Gretchen Reynolds, writing for The New York Times:
For some time, psychologists and other researchers have been studying how personality traits affect health and health-related choices. Not surprisingly, they have found that people blessed with innate conscientiousness, meaning that they are organized and predictable, typically eat better and live longer than people who are disorderly. They also tend to have immaculate offices.
What has been less clear is whether neat environments can produce good habits even in those who aren’t necessarily innately conscientious.
I’ve never really thought about this. As my officemates can tell you, the state of my desk’s organization is rather manic. Following the results of this study, however, it seems my desk is an extension of what kind of focus I require on a particular day. In other words, on days that I need regimented focus, my desk must be clean. Conversely, on days when I need creative freedom to solve a problem, my desk goes to hell.