As I am writing this column, the sounds of hammers hammering, scrapers scraping and saws sawing fill the background. As a matter of fact, I am sitting in an uncomfortable chair with a laptop on my lap in a passageway full of furniture and boxes. Most would consider this an inconvenience, but to me, it is music to my ears.

After five years of working in my current office, I felt something was wrong or missing. Stacks of unopened marketing, piles of unfiled documents and searching for 20 minutes every time I was looking for something had taken its toll. Each time I entered my office, I wanted to run out again. The irony of it all is that here I am, a well-regarded interior designer, and my office looks like the inside of a blender. The old adage proves true: In the cobbler's house, the children have holes in their shoes.

Week after week, I extol the virtues of organization and neatness to my design clients and to the many readers of my column. I knew I needed help, but from whom? I needed to find a remedy to all this mess. I knew I couldn't face doing all of this work myself while at the same time managing my projects, so I enlisted the aid of a colleague, Kimberly Armstrong of Life Organized by Design. A designer herself, Kimberly specializes in organization. The minute I received her card, I knew at some point I would need her help.

Even professionals need the help of consulting professionals. Her first assessment was that I had too much of everything and would need to throw some, well, a lot of it out. I shivered at the task at hand, but heeded her advice. If anything, she would look at things with objectivity and force me to make decisions strictly based on utility and necessity. Only keep what you use and what is necessary. No what ifs.

The first couple of days were a struggle, but as things disappeared from sight, I have to admit it gave me a good feeling, and I looked forward to the next day of purging and making way for the future.

Sure enough, the future involved a compete revamp of my office. Yes, I embraced the concept of change and accepted the assessment of a professional — just as I expect my design clients to do. New office space, shelving for inventory, new client bins, and out with the outdated computers. Nothing is quite finished yet, but I know that in a few more days, when things settle and I have a new and improved work area, I will be very happy.

The environment and atmosphere of where you work can affect your mental, spiritual, emotional and physical well-being. It can get in the way of your focus and stamina and keep you from reaching your goals. Keeping in mind that your office is where you spend the majority of your time, my advice is to make it functional, clear of clutter and the most beautiful it can be. Success is on the way.

P.S.: This week's photo shows mayhem. The finished office will be shown in a future column.

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.