It’s time to simplify your career, organize your workspace, and increase the joy you find in your job.
Does your job bring you joy? Is your workspace neat and orderly? These were some questions we pondered while applying the Marie Kondo method to our careers. Kondo, a renowned organizer, gained fame with her bestselling book, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing," and has become a cultural icon through her Netflix show.
Her approach is straightforward: avoid being overwhelmed by clutter; let go of what doesn’t bring happiness; organize your space, and simplify wherever possible. Here are six effective ways to implement her method in your career.
Kondo's Principle: Your items should not control you.
Apply it to: Prioritizing downtime for yourself and your technology.
When you wake, resist the urge to check your phone; avoid emails for the first hour, advises personal and executive coach Keren Eldad.
“Jumping into emails right away means you're addressing others' needs before your own, which isn’t a great start to your day,” she explains. Instead, nourish yourself with a healthy breakfast or listen to uplifting music. “It’s your day,” she adds. “Start it off positively.”
A brief digital detox can significantly decrease frustration, according to Dorothy Spira, a productivity expert. Even minimizing notifications can be a great way to streamline your digital space, she suggests.
Kondo's Principle: We need spaces—and mindsets—free from clutter.
Apply it to: Mastering the art of saying “no.”
Learning to say no is crucial, says Kylie Carlson, Founder of The Academy of Wedding & Event Planners. “Everyone wants to do it all, but that’s simply not feasible. I’ve learned to trust my instincts when something doesn’t feel right or if I lack the time, so I don’t ignore that inner voice anymore. I kindly turn down tasks that add unnecessary stress or don’t align with my brand.”
Women, in particular, may feel pressured to be agreeable, explains Sharon Rowe, CEO of Eco-Bags Products and author of "The Magic of Tiny Business: You Don’t Have to Go Big to Make a Great Living."
“Consider how often you’ve regretted saying yes to something, felt guilty, and then wasted valuable time completing it. Be honest about your limits,” she advises. Frame your responses to reclaim your time, like saying, “I have a minute for you, then I have a meeting,” or simply, “No.”
Kondo's Principle: Visualize the clutter-free life you want.
Apply it to: Incorporating to-do lists into your daily habits.
Creating a daily to-do list can help structure your day in manageable time segments, ensuring you achieve your goals, Eldad suggests. “Every day, I outline my tasks, starting with the most daunting one. I tackle it first because my energy is finite, and it needs to be done.”
A to-do list also helps define a clear start and end to your workday. “We all need breaks. If you let work spill over into your personal life, it leads to burnout. Setting strict start and end times enhances efficiency and helps you focus on what’s important,” Rowe explains.
Kondo's Principle: Let go of what doesn't bring joy to make room for happiness.
Apply it to: Engaging more in activities that excite you.
Ensuring you utilize your skills daily is crucial, according to Heather Monahan, author of Confidence Creator. Reflect on whether you’re following your true passions. While every job has its dull tasks, try to focus on the work you find fulfilling.
Don’t wait for your annual review to express how you feel: Use any spare moment with your boss to share your thoughts. Say, “I’ve really enjoyed this type of work. Can we discuss reallocating some of my less enjoyable tasks?”
“No one wants unhappy employees, and often, people don’t communicate their discontent,” Monahan notes. “Speak up. Your supervisor may have solutions.”
Kondo's Principle: Keep only those things that spark joy.
Apply it to: Removing toxic relationships from your workplace.
The KonMari philosophy promotes surrounding yourself with positivity—Monahan suggests the same for your circle: Engage only with those who uplift you.
“At work, it’s normal to interact with people you may not prefer, but avoid spending time with chronic complainers,” she advises. “If a negative colleague invites you out, feel free to decline. Simply say, ‘I can’t make it. Thanks for understanding.’ Gratitude can help close the conversation.”
Kondo's Principle: A clutter-free environment leads to a streamlined life.
Apply it to: Organizing your workspace.
Getting organized doesn’t mean sacrificing personality, says Jamie Fertsch, co-founder of Xdesk, makers of the Evodesk XE standing desk converter. “Choose fun items like colorful pencil holders and drawer organizers.”
While personal mementos can be nice, they often clutter your desk. Limit yourself to one personal item to maximize your workspace.
A tidy office reduces visual distractions and makes locating items easier, Spira states. “With a serene workspace, it’s much simpler to maintain focus throughout the day.”
