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Minimalism In the Workplace: Lessons Learned from 326 Square Feet

  • Megan Jones
  • Apr 19, 2016
  • 5 min read

In March of 2015, I presented to my colleagues on a topic close to my heart: the benefits of minimalism. I entitled the presentation "Minimalism in the Workplace: Lessons Learned from 326 Square Feet."

The presentation was inspired by my adoption of the principles of minimalism in my own life, catapulted forward by living in a 326 square foot apartment in San Francisco.

I presented 4 of my own "minimalism lessons" and explained how each lesson manifested itself in my life and at my job.

Minimalism Lesson 1

"Experience Kicks Ass. Stuff is Overrated."

In My Life...

I typically value experiences over material possessions. But, when I moved into 326 square feet, my tendency was no longer a choice. In 326 square feet, it became mandatory to value experiences over possessions. Immediately, every new material possession I bought introduced a very simple problem: where am I going to put that thing?

Is re-engineering my closet worth that cute $8 t-shirt on sale? Usually not!

At My Job...

While our clients usually pay for a "deliverable" such as a website or app, they are really paying for the experience of doing business with someone who cares.

It's so important to value the privilege of working with our clients over the "thing" we're providing.

With this new attitude, I'm relaxed and focused when I visit a client. I recognize that it is a privilege to be in my client's work environment and experience days with them, rather than simply finish a deliverable.

Minimalism Lesson 2

"Cleanliness really is next to godliness."

In My Life...

When I moved into the small apartment, I immediately became a tidier person out of necessity.

There was no option to leave the unfolded laundry on the armchair for 2 days because...well...then there would be no place to sit. Since my bed was the largest design feature in the entire apartment, I took pride in making it every day so my home was tidy and welcoming. There was no ignoring the dishes in the sink...because they were right next to my bed.

At My Job...

Just as having a disorganized home can cause anxiety and inefficiency, having a disorganized email inbox can cause unnecessary anxiety in your workday. For me, email is the most pervasive source of distraction in the workday. To cut down on distraction and increase focus, I adopted the following system.

I have 3 folders for every email I receive:

1. Action folder --> Emails that require that I take an action that will take 15 minutes or less

2. Read/Review folder --> Emails that require that I take an action that will take 15 minutes or more

3. Archive folder --> I've read it and understand it and do not need to take any particular action

With these folders properly managed, they essentially become my to-do list for the day, rather than a never-ending backlog of "oh I didn't get to that."

Just as I learned to "delete" possessions from my apartment, I learned to do the same in my inbox.

Anything that sits around without purpose is taking up my energy and valuable space. Adopting these simplistic categories for my email required an important shift in perspective on the all powerful "Delete" button. The delete button is not something to be afraid of - it is something that can focus and empower your workday.

Minimalism Lesson 3

"Just say what's bothering you."

In My Life...

Living in 326 square feet with my husband was a challenge - it would be for anybody. The most positive and impactful change in our relationship from living in a small space was that we learned to escalate and resolve conflict faster. Once my mother quipped in reference to the small apartment,

"What do you two do when you fight? There's not even any doors to slam!" I jokingly responded, "We solve it, or one of us sleeps on the street."

While this was a sarcastic exchange, it truly revealed what was so impactful about living in a small space. When living in a small space, there is no such thing as avoiding your spouse by watching TV in the other room or eating dinner in isolation.

With our physical distance shortened, our emotional distance also decreased in size, resulting in faster conflict resolution.

At My Job...

How many times have you elected to send an email to a colleague you don't agree with instead of getting up and walking 100 yards to their desk and talking it out? How many times have you chosen to not respond to an email or deal with a tense meeting because it was easier to retreat to your desk or personal space and "focus on your work?"

Imagine if you were forced into a tiny room with the colleague you have a conflict with. How long would it take before the barriers came down and you got to the bottom of the issue? My guess is that it wouldn't take very long at all.

With the barriers down in my own relationship at home, I noticed a strong shift in how I treated conflict resolution at work. I took on the mentality of "ok, if this person were sitting here next to me, how would I deal with this?" That frame of mind shifted my actions from those of defensiveness and angst to those of compassion and understanding.

Minimalism Lesson 4

"Yes, you can!"

In My Life...

This is a simple, obvious lesson, but nevertheless important to reiterate. I can't tell you how many times people told me, "Oh you can't live in that small of a space - you'll go insane! You'll kill each other! It will be awful!" You know what? Those were all irrational fears that proved to be untrue.

Living in a small space was a hardship in my life that resulted in positive change.

At My Job...

After the experience of living in a small space, I more frequently embrace my ability to experience the positive effects of a seemingly difficult situation. When people say it can't be done, I find energy in the memory of this experience.

I think to myself, "ok, maybe it will be hard, but I think it can be done and I know I can turn it around as an opportunity for growth."

My Favorite Minimalism Resources:


 
 
 

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