It was a designed silence on online platforms over the last two months. I was transitioning into my new role in the last two months. During this period, I had planned to set aside some time to retrospect, reflect & reset certain aspects of my life. I wanted to share one such thought today in this post.
One interesting reflection that emanated from having closely working with Manufacturing Companies was the relevance & application of 5S principles in our personal lives. 5S principles is considered the foundational aspect of Toyota Production System. 5S roughly translates to Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain. It underscores the need for a clean, organised workplace, as a key factor in achieving consistently good results. Among many things that 5S teaches us, I felt, one important thing we can easily apply in our lives is to identify a standard place for every small thing and make it a point to keep it there all the time.
5S describes how to organize a work space for efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and storing the items used, maintaining the area and items, and sustaining the new order
This is definitely not new though. Most of us would remember our elders would have been proponents and practitioners of this discipline from a long time. There are some people out there, who are inherently organised and practice this discipline. However, some of us have to put effort to that end. Motivation for me came in the form of 5S.
Over last 15 years, I had accumulated a lot of stuff at home, especially in my personal space. New things were being acquired, old things were not disposed. The clutter was not restricted to just the physical things around me like desk, books, broken electronic items, chargers, important documents etc. In fact, my macbook was so cluttered with messy unorganised folders, I used to hesitate to open it. During the year end holidays, I took time to sort my things, critically categorising things I want and that I don’t want, identifying a place for each of the items, & setting it in order. The most difficult thing was to give up. Deciding that I didn’t need something although it was in a usable condition is the hardest choice to make. I went through the drill.
Once sorted and organised, it motivated me to keep going and sustain the new order. This may sound simple and to be honest, my dad has been advising me to follow this since the time I can remember. However, there are certain things, that one needs to realise from within. The small habit of keeping things back in its place after its use is such a powerful discipline. I am now appreciating it and intently practising it.
It is intriguing how a clean, organised & minimalistic personal physical space inspires & reflects in the mind space also.
Resource: https://www.5stoday.com/what-is-5s/ Photo by Arthur Lambillotte on Unsplash