I have just come home after a two-week sojourn in Austria, the country of my wife’s origin. During our time away, we had some internal traveling to do, both for work and for leisure.
For a few years now it has worked out that I end up doing all the driving, on our holidays. Even though the Europeans drive on the “wrong-side” of the road, and she obtained her driving license there, my wife is happiest when I drive her around.
And as anyone who is traveling with a spouse can confirm, a happy partner makes for a happy vacation. I also do not find it hard to operate a motorcar there, as I have gotten used to their left-hand driving. So, I have no real qualms about being her chauffeur.
Best of all, I get to drive with people around me who steer briskly yet conscientiously. I co-exist with drivers who keep to speed limits. I am surrounded by motorists who do not use the signal lights as an optional extra, but as a real indicator of direction. And most of all, I get used to driving without having to tailgate because everyone understands that the fast lane is actually for overtaking, and not for staking a claim, just because you were there first.
The real difficulty actually comes only when I land back home. Orderly driving is really not something that Malaysian motorists are reputed for, are we?
It occurs to me that orderliness has its consequences on highways in Europe, especially on the German autobahn. Autobahn is the German word for a highway. On most German highways, there is no speed limit. You are allowed to drive as fast as you like, or in my case, as fast as my rented Mini Cooper would go.
To be certain of the effects of the methodical driving I witnessed, I checked on some statistics. World Health Organization figures indicate that in 2013, with a population of 82.13 million people, Germany recorded 3540 road traffic related deaths. In the same year, Malaysia on the other hand, with a population of 29.47 million people, recorded 7129 traffic related fatalities.
There is a glaring disparity. Of course, there are a multitude of factors for this disproportionate piece of data. And, even as I write this, there are numerous debates in Germany on limiting their autobahn speeds.
While speed does not interest me, the consequent results of being orderly, does.
Having driven on these German and Austrian highways for the past 10 years, my experience tells me that the number of accidents are comparatively low, because of a meticulous driving style that these drivers are taught to adhere to.
Having understood this, it dawned on me that at workplaces, a similar emphasis on conscientiousness is definitely required for successful personal results.
In fact, inspired by the television programme Hoarders, in 2014, Dr. Grace Chae from Temple University in the US and Dr. Juliet Zhu of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in China, discovered during a three-year study, that efficiency and persistence were drastically reduced in people who worked in muddled conditions.
Through my work, I too have come to understand that being structured is one of the keys to an effective workplace. It seems like such an innocuous concept to discuss, but the fact remains that if you connect with the idea of organising yourself properly and being methodical, you will automatically become more efficient.
The most famous principle for an organised workplace is the Japanese 5S system. This method uses five Japanese words that translate to: sort; set in order; shine, standardize; and sustain.
This system was identified as one of the techniques that enabled the Toyota Production System; a system which is employed to eradicate overburden, inconsistency, and to eliminate waste. There is abundant research available for you to learn about, and implement this 5S method. Perhaps, you should find out more about this.
I believe strongly that being structured at work will lead you to success.
If you take pride in your working environment, you will be inclined to organise your workspace, clean up after yourself, maintain proper filing systems, and work more proficiently with your team. This will unquestionably lift your morale.
When you are tidy and inhabit an orderly office, the atmosphere you create is professional. It becomes infectious to your team, and consequently you end up adding value to your company.
Well-orderedness also demonstrates your dedication to detail, and thoughtful planning. This will increase your organisation’s confidence in you.
A frenzied work environment will obstruct your effectiveness. Conversely, a well thought-out workplace encourages you to be productive, and reduces work stress.
It also saves time, especially since you spend less time looking for things. When you establish an efficient workplace, you also establish structure. By doing this, you will accomplish more, and generate more business.
So, just like the drivers on the German autobahn who take pride in driving properly, you should take pride in your workplace by being structured, meticulous, and conscientious.