4. Having a cluttered desk

If you have papers that are piled up so high around you and under your table such that you have difficulty even finding a place to sit or do proper work, it might be a good idea to start cleaning your workplace.

A cluttered desk may lead to disorganisation, a bad impression on your colleagues and a similarly messy mind, said sixwise.com.

Disorganised people do not realise how much time they have wasted trying to find things, reported the New York Times (NYT). And when things cannot be found, they procrastinate further, which lowers their productivity, continued the report.

To organise your desk better, set aside a few hours - outside of regular office time - to clear the mess.

Start with a simple filing system with a multi-folder file and label each section with general tabs like "meetings" or "ideas".

Keep the files that you will use most often near you and those that are used less often in your drawer, said NYT.