I tend to quantify how busy I am by how much of my desk I can see.  This photo is pretty good.  I seem to have it under control at the moment. 

This photo represents that I am at the end of a program taking place today, heading into another program next week and planning for another happening next month.  Not too shabby.  I would say that today I am the right amount of busy.  I'm running around the building making things happen, but not so overwhelmed that I lose things on my desk.  (That happened earlier this week and it was frustrating).  I'm also not bored with a completely clean desk, which makes me happy.  As much as I don't enjoy being completely swamped I loathe being bored more.   

At my last job at Rider I can honestly say that my desk was never clean.  Every week I would come into the office and say, "By Friday, I'm going to be able to see my desk."  Then Monday went by, I got a new client, then Tuesday, an existing client needed a contract, then Wednesday, the summer program needed its marketing piece, then Thursday, we had an unexpected meeting come up about our sales for the summer, then Friday, and it was over.  It wasn't that I was less organized than I am now, but the job was enough for at least two people. 

This isn't a knock on Rider because I had a blast doing that job.  The nature of the job was completely different then what I do now.  I was working 50-60 hours a week year-round (80-90 hours in the summer) and having a fabulous time.  When I gave my 2 weeks notice, my desk became cleaner by the day.  As it got cleaner, I gained clarity.  I was sad to leave a job that had me entertained and busy 6 to 7 days a week because I enjoyed my work, but when I began my new job at UNC I came in with great perspective about what I needed for my life and career. 

Last week my desk was a mess.  This came through in my stress level.  The amount of work I had to accomplish seemed insurmountable.  Most of this week was the same.  However, I believe my hard work the past 2-3 weeks has paid off because my desk is getting back in shape and I am regaining my sanity.  It's funny how I am able to measure my workload by the state of my desk.

How about you?  Do you use the cleanliness of your desk to quantify your workload? Stress level? Progress?

I think my desk says a lot about me, which I guess can be good and bad.