chapter 5: Discussion …………………………………………………………..……….36

References ……………………………………………………………………………….45

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 List of Tables

Table 1. Key Topics ………………………………………………………………………4

Table 2. Exemplar Quotes, Seasonal Tidying ……………………………………….….22

Table 3. Exemplar Quotes, Assessing & Decluttering ………………………………….24

Table 4. Exemplar Quotes, Designated Storage Space ………………………………….25

Table 5. Exemplar Quotes, Daily Tidying ………………………………………………26

Table 6. Exemplar Quotes, Impact on Focus, Productivity, and Efficiency …………….27

Table 7. Exemplar Quotes, Impact on Happiness ……………………………………….29

Table 8. Exemplar Quotes, Increased Satisfaction …………………………………..….31

Table 9. Exemplar Quotes, Impact on Others ……………………………………….….33

Table 10. Exemplar Quotes, Tidying & Guilt ……………………………………….….34

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 Chapter 1: Introduction

Multiple home and office space organizing methods have become popular in

recent years, however the term tidying has gained particular international acclaim with

worldwide bestseller books and hit Netflix show by tidying expert Marie Kondo. Tidying

serves to help declutter the world, to help people discover what sparks joy, and live the

life they want (Kondo, 2014). The process of tidying involves decluttering and organizing

by discarding, sorting, and storing. Despite the growing popularity and use of tidying in

both the home and office environment, little scientific data exists on the topic of tidying

and organizing a workplace and its relationship to important outcomes such as wellbeing,

productivity, effectiveness, and satisfaction of individuals at work. While some

scholarship does explore the how having a clean and tidy work environment can impact

performance and effectiveness, there is no existing literature that explores how the

process of tidying a workspace may contribute to these key areas. As the practice of

tidying continues to gain mainstream popularity and usage, it becomes important to begin

to rigorously test its perceived impact in work environments.

Purpose of the Study

Kondo (2014) provides two key statements which this study serves to explore.

Kondo (2014) states that a “dramatic reorganization of [a space] causes correspondingly

dramatic changes in lifestyle and perspective” and is “life transforming” (p. 3). Kondo

(2014) also claims “when you put your house in order, you put your affairs and your past

in order, too” (p. 4). Furthermore, Kondo and Sonenshein (2020) write that applying the

concepts of tidying and discerning what sparks joy through tidying at work can increase

happiness at work.

1
 The purpose of the study is twofold: 1) to explore how the perceived impacts of

tidying, traditionally applied to the home, may be applied to the workplace and 2) to

begin to examine its potential impact on workers’ focus, productivity, and satisfaction.

By exploring how tidying may be linked to increased focus, productivity, and

satisfaction at work, this study hopes to contribute to research that may examine and

support the adoption of tidying at work. This study may also provide new insight into the

possible connection between tidying and mindfulness, which may contribute to research

on the connection between tidying and wellbeing.

Organization of the Study

This chapter outlined the inspiration and purpose of the study, provided a brief

description of the study setting, and discussed the potential significance of the study and

how it may contribute to the field of organization development. Chapter 2 reviews

literature relevant to tidying, the work environment, and a brief review of mindfulness as

it may be relevant to tidying. Chapter 3 outlines the methods used in the study. Chapter 4

investigates the study results, and Chapter 5 discusses findings, study limitations, and

implications for the field and practice.

2
 Chapter 2: Literature Review

This literature review draws from both scholarship and practice-based literature to

review tidying and its relationship to workplace attitudes and performance. This chapter

provides a foundation for the research study and its exploration of how tidying a

workspace may impact focus, productivity, motivation, and satisfaction for workers.

Table 1 outlines key topics and their relationship to tidying, as presented in the literature

review.

3
 Table 1
Key Topics
Topic Description
Environmental Presence of important
compatibility resources and the absence of
distractions, excessive
stimulation, and confusion
(Kaplan, 1983)
Environmental The ability to control one’s
control environment; a basic human
need related to quality of work
life and which can help
individuals moderate the
negative psychological effects
of stressful situations and
conditions (Heerwagen et al.,
1995)
Territory Sense of psychological
ownership over a workplace
(Brunia & Hartjes- Gosselink,
2009)
Personalization The display of personal or
work-related items in a way
that distinguishes their space
from others’ (Sundstrom, 1986)
Impression- The process of perceiving,
making / organizing, and integrating data
impression to form an impression of others
formation (Moore, 2015)
Mindfulness A state of “clear-minded
attention to and awareness of
what is perceived in the
present” paired with an ability
to monitor the current state of
the mind (Good et al., 2016,
116).
Key Outcomes
Decreased stress, improved
focus
Improved moderation of
negative, unwanted, or
stressful stimuli
Contributes to a
“psychological home”,
increased agency; can ensure
needs are met
Higher job satisfaction;
increased employee well-
being and stress management;
self-expression
Impression-making informs
workplace relationships
Dampened stress reactions,
enhanced motor performance,
reduced mind wandering,
improved attentional
efficiency, better and more
reliable task performance,
increased adaptability,
increased sustained attention,
increased attentional control,
less judgement of others, more
positive emotional tone,
increased cognitive capacity,
and cognitive flexibility
4
Connection to
Tidying
Tidying may influence
factors that contribute
to environmental
compatibility
Tidying may help
workers experience an
increased sense of
environmental control
Tidying may help
ensure needs are met
and may help establish
a sense of
environmental safety
Tidying may help
build a sense of
identity and belonging
that improves
wellbeing &
satisfaction at work
A tidier space
positively influences
impression-formation
and altruism, and may
influence career
success
Tidying may induce
mindfulness, which
positively impacts
work performance and
satisfaction
The Basics of Tidying

Tidying has become a major phenomenon. Despite this growth in practice, limited

research explores the concept and implications of tidying. The majority of tidying and

organization manuals and commentaries exist outside academia via books and magazines

written by professional home organizers and consultants.

Tidying is often described in basic terms as a two-phase process, involving first a

discarding and then an organizing phase of deciding where to keep items. The ultimate

intention of tidying is to bring a greater sense of purpose and joy to a space (Herzog,

1995; Kondo, 2014). During the discard phase, tidiers, as they are called, declutter a

space by removing non-essential items. Before choosing what or how to discard an item,

tidiers must first hone their ability to perceive what sparks joy for them and then proceed

to assess which items they wish to discard. The organize phase involves the

implementation of a storage method in a strategic process wherein the tidier must assess

frequency of use, importance, type of item, etc. Some questions that may be asked during

this step could include: How do you do your laundry? Where do you like to read? What

and how do you cook? Each of the types of questions inform how a space is organized

(Herzog, 1995).

While done in multiple phases, Kondo’s (2014) ‘Kon-Mari’ tidying method

suggests tidying must be done in one fell swoop as opposed to small daily acts of

decluttering and organizing. Tidying in one shot rather than little by little can help

individuals not only change their space, but dramatically change their mindset. Kondo

(2014) recommends making “tidying a special event, not a daily chore” (p. 7) wherein an

5
entire space is decluttered and then reorganized at one time and decluttered according to

category as opposed to location.

