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Do you have a hard time getting stuff done around the office? Do you struggle to stay focused on the task at hand? This isn't because you are not getting enough sleep a night.

The reason why you are having a hard time being productive is the number of stimuli that your brain is taking in at any given moment.

Get Rid Of Stimuli##

Pause for a second and take a look at your desk, I'll wait. How many items do you have on your desk right now? If it takes two hands to count you have too much on your desk.

Your brain has a certain amount of bandwidth that it will use before it is depleted and needs to be replenished by sleep. Trinkets, pictures, papers and other knick-knacks that are laying on your desk will drain the bandwidth of our brain.

The best way to optimize your mental focus is to eliminate everything that is not vital to your job. The fewer things that you have to distract you the better. Trust me your brain will thank you for stopping the deluge of stimuli coming its way.

You will notice that you can get things done quicker and think clearly once you get rid of the unnecessary stuff.

Ditch The Office Chair##

According to the American Heart Association, the average American sits for 6 to 8 hours a day. Numerous studies have shown that sitting for extended periods of time increases the risk of heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes.

If you have any of these conditions in your family history or belong to an ethnic group that has an elevated risk for these circumstances, getting rid of the chair could save your life.

Ditching the office chair is not only health it also removes the urge to procrastinate. It's easy to surf the internet on the computer or your phone when you are sitting down. It's almost become an addictive habit for most people.

I can't count how many times I've notice people whip out their smartphones the moment they sit down.

This happens at the doctor's office, dentist, auto dealerships and especially at work! The average person "checks" their phone 46 times a day, in which most of these check ins are happening at work.

Did you know that it takes 23 minutes for your brain to refocus on a task after checking your phone? No wonder it's hard to get anything done these days!

If you are standing up, you are much less likely to look at your phone for two reasons. One, it's noticeable that you are not working. Who wants their boss staring at them to get back to work? Secondly, you will be more focused to get the job done because of the increased blood flow to your brain.

There are plenty of companies that offer standing desks. Here is a link to a few of them.

• Varideks
• Uplift Desk
• Stand Up Desk Store

Fresh Coat Of Paint For Your Minimalist Office Space##

If you have the time or the money consider giving your newly minted minimalist office space a new coat of stress reducing paint. The color of the paint on your wall can help you relax and focus. Choose a color that works best for you.

Did you know that watery blue colors are known to reduce stress and lower blood pressure? If you are not a fan of blue, try some of these other colors for a change.

• Lavender
• Pale Gray
• Gray-Blue
• Aqua
• Pale Pink
• Beige
• Pale Green
• White
• Black

Try using some of these minimalist productivity tips today.

Robert Hall is a freelance writer. Minimalist. Free-thinker.