19. No one wants to work at a messy desk and look lazy or sloppy. But does a messy desktop actually make you either of those things? Not all disorders mean you're out of control. Even Steve Jobs thought his personal charm came from his messy desktop.
People who prefer a messy desk have their own ideas. Some think it makes them comfortable. A too-tidy room can sometimes make them uncomfortable, because it seems there is no place to rest their feet. Some believe it helps them concentrate more easily. Messy tables can make it easier to focus on the tasks, just like some novelists can write patiently in a noisy cafe. Others may be perfectionists. For those who strive for perfection, tasks are either 100% or 0% performed. Therefore, they usually put away the less important things and perform the most important ones perfectly, which leads to paper mountains on the desktop.
Many people are labeled as "sloppy" and "inefficient" because of messy tabletops. However, when we see the desks of Albert Einstein, Mark Twain and Mark Zuckerberg—pioneers of their times—things might change. Obviously, the world embraces uniformity and order, it also never refuses regular disorder, which seems like a mess but runs in an organized way.
In an experiment done by psychologist Kathleen Vohs, participants (参与者) were asked to come up with new uses for ping-pong balls. Both participants in the messy and clean offices created the same number of ideas. However, those in the messy room came up with more interesting and creative ideas. People who don't keep a neat and tidy desktop can actually develop organizational skills and manage work and thoughts successfully, even while swamped in (淹没于) piles of books, notes and documents.
In spite of great disorder, a messy desktop presents information clearly, which can sometimes inspire us unconsciously (无意识地). Research has found people working with a messy desktop are more likely to be creative and willing to take risks, while people with a tidy one tend to follow the rules and are less likely to try new things. Vohs says, "Disorderly environments seem to inspire breaking free of tradition, which can produce fresh insights."
But a messy desk might not be ideal all the time. When you need new ideas, a messy desk might be a good choice; but when you want to be efficient (高效的) and perform a task successfully, it seems better to make a desk clean and tidy.
No matter what kind of desk you prefer, we hope you feel comfortable and enjoy it!