A successfully tidied space has a designated home for each item, a place to which

items can be easily and frequently returned (Herzog, 1995). This concept applies to a

workspace. An effectively tidied space is easy to maintain and thus frees up time to allow

tidiers to invest in other activities and get things done more easily, even preventing

mistakes (Herzog, 1995).

Connecting to the Physical Environment

A significant volume of research explores the physical workplace environment

(e.g., structure, cleanliness, light, sound) and how it impacts various elements of work

performance. This area of focus is referred to as environmental psychology and examines

relationships between people and physical environments (Bell & Fisher, 1990). However,

because the organizational, interpersonal, and individual elements that contribute to a

work environment are naturally interdependent, the following research will also assume

these three units of analysis cannot be studied in isolation from one another.

Sundstrom (1986) describes three inherently interdependent units of analysis that

contribute to the health and wellbeing of an organization: 1) individual outcomes (e.g.,

satisfaction, performance), 2) interpersonal outcomes (e.g., communications, privacy,

groups), and 3) organizational outcomes (e.g., effectiveness). According to Sundstrom

(1986), facets of the physical environment impact the outcomes of each of these three

units, including satisfaction, performance, communication, group formation, group

cohesion, and overall organizational effectiveness. Workstations most directly impact

workers individually, while workspace differentiation contributes to interpersonal

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relationships and building layouts typically impact organizational effectiveness

(Sundstrom et al., 1986). Tidying therefore is a practice that may impact each of these

interdependent units, to effect individual, interpersonal, and organizational outcomes.

Research additionally discusses three key factors that contribute to employee

experience as it relates to the physical environment and which are potentially relevant to

tidying: 1) compatibility, 2) control, and 3) territory & personalization (Brunia & Hartjes-

Gosselink, 2009; Heerwagen et al., 1995; Kaplan, 1983; Sundstrom, 1986).

Environmental Compatibility

The physical and emotional environments we are in can significantly affect our

experiences. When an environment is in harmony with a person’s needs, they experience

positive feelings and outcomes (French, 1974). Workplace environments therefore can

substantially affect a wide range of psychological, social, and task related processes

including “stress reduction, job satisfaction, performance on complex cognitive tasks, and

emotional well being” (Heerwagen et al., 1995, p. 460). In other words, a compatible

work environment can influence employee wellbeing and success. It is thus important to

support environments that create harmony by meeting important needs for workers.

Compatible environments create such harmony and are characterized by the presence of

important resources and the absence of distractions, excessive stimulation, and confusion

(Kaplan, 1983). Environmental compatibility engages elements such as design,

management, and use of an indoor space, and can impact changes in individual efficiency

up to 15% (Ye, 2019). Research also notes that the attractiveness of a space can

positively affect how occupants rate their wellbeing (Larsen et al., 1998).

7
 Having an uncluttered work environment may be a critical factor that supports

employee success. According to the environmental perspective, when elements of the

physical environment interfere with workers’ ability to perform tasks effectively or place

undue demands on workers, they not only impede performance but also induce stress

(McCoy & Evans, 2005). Research by Roster and Ferrari (2019) found a positive

correlation between office clutter and decisional procrastination as well as workload

stress and job strain, factors that may impact happiness. They also found an

overabundance of personal objects (e.g., clutter) to be linked to decreased well-being

(Roster et al., 2019). A study of office clutter and work performance found that 90% of

Americans believe clutter has a negative impact on their lives and work, with 77% of the

1,000 study participants sharing how clutter damages their productivity (Kelton Research,

2011). In addition, more than half of the study participants said disorganization impaired

both their motivation and state of mind (Goudreau, 2011; Kelton Research, 2011).

In addition, research shows that distracting stimuli impede sustained goal-oriented

behaviors, while removing distracting stimuli can allow workers to spend less time

making ongoing judgements as to the relevance of intruding stimuli, a pattern that may

draw attention from pertinent tasks (Davis, 1984). In a recent study, the results of

participants who partook in a series of decluttering activities displayed more efficient use

of mental energy and/or diminished decision fatigue due to incompatible, chaotic, or

disorganized environments (Hicks, 2020). The participants also expressed increased

enjoyment in the space they decluttered and noted the process of decluttering “gave them

‘permission’ to let things go” and also implied their decision-making improved through

the decluttering process (Hicks, 2020, p. 36). Research also suggests cleanliness and

8
order constitute a critical desire and a human need (Schnall, 2011), which implies a

compatible environment is not only free from distraction, but has a sense of cleanliness.

In a study on happiness at work, participants noticeably appreciated organizational

support/facilities (Singh, 2018) that contributed to cleanliness and organization. This

research supports tidying as a means of achieving a more compatible environment, which

influences improved productivity, efficiency, and decision-making. Thus, a clean,

uncluttered space may support employee performance and success.

According to Kondo (2014), a tidying practice can foster such a compatible

environment which is clean, has accessible important resources, and is free from

distraction and excess. Kondo (2014) describes how before engaging in an intensive brain

activity such as exam preparation, there is an unquenchable need to tidy a personal

workspace prior to focusing on the bigger task at hand. The urge to tidy “occurs because

[people] need to put ‘something else’ in order. Their brain is actually clamoring to study,

but when it notices the cluttered space, the focus switches to ‘I need to clean up my

room’” (Kondo, 2014, p. 20). The removal of clutter and physical distractions that result

from a tidying implementation thus contribute to the creation of a compatible

environment that supports increased focus and reduced stress.

Environmental Control

Another critical factor that influences environmental compatibility is

environmental control, the ability to control one’s environment. Heerwagen et al. (1995)

identified opportunities to control the physical environment as a basic human need related

to quality of work life and which can help individuals moderate the negative

psychological effects of stressful situations and conditions. In a work setting, exercising

9
control over the physical environment may help employees cope with distraction, also

increasing job satisfaction (Lee & Brand, 2005). Controlling elements such as privacy

may additionally contribute to an understanding of the self, where it begins, where it

ends, its capabilities and limitations, and a sense of self-esteem (Altman, 1975; O’Neill,

1994; Wells, 1997). Furthermore, studies of building-related illness reveal greater

productivity and fewer sickness symptoms as perceived levels of individual control

increase (Bordass et al., 1994). Exercising environmental control may therefore

contribute to job satisfaction, role clarity, and increased productivity and wellness.

Tidying a personal workspace may allow individuals to exercise environmental

control over a designated area, contributing to individual wellbeing. In addition to these

effects on individuals, a perceived lack of environmental control may also negatively

impact the social environment at a higher level, potentially creating an environment that

damages employee psychosocial wellbeing (Wells, 1997). It therefore may be important

that workspaces have opportunities for individuals to control their physical work

environment, as it impacts both personal and collective wellbeing and interactions.

Environmental Territory & Personalization

In addition to a basic human need for uncluttered spaces and control over a work

environment, a sense of psychological ownership (of territory) over a workplace is

another important factor in workplace satisfaction (Brunia & Hartjes-Gosselink, 2009).

Environmental territory is associated with ownership, agency, and the need to defend

(Altman, 1975; Ashkanasy et al., 2014). It is assumed that in a work setting, when people

are dissatisfied with the work environment (whether emotionally or physically),

emotional costs can increase. This aligns with the motivation work pioneered by

10
Frederick Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory found that workplace conditions could be a

cause of dissatisfaction for employees (Herzberg et al., 2010). This concept is what

drives the interest in personalization in the workplace, wherein individuals display

personal or work-related items in a way that distinguishes their space from others’

(Sundstrom, 1986) and helps them create an environment that meets their needs.

