Cleaning My Office

What does a Clean Office look like?

A clean room is a defined space which maximizes the probability that its creator’s interaction with the room accelerates the accomplishment of the goals the creator established ahead of time…

Such as to fall asleep and awake fully rested and ready each morning due to the habits perpetuated in their clean bedroom. Or to awake and settle right into a work routine upon sitting at the office desk. Or to effectively prepare food in a kitchen. Relax in the den. ect.

I intended to release this last weekend. A theme of incompletion is present. At least it is known and therefore can be analyzed and reduced. (Atomic Habits)

The internal need to have my office completely clean reminds me I’m not properly oriented. Observe. Orient. Decide. Act.

The end configuration had not been decided. I was paralyzed, like a prey animal, frozen in place, hoping I might not notice my inaction.

Impossible of course, I knew I had publicly written about writing this “Clean Room” article as my next newsletter. Having managed to avoid the actual cleaning, it would have been contradictory to post about cleaning when I myself had been unable to follow my own recommendations…

Since then I managed to decide upon the structure. I’ve got a critical deadline rapidly approaching which could derail the intended outcome if missed. Which is the impetus for needing to have it cleaned by the publishing of this article.

Compartmentalization

I’ve split the room into 3 sectors with 3 sub sectors. I’ll continue dividing the abstractions into 3s to elucidate the cycle and experience which my thoughts intend to make of the space. Feedback loops are important.

Left Side: Research, Development, Experimentation

Center. Writing, Production, Prototyping

Right side: Editing, Upgrading, Publicizing

Then there are the tools which facilitate those highly abstracted ideas, contained within words. Screens, Keyboard, Mouse, Speaker, Microphone, Camera, paper, pens, books, wires, 3D printer, ect. These will need permanent homes inside the room.

What is Clean? Am I Clean?

No. I’m not exceptionally clean, but I’m more clean than I was yesterday… Which is the correct perspective and measurable metric. Never compare yourself to other people’s situations “Comparison is the the thief of joy”.

To "clean" my mind, I need to establish an environment which facilitates my positive daily routines that act as a self built guiding pathway through the chaos of life. Just like a garden pathway, these routines keep me on track and help us direct our attention to the most important tasks first. See: Atomic Habits.

While we can't predict or control everything, having a set of established habits connected to our environment increases the probability we stay disciplined and focused on our goals, helping us steer towards our destination harbor port even when the seas of life get rough. Bigger boat (stronger structure) better results. “Show me a man’s habits and I will show you his future”

Tempest Tossed Souls. Wherever ye may be, under whatsoever conditions ye may live. Know This. On the ocean of life, the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming, keep your hands firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding master. He does but sleep. Wake Him. Self control is strength. Thought is Mastery. Calmness is power. Say unto your heart: Peace, Be Still - James Allen’s: As A Man Thinketh

Finally Configured

Having decided it becomes time to act. I removed any items which did not fit the purpose of the room within the outline mentioned earlier. I boxed them up and put them in storage. Now only left with hardware which can be put to work in service of the room’s purpose I laid out where each item ought to go.

One computer monitor, keyboard & mouse went on the left side of the room. Along with an Idea whiteboard/blackboard, as well as the necessary markers. There is a table for simple experiments too.

Centered in the room is a standing desk with a camera facing the window where I can stand to type, design, or record videos. There is to the left of the computer a lab like table space for wiring electronics and converting experimental ideas into prototypes. Alongside the 3D printer.

On the right side of the room is a desk with another computer, but with a comfy chair to sit in. As well as foam noise isolating blinders to maintain focus on editing and publishing.

These computers are all on the same network and have some ability to share files and data. They could theoretically be unified, but the point of their separation is to compartmentalize the actions and stages of production. Reducing friction for completion, like they have for the completion of this article.

Feedback

During this long and drawn out process of Observing, Orienting, Deciding, and Acting. I recognized there will need to be a feedback loop of some kind which facilitates the improvement of my utilization of the space.

That’ll be for the next newsletter! Along with some other surprises!

I’m working to figure out if a lifetime access option can be made available. Check back next week for that option. Thank you for reading. You make it worth writing.

I know it’s bad but at least it got written and published… Aiming to be more prompt next week.