Merriam-Webster defines clutter as to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness. Marie Kondo made a whole career (and a best selling book) about how to eliminate the clutter that fills our work and home spaces. (Although don’t listen to her about books – you need lots of those). Growing up, I used to hear that a cluttered desk was a cluttered mind. Do a cursory search for help on this matter and you will quickly discover the number of services available to help clear our houses, closets, cars, and more. Clearly, this is a problem for many of us.

As I look around my desk, there’s a lot on it, but it wouldn’t call it cluttered.  There are the things I need within easy reach including my to-do list and post-it notes. I have on it the flowers that bring me pleasure.  The walls of my office have positive reminders of my life from photos to various certificates.

So why do I still have a tough time getting started?

Because there are other types of clutter getting in my way In her blog post 4 Types of Clutter –  and How to Get Rid of Them, Stephanie Vozza has the answer, or rather Barbara Hemphill, who she quotes extensively, does. It is Hemphill who identifies the 4 types of clutter—physical, digital, emotional, and spiritual. Examples of these are:

• Physical – the things around us we can see and touch;
• Digital – emails, texts, open tabs on our internet browser;
• Emotional – issues in your life that you cannot stop thinking about;
• Spiritual – things getting in the way of hopes, dreams and purpose;

While my desk may not have a lot on it physically, once I get on my computer, digital clutter is everywhere. In addition, there are several personal issues that are an ongoing source of emotional and spiritual clutter. And it’s clear that the first two are more easily dealt with than the second – although the second two frequently lead to the first two.

Fortunately, the blog offers these three steps to help us manage these different clutters:

1. Find Your Focus – What’s your number one priority? Know what it is before you begin. Be clear on how you will start and what you will do next. If what you need to do requires opening your email or the internet, do your best to only go where you need, and close everything else afte.
2. Establish Systems – To ensure that you can stay focused, Hemphill says you need to have systems that support your focus. Unfortunately, one size doesn’t fit all, so you will need to try different things to find what works for you. For your desk, she likes a “Magic Six” rule – identify the six —and no more— things you need to be able to see. (If possible – don’t make your phone one of those since that can easily lead to digital clutter)
3. Seek Out Support – Reach out to people who truly understand what your goals are – personally and professionally – and who can support you when clutter builds in any of these areas. Hemphill recommends a five-step process where you share your vision or goal: state your vision, identify your obstacles, become aware of your resources, discuss and execute your plan, and lean on your support to help you sustain your success. Who among your family and friends can you turn to for help? They provide the caring sounding boards and help us find the best ways to deal with these most draining types of clutter.

As a leader, you have so many responsibilities. Your personal and professional life has likely seen an increase in all types of clutter. Whatever you can do to reduce your clutter can increase your productivity and create momentum for continuing. The uncluttered desk is easy. The uncluttered mind is much harder — and more valuable — to maintain.