Personalization helps shape a sense of personal territory, which fosters a

psychological home (Roster et al., 2019) that supports emotional wellbeing and is

“associated with contemplation, meditation, planning, waiting, territorial guarding, and

space defending” (Heerwagen et al., 1995, p. 461). The personalization of a work space is

also linked to an expression of self-identity (Roster et al., 2019). It is used as an

unconscious outlet of emotions and a form of personal expression and individuality that

provides specific concrete stimuli to determine a sense of self (Brunia & Hartjes-

Gosselink, 2009). This ability to personalize a work environment therefore contributes to

the maintenance of a positive workplace identity which can help employees find their

place within an organization (Ashkanasy et al., 2014).

Due to the influence personalization has on workplace identity, personalization

and territory at work contribute to higher job satisfaction, employee well-being, and

stress management by supporting the regulation of social interaction and privacy (i.e.,

supporting a sense of control over socialization) (Wells, 1997). Tidying may offer a way

to personalize a workspace, by carefully selecting items that contribute to or reflect

personal characteristics and create a sense of territory, a workplace identity, and a

psychological home at work, and removing all others.

11
Tidying and Perceptions of Others

The tidiness of a space can have an important influence on impression-making,

which informs workplace relationships (Harris & Sachau, 2005). Generally, visitors may

view the occupants of a workspace with clutter and disarray more negatively, while the

occupant of a tidier, cleaner space will be viewed more positively (Campbell, 1979;

Morrow & McElroy, 1981). Research indicates that the pleasantness of surroundings can

also influence social interaction. For example, the desire for altruism and to affiliate with

others increases in aesthetically pleasing circumstances (Sitton, 1984). In studies,

participants have received more positive rankings for sincerity, intelligence, ambition,

warmth, and calmness when sitting behind a neat desk rather than a messy one (Morrow

& McElroy, 1981). Study participants with neat, uncluttered, clean, and organized spaces

have also self-rated as more conscientious than other participants and were rated by

observers as being more conscientious (Harris & Sachau, 2005). In a study by Gosling,

Ko, Mannarelli, and Morris (2002) observers associated the trait of conscientiousness

with occupants who had an organized, efficiently arranged, and uncluttered office space.

Furthermore, office clutter can also serve as a “constant visual reminder of work left

undone, making it more difficult to locate information quickly and potentially

engendering feelings of guilt and embarrassment” (Roster & Ferrari, 2019, p. 6),

especially when clutter impacts how an occupant is perceived by colleagues or

unexpected visitors.

The tidiness of a workspace can impact impression formation so much so that it

may even impact promotions and long-term career success. In a 2012 survey by staffing

firm Adecco, 57% of the 1,015 adults surveyed have judged a co-worker based on the

12
cleanliness of their workspace and nearly half of the survey participants found messy

colleagues’ offices appalling, with most associating the messiness with laziness

(Godreau, 2012). Additionally, 28% of employers say they are less likely to promote

someone with a disorganized workspace (Shellenbarger, 2014).

Tidying and Mindfulness

While the visual results of tidying can help identify a well-implemented tidying

method, the visual results do not inherently define tidying. According to Kondo (2014),

tidying is a tool, rather than a final destination. Prior to tidying a space, Kondo (2019)

advises tidiers to practice gratitude for the space. This practice of entering a space,

intentionally focusing on your presence in the space, and expressing gratitude for the

space may set the stage for being mindful, defined as present moment attention and

awareness (Brown et al., 2007). Similarly, during the discarding process, tidiers may ask

themselves questions or repeat statements to determine what to discard such as, "I

haven’t used this in a year and I never will”, “Would I put this in my suitcase if I moved

from here?”, and Kondo’s (2014) ultimate question: “Does it spark joy?”

This process of discerning what sparks joy involves sensory and emotional

observation, wherein objects are touched and tidiers tune-in to their reactions to notice

how their body responds to different objects (Kondo, 2014). Through this process of

noticing different responses to stimuli, tidiers can develop a critical ability to discern

what sparks joy. This discernment ability is a skill that can be honed, and involves

noticing how you are inclined to react when holding, hugging, brushing, or touching an

item (Kondo, 2015). The discarding process associated with tidying is an activity that

requires present moment attention and awareness. Kondo’s (2015) advice to first-time

13
tidiers: “If you feel unsure about any [item], don’t just touch it; hug it. The difference in

how your body responds when you press it against your heart can help you recognize if it

sparks joy” (p. 18). This act of discerning what sparks joy is a critical element that can

dramatically transform one’s mind-set and which is a likely cause of long-term success

with maintaining a tidy space, as well as in inviting joy into other areas of life such as

relationships and career (Kondo, 2014).

Simply put, the process of tidying causes an individual to notice not only the

physical objects (the stimuli) around them, but to also pay careful attention to internal

reactions these stimuli evoke in the present (Kondo, 2014, 2015, 2019). It is this process

of noticing a reaction that may allow tidying to promote a mindful state of awareness.

The process of determining joy involves noticing and labeling, but it is not to be confused

with forming a judgement. While it could be argued that determining what sparks joy

invites an evaluative mindset, the ability to determine what sparks joy is more concerned

with honing awareness or sensitivity to the concept of joy and how it manifests both

physically and emotionally, rather than focusing on the ensuing decision-making step.

One cannot complete a tidying implementation without this step of sharpening awareness,

which is embedded in Kondo’s (2014) design for the discarding phase, and which may

induce mindfulness.

Given that tidying may promote mindfulness, it is important to review workplace

outcomes associated with mindfulness, as this could help explain similar outcomes from

tidying. Mindfulness is characterized by “clear-minded attention to and awareness of

what is perceived in the present” paired with a third dimension of meta-awareness, an

ability to monitor the current state of the mind (Good et al., 2016, p. 116). Mindfulness

14
involves what is called experiential processing, as opposed to conceptual processing.

Experiential processing involves the observation of internal reactions or the external

stimulus itself. This is perhaps best described as an ability to view personal experiences

from an observational or decentering third person perspective (Brown et al., 2007). This

experience allows one to “witness events, thoughts, and emotions” (including personal

judgements) without assigning additional meaning to them (Good et al., 2016, p. 117).

This type of thought pattern creates the capacity to accept what is occurring without

eliciting a particular reaction. In contrast, conceptual processing refers to recurrent or

repetitive paradigms that are reactive and evaluative, often manifesting as rumination or

worry (Watkins, 2008). The ability to notice what reactions we are experiencing without

conceptualizing them is a learnable skill that can develop with practice (Nilsson, 2017;

Siegel, 2009), a concept that aligns with Kondo’s (2014) belief in tidying as a learnable

skill which can be developed, trained, and honed.

Elements of Zen Buddhism help further illustrate the connection between tidying

and mindfulness. Zen Buddhism focuses on kanso, or the pursuit of beautiful simplicity.

It is through this pursuit of simplistic living that Zen practitioners seek to reduce

attachment and craving by building a life free from clutter and the non-essential to

support mindfulness (Lomas et al., 2017). Simplistic living is associated with increased

happiness and satisfaction (Brown & Kasser, 2005; Lomas et al., 2017). Lomas et al.

