Five Design Tips for Your Office

by Lou Stewart, EcoDesigner

Are you suffering from a working environment that is drab, over-crowded or just plain unappealing?

If you are like many, you jumped right into your work and didn’t think much about setting up your office in the most effective and creative way. Or perhaps as your business grew and changed, you forgot to do the same with your environment….so things have just piled up over the months and years.

 Now more than ever it’s imperative to feel good in your office space because our environment provides the background for our work. Here are 5 Design Tips to enhance your workplace and make it an inspiring space for YOU to accomplish your highest aspirations. 

1) First and foremost: Clear the Clutter.

Yes, I know you’ve probably heard this many times, but it still remains the #1 obstacle that people face in their working and living environments. 

The best way to keep up with organizing and clearing clutter is to schedule a weekly session with yourself to tackle the piles.   

I like to do mini-sessions weekly and then if I get a big pile from certain projects, I will do a longer session once a month. Don’t try to do your whole office in one session….you’ll get overwhelmed and discouraged. Keep the sessions focused on small tasks and you’ll stay on track and inspired to do it more often.

And remember, rewarding yourself afterwards always helps!

 2) Take Command of your Space.   

Make sure your desk is in a strong and commanding position. When you sit at your desk, the most commanding position is to be able to see the door. If you cannot position your desk in this way, then place a small mirror to act as a rear view mirror for you. Your subconscious mind always feels more at ease when your back is protected. 

3) How’s Your Throne?

Is your chair ergonomically challenged? Many times I have worked with clients who are trying to build their business while sitting on an old, wobbly, duct-taped chair. 

Now you may be thinking, aren’t there more important things to be spending my money on? 

 Hummm……I think you are worth it! Give yourself and your back a treat. Invest in a supportive and comfortable chair – I promise you will immediately feel more supported and successful! 

4) Windows to Your World.

 Now this may sound wacky, but clean windows can make a big difference in your daily perspective.

A clean window offers you a clear perspective. 

 Having a clear view outdoors is more important than most people realize. Studies have shown that employees are much happier when they have a window to look out….and why not make it a clean one? In Feng Shui, the windows represent the eyes of a structure. 

 Once you’ve cleaned your windows, remember to look out often to change your eye focus, especially if you work at a computer. And if your windows are operable, how about opening them to let in some fresh air? 

5) What is inspiring to you?

 Many times we get so bogged down with our day-to-day tasks that we forget to keep the big picture in mind. What inspired you to do the work that you do? Why are you doing it? Make room for some inspiring things in your working environment. 

Some ideas clients have used are:

• Inspirational quotes posted near their computer

• Pictures of mentors or colleagues who inspired them

• Awards of certificates of accomplishment

• Frame your Vision statement and hang it on the wall

• Screen savers that have special meaning

• Objects bought as a reward for a job well done (i.e. clutter clearing)

• Inspiring artwork  

Doing these five simple steps can make a huge difference in your workday. After doing these, my clients have told me they are much more content and energized at work. If you want to BE successful, you must FEEL successful and these insightful solutions can help you do that. Enjoy!

Copyright Lou Stewart 2008   www.LouStewart.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Lou Stewart is an eco-friendly Interior Designer and Feng Shui practitioner who assists her clients in designing inspiring and comfortable surroundings. To learn more about creating spaces that support YOU, go to LouStewart.com sign up for some FREE design tips. You can also learn more about this in her book, Your Way Home – The Psychology of Place Inside and Out at Amazon.

NOTE: You’re welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to: Lou@LouStewart.com.

Your Way Home – The Psychology of Place Inside and Out

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