Whether you are working from a company office or from your own home, maximizing your productivity is paramount. A clean, well-designed workspace can help you with that. Here is what you should focus on to create a space that will make focusing a breeze.
Remove clutter
Few things can be as detrimental to your productivity as mess and clutter around you. Clutter is distracting: you cannot hope to focus when there are piles of paper around you, reminding you of unfinished tasks, and pointless knick-knacks taking away your attention from work. Physical clutter will result in mental clutter, raising your stress levels and ruining your productivity. So, start by cleaning up and minimizing the number of unnecessary items in your workspace. Have a good storage system so that things can be within reach while not taking up space on your desk. Don’t put away absolutely everything – things that you use all the time should be neatly organized on your desk.
Minimize distractions
Besides clutter, there are likely a slew of other kinds of distractions ruining your productivity, from noisy streets and chattering co-workers to constant notifications popping up on your phone. You will be doing yourself a favor by dealing with these as best you can. If you’re working from home, try to place your workspace in the quietest part of your house where you won’t be disturbed by constant foot traffic. If you don’t have the luxury of choice in your office, equip yourself with good noise-canceling headphones. You can listen to music or white noise that helps concentration.
Maximize natural light
Natural light is one of the most effective ways to boost productivity, therefore, if you’re in a position where you can influence the amount of light your workspace gets, be sure to make the most of it. Of course, what kind of lighting is optimal will depend on the kind of work you do, but don’t underestimate the power of a well-lit space. Not only will you feel more energized in such a space, but you will also steer clear of headaches and eye strain caused by poor lighting or fatigue-inducing fluorescent bulbs.
Protect your health
Comfort and productivity go hand-in-hand together, so it’s essential that you prioritize the right kind of furniture to boost both. Ensure that your chair is comfortable and provides enough support for long working hours. Your desk and computer screen need to be the optimal height to steer clear of neck and hand pain, too. Sitting down for extended periods of time is detrimental to your health, so ensure that you have the opportunity to move around and change positions. If you do a lot of work while standing up, look into anti fatigue mats that will prevent pain and make sure you aren’t standing in the same position for too long.
Add some personality
A minimalistic workspace can feel cold and alienating. Adding some personality to it will make you feel more pleasant while spending time in this space. While you shouldn’t bring in a lot of decorations, a few tasteful additions will make you feel more “at home” even if you’re in your company office. A motivational poster, a personal calendar, or a photo of your loved ones are all additions that don’t take up much space but can motivate you to stay productive.
Green it up
Even if you don’t include a lot of personal décor in your workspace, there is one thing that you shouldn’t skip: greenery. Greenery has the power to instantly bring life into any space, but its benefits go beyond interior décor when it comes to workspaces. The presence of nature actually lowers your stress levels and improves your ability to focus. The color green also boosts creativity, which can help you in your work. Equipping your workspace with a few potted plants will simply make you feel happier.
Optimize the temperature
Did you know that office temperature is in direct correlation with the level of productivity in the space? While this is a complex issue and it is hard to say that there is one right answer, the fact of the matter is that being too hot or too cold makes it more difficult for you to focus. At home, you are fully in control of this and can adjust the temperature of your space freely. However, in a shared office setting, things can get complicated. Try to arrive at an agreement with your colleagues instead of simply going for the thermostat to avoid conflict. If the temperature is really obstructing your ability to focus–for instance, if you’re sitting directly under the air conditioner–raise this issue with your employer. If nothing else, bring a blanket or a space heater to your office.
A poor workspace can ruin your productivity without you ever realizing what’s amiss. Make sure you don’t fall into this trap but optimize your work area so that you can stay focused and energetic.