(2017) argues mindfulness is “reflective of--and can help engender--this type of

simplicity, enabling it to be incorporated into the small acts of daily living” (pp. 1726-

1727).

15
 Mindfulness can be supported and fostered through a variety of activities,

particularly somatic activities, which invite an individual to focus their attention on the

present. Scientists at Duke University have determined five likely criteria to help assess

whether an activity is mindful (Gavin & McBrearty, 2006, p. 60):

• The activity contains a self-reflective, present-moment, and nonjudgmental

sensory awareness
• It includes a perception of movement and spatial orientation.
• There is a focus on breathing and breath sounds.
• Attention is paid to anatomical alignment.
• The activity has a quality of being “energy centric,” or involves an awareness of
the movement and flow of one’s intrinsic energy (chi or prana)

Some practices that have been shown to induce a mindful state of awareness

include somatic work such as Pilates (Adams et al., 2012), tai chi, yoga, meditation

(Martin, 2018), and mindful art therapy (Rappaport, 2014). The objective of each of these

practices is to build a connection between the mind and the body that helps shift thinking

and attention from a focus on a product (an outcome or achievement) to the process and

practice of the exercise through which they have a heightened awareness of physical

stimuli and reactions (Brodie & Lobel, 2004).

Because the tidying process requires increased attention to the physical and

emotional relationship to objects in the present, tidying may influence a state of

mindfulness, which positively impacts work performance and satisfaction. Some of the

notable influences of mindfulness include dampened stress reactions (e.g., less elevated

cortisol) (Good et al., 2016), enhanced motor performance, enhanced awareness of

perceptual-motor conflicts, slower body movements (Naranjo & Schmidt, 2012), reduced

mind wandering, increased sustained attention (attentional stability), increased attentional

16
control (Good et al., 2016; Wadlinger & Isaacowitz, 2010), improved attentional

efficiency, better and more reliable task performance, increased adaptability, enhanced

task and job performance (Good et al., 2016; Kuo & Yeh, 2015; Smallwood & Schooler,

2015), and less judgement of others (Beckman et al., 2012). Mindfulness trainings have

also been associated with less negative and more positive emotional tone, which may be

important to influencing a positive day-to-day workplace climate (Miner & Glomb,

2010).

While tidying results in a clean and functional space, creating a tidy space may

not inherently help one focus. Rather, it is the process of tidying that helps tidy the mind,

which therein influences increased focus. The process of tidying cleans up “your

psychological space” (Kondo, 2014, p. 21) which may support focus. This tidying of the

mind alludes to tidying’s ability to influence mindfulness. Mindfulness is also linked to

increased cognitive capacity (i.e., working memory) and cognitive flexibility, the ability

to adapt and think creatively (Good et al., 2016). In other words, mindfulness is linked to

more innovative problem solving capabilities and insight, which aligns with Kondo’s

(2014) findings about how tidying may also inspire more creativity. By focusing on the

decluttering phase involved in a tidying implementation and noticing what sparks joy,

tidiers may induce a more mindful state that would allow the many benefits of

mindfulness to manifest via tidying.

Summary

As a practice that impacts the organizational, interpersonal, and individual

elements of a work environment, tidying may offer significant positive rewards for

workers. As a practice that may induce mindful awareness, tidying may not only help

17
meet the natural human needs of a clean and organized space, but may also provide

tidiers some of the many benefits associated with other well-known mindfulness

practices. This research study will examine how these conclusions may or may not be

true.

18
 Chapter 3: Methodology

The purpose of this research study is to explore how the practice of tidying

impacts workers’ productivity, effectiveness, and satisfaction. This chapter consists of an

outline of the research design, a description of the sample and research setting, an

explanation of the measures employed, an overview of the data analysis process, and a

description of steps taken for the protection of human subjects.

Research Sample

The participants represented a diverse range of ages, ethnicities, and occupations.

Each participant met the following qualifications: occupied a personal workspace

featuring personal storage, was between 24-65 years of age, worked at least 30 hours per

week, and had at some point during their working career implemented a tidying method

that affects a personal workspace. 19 prospective participants submitted a signed letter of

consent to confirm their understanding of the purpose of the study and their rights as a

voluntary research participant. 19 volunteers participated in a one-on-one interview with

the primary investigator.

Research Design

In an attempt to measure the impact of tidying practices in the workplace on

workers’ focus, productivity, and satisfaction at work, a qualitative data collection

approach was chosen using a one-on-one interview hosted virtually via Zoom.

Data Collection

19 one-on-one interviews were conducted. Volunteers were solicited through

social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I also reached out

to specific individuals within my network via email, private social media messages, and

19
text messages, letting them know of the study, gauging interest, and answering questions

for prospective participants.

An invitation to participate in the study was emailed to all prospective participants

who expressed interest via an unprompted response to a social media post or text message

invitation. The invitation and email explained the purpose of the project and requested

participation in a one-on-one interview via Zoom video call for the research study.

Interviews lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. Participants were read a summary of the

purpose of the study and were asked for permission to record their responses for research

purposes. Adequate time was included for any questions. Consent for participation was

obtained by the voluntary decision of the participant to remain present for the interview.

The interview followed a protocol of questions submitted with the research

proposal. On occasion, relevant follow up questions were asked to gain clarity and insight

into the participants’ responses. I typed a transcription throughout each interview.

Protection of Human Subjects

Institutional approval to conduct the proposed research study was obtained

through Pepperdine University's Institutional Review Board on May 18th, 2020. In

addition, I completed the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) MSOD

Human Subjects Training on September 26th, 2018. A consent form was emailed to

prospective participants who expressed interest in the study. The form outlined the

purpose of the study and the voluntary nature of participation. The subject's consent to

participate was implied by returning the signed consent form. There were no apparent

risks, costs, or financial incentives to participate in this study. The only inconvenience

was the time spent participating in the interview.

20
 All participant responses were kept confidential. Only aggregate data was

reported in the research and in any subsequent analysis in possible future publication of

results. The confidentiality of data was safeguarded using first name pseudonym

identifiers. Research data was stored securely in a password-protected cloud storage, to

be deleted within six years from the date of publication.

Data Analysis

A thematic analysis was performed on the qualitative data yielded by the

participant interviews, identifying common themes. Descriptive statistics were used to

analyze the data obtained. Frequency distributions were measured as appropriate.

Responses were categorized to generate common themes. Where appropriate, qualitative

data was converted to quantitative data by means of a coding methodology. Coding, data

entry, and data analysis were completed. Several consistent themes were identified

amongst the participant responses contributing to content reliability and validity.

Qualitative data from the interviews was reviewed and each response summarized based

on key themes. Common themes were identified amongst the qualitative data gathered

through the interviews.

21
 Chapter 4: Results

The purpose of this research study was to explore how the practice of tidying

impacts workers’ focus, productivity, and satisfaction. This chapter presents findings of

the study and describes the data collection results and data analysis.

