As I’ve been getting settled into my new place, I’ve been thinking a lot about how best to set up my desk for maximum productivity & inspiration. I’ve been reading a lot of blog posts & articles on the subject, & I thought I would share the knowledge I’ve gleaned from them with you!
Design your workspace with intention. When I first started thinking about my home office, I wanted to plan it very carefully. So I thought about how I wanted to feel when I was in it. I decided to focus on three words: inspired, creative, & productive. It’s a good idea to figure that out early on, so that as you’re adding things you can be more selective. If something you’re adding doesn’t contribute to how you want to feel, it doesn’t belong.
Think about the place where you would feel everything you want to feel. It doesn’t have to be a desk. It could be a garden, underwater, an industrial building! It really doesn’t matter. Just think about the place where you would feel what you want to feel. Then think about ways you can incorporate elements of that place into you workspace.
Make some lists. I started with two: what does my workspace need, & what do I want? I found the overlap between those two lists & started there. Afterwards, I started adding in the other things as I could afford them & if they worked. Remember: if it feels right, it is right. No need to hire a feng shui expert! You could even start with a list of very simple changes you can make & start working from that. Just add things one by one & live with them for a bit. If one feels wrong or even neutral, change it for something that feels more right. Keep to a small budget on this — no need to break the bank!
Get rid of all but your favourite pens. Or other various & sundry office supplies that are clogging up the place. I am a bit of an office supply hoarder, but purging a whole bunch of them before I moved felt beyond good.
Good lighting. I am addicted to natural light, & I am thrilled beyond belief with the gorgeous light that comes streaming in to my place. For evening, however, I want lamp light all the way. I’m trying to find the best task lights for my desk, & it’s a constant struggle. Banish overhead lighting!
Command position. Ever noticed that office desks usually face the door? That’s what’s known as the command position. Our brains still work as hunter brains sometimes, even though we don’t necessarilty want them to, & facing the door helps you focus because a little part of your brain is not always worried about someone sneaking in on you!
Keep it tidy. You’ll be more productive! Take five minutes (set a timer if you’re bad at remembering!) at the end of every working session to get yourself back to proper tidiness. To that end…
Use a paper management system. Both Getting Things Done & The Nerdist Way are full of great ideas for making your paper trail less conspicuous.
Have you put some thought into your workspace? I’d love to see pictures of where you work! Chat it up in the comments, lovelies!
