So apparently the state of your desk in work can actually tell you a lot about yourself as a person.
Whether your desk is sparkling clean or stacked to the brim with random papers you haven’t used in months, believe it or not your personality shines through your workspace.
Well, at least according to this expert on environmental psychology, Lily Bernheimer.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Lily identified five different types work spaces. Can you figure out which one is you?
1) The Clutterer
“Cluttered, chaotic, colourful: this is the desk of an extrovert,” said Lily.
“Extroverts are excitement seekers and get easily bored without stimulation so they like to surround themselves with bright lights, materials and knickknacks related to their many activities, and warm, saturated colours like red.”
Extroverts love to surround themselves with people and offer spaces that invite people in for a chat.
“While you might think that a cluttered workspace would scare people away, a controlled amount of clutter is actually more inviting than either a sparse space or an overstuffed one.”
2) The Minimalist
“An extremely tidy and organised workspace tells people that you are very conscientious: orderly, disciplined, and cautious.
“Conscientious people tend to be hard working, reliable, focused, and achievement-oriented—they like to make plans and follow routines.
"While these are generally seen as positive traits at work, the Minimalist may not high be on the creative spectrum or innovating new strategies."
And it could also suggest to your colleagues that you have no intentions of sticking around in your job.
3) The Expander
An expander wants space, even it means annoying their co-workers.
“Every day, their portion of the desk seems to grow a little bit bigger with a new stack of files or that kettle they bought and haven’t managed to take home yet.”
“Just like dogs we like to mark our territory, but some people do this more than others."
"Highly territorial behaviour may signal that a person is more dominant and aggressive, or less sensitive to others around them.”
4) The Surveyor
“You’ll find the Surveyor sequestered away in their own little fortress at back of the office.
"Humans are instinctively drawn to spaces with refuge and prospect: seats where you have your back to the wall and a good view of what may be coming at you."
When someone has a desire for more personal space, it could often suggest that the person is an introvert and can often signify high levels of anxiety.
"But the surveyor certainly shouldn’t get a bad rap: introverts are often highly creative and productive types who need their own fortress to flourish."
5) The Personaliser
“A distinctive, stylish, and unusual workspace tells people that you are an open person: creative, intellectual, and open to new experience.
“Open people also tend to be artistic and imaginative, so you may find artwork on the wall or remnants or creative projects.
“A highly personalised office suggests that you are open as well as extroverted, though women are more likely to personalise their desk than men, and use more plants and social items like photos.
“Personalisers are more likely to have greater job satisfaction, psychological well-being, and even physical health, so a more personalised workspace has benefits for both employees and employers."