What Tidying Looks Like

It is important first to understand what tidying consists of for the study

participants. During the one-on-one video interviews, participants were asked to describe

their tidying process. Most participants shared how their tidying process involved both a

seasonal and a daily tidying component. Eight of 19 participants shared that they

performed a more in-depth seasonal tidying process, wherein they perform an extensive

decluttering of their space and storage/organization system implementation. As one

participant put it, their seasonal tidying is “a reset when I go through [my space] again in

a different season, a new chapter of tidiness.” Table 2 shares additional quotes on

seasonal tidying.

Table 2

Exemplar Quotes, Seasonal Tidying

Seasonal Tidying (at home and at work)

“Annually, I will open all my closets, pull everything out. Anything that I haven’t used in a
year that I probably won’t use in another year, I take out. Except for a few items, like air
mattresses. I maybe actually do that bi-annually because I don’t like clutter. I like to offload as
I add things. Monthly basis, offload items that are...storing or getting rid of them. Weekly
basis, clearing out.

“[On a] yearly basis I have to clean out my classroom because I have to move. Takes about 2
days--sorting papers, returning lost and found.”

“I will probably do decluttering once a year. And it will kind of always be at the end of the
summer. That might be part of the start of the new school year.”

22
 In some instances, this seasonal tidying involved rearranging the physical space

and layout. The first part of this process involved an assessment or inventory phase

wherein they carefully review and assess all their personal items in a space, then proceed

to discard or declutter, either temporarily setting aside or immediately removing items

which they no longer need or want. When determining what to keep, participants ask

themselves questions as part of their decision-making process. The most frequently

mentioned questions were:

(1) Does it spark joy?

(2) Why do I have this item?

(3) How often do I use this item?

(4) Is it expired?

Table 3 shows exemplar quotes regarding assessing and decluttering.

23
 Table 3

Exemplar Quotes, Assessing and Decluttering

Assessing and Decluttering

"So for my general tidying process [I] take everything out of the space that I’m cleaning and
identify what I’m going to keep, and organize it according to like kind, and continue doing that
until I pretty much have everything organized together according to what it is and then I just
get rid of the rest."

“I go through each item one by one and identify whether it is something I want to keep -- does
this spark joy? Is this something that I wear? Do I use it? Will I miss it? How does it compare
to other things I really like? And if it’s not up to snuff, it’s going to the donated pile. If I’m
organizing some kind of cabinet, I will look at expiration dates, and then is it in the right place?
Organized chaos first, everything is a mess, and then it comes back together in an organized
way.”

“The biggest question I ask myself is, “what do I need on my desk all the time? What do I
absolutely need ON my desk?” Then it’s, “what do I need access to the most, what needs to be
reachable”, and then I organize it based on that. Digital is not dissimilar.”

“Did you actually use this for anything? Why are you holding onto it? Realistically are you
actually going to use it in the future? How many of these pens do you really need? So reality-
check questions rather than thinking emotionally, otherwise I’d never get rid of anything. It
would never look neat.”

“[...] if it’s sentimental things I'm more likely to ask, “does this spark joy for me?” Sometimes I
ask “why do I still have this? What purpose does it serve? Do I really need to keep it?” And
then thanking something for its service and letting it go was impactful for me.”

"If I'm going through a folder, 1) note the age of the documents, if older than 7 years, or 3
years for taxes, I’ll look at that. What is it? Does it have any sentimental reasons to keep? Is it a
program of a play that I saw, do I really want to hold onto that? Does it bring you joy? If it
brings you joy you keep it, or if not you thank it and get rid of it. So that’s been the main way
I’ve been looking at stuff. Is there another way to retain it where it doesn’t take up space? It’s
part of the tidying concept. If it isn’t meaningful anymore, get rid of it."

Following this assessment and discarding process, most participants described

implementing, or needing to implement, a storage/organization method. This process

typically results in the creation of a designated home for each item. A few participants

implemented the organization method as they decluttered. Table 4 shows exemplar

quotes for designated storage spaces.

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 Table 4

Exemplar Quotes, Designated Storage Spaces

Designated Storage Spaces / “Designated homes”

“Daily, when I’m at my desk because I'm a visual person, if it's super messy all around, I can’t
work because I can’t focus. So I put things away in their dedicated spaces. In my current setup
everything has a dedicated space, and if there isn’t I will make a space. Very vital that I make it
clean before I start working.”

“Some days if I see my laptop sitting on the table I'll feel this pull to do more work, to go back
to work. So I put it all away to end my day. They have places like a file organizer, a holder for
all my pens, they are organized within the designated cabinet. My laptop has a stand that goes
on, so everything has a home.”

“[...] everything has to be organized in their locations.”

“[...] I work with a lot of files. Way too many files. Template folders that I use for projects... I
created one folder with subfolders and I copy that and paste it into a project folder and then I
started organizing all the files in a project into each of those folders. And then for different
programs, different programs match folders on different computers, so I’m always looking in
the same place for the same files.”

In addition to a seasonal decluttering process, eight of 19 participants mentioned

implementing a daily tidying process, which largely included putting “things away in

their dedicated spaces”, or designated homes. Table 5 shows exemplar quotes for daily

tidying processes mentioned by participants.

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 Table 5

Exemplar Quotes, Daily Tidying

Daily Tidying
“On a daily basis I spend 10-15 mins a day making sure everything is neat and tidy if there
is not a massive explosion of student papers getting turned in. I can't get to work without
assessing my workspace. That's usually only the visual space that I'll be tidying.”

“On a daily basis, little items at the end of the day, just putting them back where they go.”

Impact on Focus, Productivity, and Efficiency

When asked how the tidying of their workspace impacts participants’ focus and

productivity, 17 of 19 participants noted how tidying “increased [their] focus”. In

addition to increasing focus, five participants who experienced increased focus, also

noted how tidying “increased [their] productivity.” Nine of 19 participants said tidying

“increased efficiency” by making it easier and faster to locate items as needed by

reducing clutter that causes distraction. Table 6 shows exemplar quotes on the impact on

focus, productivity, and efficiency.

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 Table 6

Exemplar Quotes, Impact on Focus, Productivity, and Efficiency

Impact on Focus, Productivity, and Efficiency

Increased “In my primary role it helps me immeasurably on zoom calls because I feel I
focus can focus much more on the people I'm speaking with.”

Increased "It helps me focus to not have clutter. [...] If I see clutter my mind is instantly
focus taken away from the work I need to do to help me focus just because of that. I
just find clutter distracting. I don’t know… I just have a coaster that’s sitting
here, so why is the coaster here? I moved it."

Increased “It helps me prioritize what really is important and what I really need to do.
focus It’s like a physical representation of a mental to do list. Specifically at work, if
I have a pile of documents that need reviewing or need to be done, I like to
have that handy. [...] Allows me to only put on my mind what I need to do, and
put other stuff to the side until I absolutely need to do it.”

Increased “I’m more able to focus when it’s tidy. Because I'm not getting distracted by
focus things I see that I need to do, pick that up off the floor, arrange my DVDs. If I
see all those other things, it’s hard for me to be focused on something I’m
trying to work on.”

Increased “...now that I have a clean desk space it’s easier for me to sit down and get my
focus / work done. I feel like before I would come up with excuses for myself not to
productivity get things done. Or sitting in less optimal spaces like the couch I'll just fall into
relaxing. Carving out a physical space carves out a mental space to get more
stuff done, to focus better....I think I've gotten more productive when I'm
looking at things and not getting distracted by them.”

