Tip Du Jour: Cut stress at work by getting organized

08/06/07 Courier Post Online

Tony Ellison, president and CEO of Shoplet.com, offers some tips to lower stress and improve performance and productivity in the office:

Thoroughly clean your office and throw away documents that you have not used in the past 12 months. The key to improve productivity and boost happiness at work begins with organization.

Paint your office walls or hang artwork that includes cool colors. Gray, silver, green, blue and white create a calming environment and allow you to focus on work.

Create a space for each item on your desk and in drawers and cabinets.

Keep computer, speaker and phone wires bound with a cable bundler to avoid a mess of wires under your desk.

How and where you sit is crucial to improving your performance at work. Sitting straight and turning your computer screen to avoid glare from the sun can drastically reduce fatigue and save energy for the gym or playing with kids or a pet after you get out of work.