Increased "[Tidying has] definitely made me more productive. It has freed up mind space
focus / for me to focus on what’s right in front of me. I feel like energetically...I
productivity started to realize in the last 5 years how much clutter impacts my ability to stay
present. So I would say it’s really freed up mental space to be focused, which
then makes me more productive. There's a lot of layers in terms of
productivity, but it’s helped me gain momentum. [...] It helped me be more
productive at every level for whatever it was that I did in this space."

Increased “[Tidying] has allowed me to work more efficiently. Because things are
efficiency organized, it doesn't take a lot of time to find things whether a book, or a file,
or notes from a couple of weeks ago, I can easily go find stuff, saving time.”

Increased “[...] having more items takes away time. The more things you have to
efficiency organize the more time it takes to clean and organize. The more time I spend
cleaning, the less time I have to do other things.”

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Impact on Happiness and Creativity

When asked about the impact tidying had on participants’ happiness, themes that

emerged included: increased creativity, increased joy, increased motivation, and

increased inspiration. 10 of 19 participants mentioned how for them, tidying “declutters

the mind”. Six participants specifically noted that tidying “decreased anxiety”. Both of

these findings further support the positive impact tidying had on participants’ happiness.

Some participants mentioned how the decrease in anxiety and the decluttering of

the mind that resulted from their tidying efforts created mental space for other work to be

done, including space to process emotions, space for new personal growth opportunities,

and space for creativity to emerge. Table 7 shows exemplar quotes for impact on

happiness.

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 Table 7

Exemplar Quotes, Impact on Happiness

Impact on Happiness

Decreased “I feel more relaxed when it’s tidy. When it’s not tidy I probably feel more anxious.
anxiety Creativity -- Just with me being more relaxed when it’s tidy, it’s hard for me to be
creative when I’m not relaxed, or anxious when there’s lots of stuff lying around,
then it’s hard to be creative.”

Decreased “It relieves a lot of anxiety. Firstly, it makes my workspace much more enjoyable
anxiety because I can go in and I'm not shuffling things around and I know where
everything is-- its’ more enjoyable for me to work.”

Declutters the [...] it just lessens the noise in my head. I'm always running these to-do lists in my
mind brain and oftentimes when I'm not organized or there's clutter in my mind, that is
the first thing that is front and center in my brain and I can’t think about what else
needs to get done. [Tidying] creates space to not get distracted and get things
done.”

Declutters the “[Tidying] has a direct correlation to my mental wellbeing. [...] if I have a clean,
mind organized space I have a sense of relief, a better mental mindset.”

Declutters the “[...] having a clear space makes everything seem calmer and I’m not as anxious
mind about other stuff. When I let things pile up before I tidy then I have a lot more
anxiety. And now….a quieter space helps you have a quiet mind. I think I've gotten
more productive when I'm looking at things and not getting distracted by them.”

Created space “[Tidying] freed up more mental space. Helped me be more mindful. It also made
for new space for new opportunities to come into my life instead of worrying about my
opportunities backup plan for it. It helped me transition into the future.”

Created space “A lot of that brain clutter of thinking of all of these things I need to get done [is
for new gone and] I have more capacity to think, be creative, do meaningful projects with
opportunities colleagues.”

Created space “[...] lack of tidying distracts me… in the same way it helps me focus on work. If
for new the space is not tidy, I'll think about that instead of the emotional things I need to
opportunities process. I also think, “how can I fix my emotional ish if I can’t fix the space around
me?”

Created space “[Tidying] impacts my creativity. The more tidy it is, the more mental capacity to
for new focus on other things….if I need to think through or design something, I notice I’m
opportunities not distracted by what's in my home and I can dedicate more attention to that
creative project. But if I look around and see something out of order it will pull my
attention to that thing and take me out of that space of creativity.”

Created space "When there is a tidy space I feel like it is a fresh start, like new paint on a car. I
for new feel like there is a new chapter and I am more likely to get work done without a
opportunities distraction. I think it impacts it significantly in a positive way. Same feeling as a
new year’s resolution, it is unmarred, has a new screen. The capacity that is as
pristine or focused as the space around me.”

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Increased Satisfaction, Motivation, and Agency

The study showed a direct correlation between tidying and increased satisfaction.

As a result of the positive impact tidying has on participants’ happiness, focus,

productivity, when asked about how participants’ tidying process impacts their

satisfaction, all participants showed that tidying notably increased sense of satisfaction.

18 of 19 participant responses expressed how tidying “increased satisfaction”. One

participant shared how tidying not only increased their sense of satisfaction, but increased

their ability to have control over their actions and ability to make decisions in other areas

other their life, including their decisions at work. In other words, tidying increased their

sense of agency. Table 8 shows exemplar quotes for increased satisfaction.

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 Table 8

Exemplar Quotes, Increased Satisfaction

Increased Satisfaction

Increased “ [...] it’s very satisfying [...] Most of the satisfaction I get is because of the
satisfaction work I get to make when I'm sitting here now. It is pretty satisfying to have a
clean workspace. I definitely feel like I have enough. The thing about having
storage the way it is now, quite open and easy to see, I’m less likely to buy
duplicates now because I have a good idea of what I’ve got because it’s all
there. And that’s satisfying to know I have a good idea of what’s in my
workspace."

Increased “I feel a great deal of satisfaction when things are in order and are in place.
satisfaction There's something… I don't quite have the words. I just feel a lightness.
Even as I sit here I look around and everything is organized and in it’s
palace. It’s like a box that’s checked that I don't need to worry about. It
makes me happy to look around and see things organized. It’s not
distracting.”

Increased “Creating a sense of satisfaction when the task is successfully completed. It’s
satisfaction / like the idea of low hanging fruit. I did one thing and did it successfully and
motivation now I can go on and do other harder tasks, but I have that energy of
completing something from tidying.”

Increased “It’s again just very satisfying to complete a project and I think that’s why I
satisfaction / enjoy tidying because it's just little complete projects...throughout the day as
motivation things get used and moved, it’s a new little project to put it back. Keeping
things moving and clean.”

Increased “I generally feel satisfied after any tidying session and I think that’s why I do
satisfaction / it so often. Even if I’m stressed after a tidying session because I inevitably
motivation have more work to do… I feel like I can check something off my list. I feel
satisfied anytime something gets cleaned up.”

Increased “Oo, 1000%. I’m satisfied when things are tidy. I feel like I've accomplished
satisfaction / something. It does inspire me to do new things, new work after I do this.”
motivation

Increased “I think I traditionally have felt responsible for far too much, including other
satisfaction / people’s situations and it’s been incredibly difficult to begin to believe that if
agency I believe in my own actions and choices, including the space that I am in,
that there is something I have influence over. When I see positive results and
seeing my clean space that’s not hurting other people, it gives me a sense of
agency for other areas of my life.”

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Impact on Others

Some participants discussed how their tidying was motivated by the impact they

perceive their space to have on others, including clients, colleagues, and successors.

Multiple participants expressed how through tidying they create a welcoming space

where others can feel comfortable and effective.

Tidying also helped multiple participants navigate smoother transition planning as

it made it easier to locate items and teach others about their work processes and systems.

For the participants who discussed transition planning, they noted how tidying played a

role in the success of their transition away from a role, and their successors’ transition

into a role. Table 9 shows exemplar quotes for impact on others.

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 Table 9

Exemplar Quotes, Impact on Others

Impact on Others

How tidying “There is something beautiful about tidying and how [...] it’s about finding
impacts others harmony with the day and with what’s just gone. [With] all the caps I wear
[...] tidiness is essential to that harmony if somebody’s going to come into a
new space. If nobody does that, then nobody else can come into that space
to live or work.”

How tidying “For my workspace it's really primarily wanting people to feel good in my
impacts others space so they can be able to experience peace as they work through their
difficult situations [in my office].”

How tidying “I think it does have… a perception thing. [...] I think your desk has a lot to
impacts others say about your mind and your general persona and if I want to be perceived
as an organized put together person and how I show up, how my desk
looks, how it’s decorated [is important]. My office is my personal brand at
work. My desk and office are all an extension of me [and my] brand.”

How tidying “[...] some of that organization comes from wanting to be helpful to others.
impacts others / I worked so many places where I stepped into new positions where I'm
transition taking over the work or office space and the majority of those are really
planning disorganized and you're spending the first month or two sorting out those
files. So it’s almost in service to others, keeping things organized so that if
someone else stepped into the role, they could pick it right up. Or if I'm
sick, a coworker can go into an office and find what they need and move
on.”

How tidying “Across all my roles, I’ll oversee and manage other people and [tidying]
impacts others / makes my life easier because I can point out exactly where things are. So
transition when someone is looking for something and can't find it, they can call me
planning and I can direct them to exactly where they need to go. If I’m not able to
make it to work, I want somebody to be able to step into my role for a day
without calling me. If my space is not tidy it feels like my work is not
done.”

How tidying “[...] I was always thinking, ‘how am I going to turn this over to somebody
impacts others / else?’ I had a role that touched a lot of different things. I couldn't just go out
transition and hire a replacement for, and a lot of things I retained in my own mind
planning from experience, some documented, some not. So I focused on
documenting things and training people so I could leave and feel like I had
done my job.”

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Negative Effects

When asked specifically about any negative impacts participants experienced

through their tidying practice, participants responded with brevity. A few participants

shared how starting the process of tidying can be daunting or “overwhelming”, calling

out how a space can “look worse before it gets better” when implementing a tidying

method, particularly during the decluttering process. A couple of other participants

discussed how the idea of tidying can stir guilt within them, particularly when they feel

they haven’t tidied “enough”. Table 10 shares exemplar quotes of tidying and guilt.

Table 10

Exemplar Quotes, Tidying and Guilt

Tidying and Guilt

“I do think [tidying] does confront me on some of my hoarding tendencies. I have only
watched 2 episodes [of Marie Kondo’s show] because...guilt tripping…But it’s guilt tripping
myself. There’s so much more I should be doing. It’s not like Marie is here saying “c’mon!”.
It’s mostly me feeling guilty for not doing more.”

“There is an element that when I don't see that things are tidy, there is this weird chatter
that...almost a guilt that comes into it [saying] I can’t take care of my own mess. As a
collective, if there's only one person doing it...you need to carry the load. It can then shout back
at you when it's not being done.”

Some participants noticed their tidying practice occasionally acted as a habitual

coping mechanism for stress and anxiety management, wherein they felt reliant on

tidying to reduce their stress/anxiety: “Maybe the reliance on it to feel calm. There are

worse habits like drinking.” Two participants predicted their tidying practice could lead

to a “decreased tolerance for clutter”, which could raise the standards of tidiness to which

they may hold others accountable. Despite these brief discussions around the perceived

negative impacts of tidying, one participant kindly summarized the general sentiment that

34
emerged from among the participants as a collective, that any negative implications are

short lived and far outweighed by the positive results:

I believe there's always the chance that you’ll throw something out and it’s a

‘whoops I shouldn't have gotten rid of that. Did I tidy too much?’ Usually [that

sense of regret is] fleeting because after time, still nothing has ever come up and

no one has looked for [those items]. For the rarest of things it was way

outweighed by the joy of decluttering my life.

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 Chapter 5: Discussion

The study explored how tidying at work may be linked to increased focus,

productivity, and satisfaction at work. This chapter concludes this research study by

identifying whether the data gathered supports and advances the literature, discussing the

implications for practice in the field, and highlighting limitations of the study.

Summary

The study participants described their personal workplace tidying process as

having a discarding and organizing phase, which aligns with Kondo’s (2014) description

of tidying. In addition, participants tended to focus on seasonal decluttering efforts during

which they hone their ability to perceive which items spark joy for them. During the

organizing phase, participants designated ‘homes’ for each item, and returned items to

these homes at the end of the day.

Participants described experiencing improved focus, productivity, efficiency, as

well as increased creativity, joy, motivation, overall sense of happiness, and satisfaction

as a result of implementing a tidying practice in their personal work environment.

Because their tidying practice decreased distractions, participants also experienced

decreased anxiety and a greater sense of mental space, which allowed them to better

prioritize tasks and have a more positive, creative mentality. Findings also suggested a

relationship between a tidy space and positive perceptions of others at work, which is

consistent with research by Campbell (1979), Morrow and McElroy (1981), Sitton

(1984), and Harris and Sachau (2005). Specifically, many participants noted how their

tidying efforts are influenced by a desire to create a welcoming, clean space for others to

enjoy. Some participants also expressed how the tidiness of their workspace

36
communicated their personal brand, hinting at how tidiness influences the perceptions of

others, particularly in a work environment. A theme also emerged around how tidying

helps establish sustainable transition planning/implementation.

The reported challenges and negative effects of implementing a tidying method

were negligible. The primary concern participants expressed about implementing a

tidying practice at work involved experiencing a sense of guilt when they feel they have

not tidied enough.

Contributions to Scholarship

This study offers early literature exploring the process of tidying at work and its

perceived impact on work performance and satisfaction. While previous literature

examines the relationships between workplace environment and work performance, this

study serves as a foundation for future scholarship specific to tidying and its relationship

with work performance and satisfaction, as well as the possible link between tidying and

mindfulness.

Existing popular literature on tidying, decluttering, and organizing outlines a

process for tidying. The consistency among participant responses may support the

development of a scholarly definition of tidying based on the following:

• Discard & Declutter

1) Assessment of current items. What sparks joy?

2) Decluttering (removal) of unwanted items

• Organize

3) Implementation of a storage/organization system, resulting in a

“designated home” for each item

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 4) Daily cleanup and returning of items to designated homes

5) Seasonal decluttering and organization system review

Overall, participants found their tidying practice to improve a sense of harmony with

their work environment, which contributed to positive feelings and outcomes, including

improved focus, increased motivation, and increased happiness. These findings support

existing research on how creating a compatible work environment fosters happiness and

effectiveness (Davis, 1984; French, 1974; Heerwagen et al., 1995; Herzberg et al., 2010;

Larsen et al., 1998). Specifically, this research study explored how a tidied work

environment supports reduced distractions that influence increased focus and efficiency.

The results of the study also supported findings by Roster and Ferrari (2019), which

showed that office clutter influences workload stress, job strain, and procrastination.

Previous literature explored the relationship between tidiness and the perceptions

of others. Participant data confirmed existing research and supports the understanding

that a tidier work environment influences more positive impression-formation which may

contribute to improved relationships and long-term career advancement. The common

question that directed participants’ personal tidying practice during the declutter phase,

“Does it spark joy?”, may support further research on the relationship between

mindfulness tidying. The process of noticing what sparks joy may point to the attentional

control and attention to present stimuli that tidying requires. In addition, many of the

reported participant tidying experiences and results revealed position outcomes that align

with literature on mindfulness, including decreased anxiety and dampened stress

reactions, increased focus and attentional control, improved efficiency, increased

creativity, and more positive emotional tone (Good et al., 2016; Miner & Glomb, 2010;

38
Wadlinger & Isaacowitz, 2010). This suggests that the practice of tidying may induce

mindfulness.

While a few participants touched on the subject, the present study does not

provide enough data to contribute to research on personalization and its impact on

environmental territory and identity. The present study does however provide additional

perspective on what contributes to environmental compatibility (French, 1974;

Heerwagen et al., 1995; Kaplan, 1983; McCoy & Evans, 2005; Roster & Ferrari, 2019),

including details on how the negative impact on clutter and how the tidiness of a personal

workspace influences personal focus, effectiveness, and happiness. Because participants

expressed a sense of increased agency and motivation due to tidying their workspace, the

study also adds to research on the role environmental control plays in employee

wellbeing and job satisfaction (Altman, 1975; Lee & Brand, 2005; Wells, 1997).

Implications for Practice

Tidying as a tool to support individual wellbeing and performance. The

present study found tidying efforts among participants to contribute to environmental

compatibility, which influenced increased focus, motivation, creativity, and reduced

anxiety for individuals. Tidying at work may also contribute to the development of a

healthy sense of identity and territory at work. The increase which supported them in

creating a workspace that was not only comfortable and personally inspiring, but which

was enjoyable for others to experience as well.

Because a tidying practice may contribute to somatic work that influences

mindfulness, encouraging and supporting employees in implementing a tidying practice

39
may also contribute to employee wellbeing as mindfulness supports a wide array of

health and wellness benefits, in addition to process-related enhancements.

Tidying as a tool to support organizational wellbeing and sustainability.

Tidying reduces clutter, which is a source of distracting stimuli. Supporting employees in

implementing a tidying practice may foster stronger attentional control and focus, which

may in turn support employee productivity, an enhancement that may help organizations

thousands of dollars annually.

The present study found that a tidying practice may have positive implications for

employee relationship building. Participants found their tidying practice at work

contributed to the creation of a space that was not only comfortable and personally

inspiring, but which was enjoyable for others to experience as well. If tidying can help

create more personalized and more welcoming spaces for employees, supporting

employee tidying efforts may offer an opportunity to enhance employee collaboration

and employee relationships.

At a higher level, principles of tidying can be applied to team building and

organization development programming. Based on this research study, tidying can also

be used as a tool to develop and maintain more sustainable and effective transition

planning that reduces anxiety and creates clarity for transitioning employees.

Opportunities to implement tidying at work. Organizations may benefit from

developing policies and protocols for the retaining of and organization of documents and

materials, both digital and nondigital. Such policies could include a timeline and criteria

for destroying/deleting documents. Creating protocols for digital storage organization and

streamlining these systems across an organization can also support improved

40
performance as it may reduce the time employees spend searching for, or even recreating

necessary documents. Tidying in this sense could also lead to reduced costs by

simplifying storage and inventories, reducing waste and recycling, and better using

employees’ working energy.

By asking teams (and individuals) what does or does not spark joy for them at

work, the principles of tidying can open doors for more effective communication and

growth-oriented solutions. These types of conversations can help tidy up an organization,

so to speak, improve efficiencies, and perhaps even create space for new ideas and

opportunities to emerge once organizational clutter is removed.

It may behoove organizations to incorporate tidying training into their onboarding

programs in order to provide employees a common foundation for approaching tidying at

work. Scheduling quarterly, semi-annual, and/or annual tidying sessions at the individual,

team, departmental, and organizational levels could contribute to an ongoing growth

mindset that brings new ideas and increased activity to an organization. Support from

managers, as well as financial support for necessary organization tools, may help

employees and team adopt and maintain a tidying practice that serves the organization.

Managers should, however, be careful not to provide negative consequences or feedback

for less tidy employees. Instead, managers could work with tidying professionals to

develop opportunities that help employees develop and strengthen their tidying

capabilities.

Study Limitations

The study maintained a qualitative interview format. An additional quantitative

survey could provide meaningful, measurable data to further examine the topic of tidying

41
and its impact on work performance. The study also did not explicitly explore the concept

of tidying a digital landscape. Further research may provide insight into how tidying

practices may apply to digital materials.

The research study did not provide participants with a strict definition of both

tidying as a practice or tidiness as a characteristic. As a result, participants could have

referred to or operated under different assumptions or definitions of tidying and tidiness.

The study did not invite participants to explicitly discuss the differences between the

visual results of their tidying practice versus the process involved in their tidying

practice. Making this distinction during an interview or in a survey could help distinguish

data points that speak to the process versus the results of tidying. Because all participants

implemented a tidying method in a personal workspace prior to the research study, the

tidying methods could also not be carefully monitored to ensure consistency amongst

participants and their tidying implementation. Additionally, the study does not provide

data as to the level of conscientiousness or personal preferences for tidiness amongst

participants. Further sampling of participants that reflect a diverse range of preferences

for tidiness could yield more informative results.

The study did not invite participants to specifically address how tidying directly

influenced their relationships with managers, colleagues, or clients. Additional data on

this issue could provide meaningful insights into the connection between tidying and

workplace relationships, which may impact work performance and happiness at work,

and which may also better inform team-building practices that employ tidying. The study

also did not explore how personalization contributes to a sense of territory or personal

42
identity in a shared work environment. Further research could explore how tidying may

contribute to personalization which may also influence a sense of territory and belonging.

While this study touched on the relationship between tidying and mindfulness, it

leaves room for further exploration of how a tidying practice may induce and be linked to

mindfulness. While participants were invited to share about the questions they ask

themselves while tidying, the interview questions did not ask participants to share details

about how they identify what sparks joy. Further research could examine the experience

of noticing what sparks joy, to explore in greater depth how tidying may induce or

support mindfulness.

Furthermore, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, all participants worked

from home during the study, which could have impacted their understanding,

implementation, and the perceived effects of their workspace. Lastly, the sample size

used in the study is limited. Expanding the sample size could provide useful data that can

further contribute to the field of organization development.

Conclusion

Tidying is a relatively unstudied practice that may have benefits including

improved employee performance, wellbeing, and happiness. This study examined the

experience and impact of implementing a tidying practice for works with a personal

workspace. Research participants shared about their tidying practice, and the largely

positive effects it had on their focus, anxiety, creativity, motivation, as well as some of

the ways tidying impacted their relationships at work. Overall, the study found the

benefits of a tidying practice to be useful data that may inspire further research on the

subject. The presented findings may also support organizational strategies to implement

43
or support tidying practices for employees, teams, and other groups within an

organization.

44
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