Energize Your Workspace

Opening the door to my office on Monday mornings, my energy would instantly begin to drain away.  I’d become so accustomed to the environment that I stopped noticing the Grey Poupon-colored walls, speckled white ceiling tiles, flourescent lights, 30-year old gray vertical blinds and mottled brown carpet speckled with blue and gold.  Spending half of my weekday hours here, I sat behind the chipped faux wood desk eying stacks of paper and a vanity wall filled with mismatched business tchotckes.  A fuzzy coating covering the decade-old silk flowers, the place hadn't been dusted in a year.  No wonder I didn't feel revved, even after a grande non-fat latte.

A major redo was a must, but was it possible? I could not change the paint, ceiling, lighting, blinds, carpet or the furniture.  But, I was determined.  I had struggled with my work space too long and in one night, with the help of a feng shui-literate friend, it transformed.  From corporate utilitarian to Zen-inspired haven, I reinvented my office space and, you can too.  

To start, banish the clutter.  Every surface should be cleared and thoroughly dusted.  Afterwards, go through each item and ask yourself whether or not you absolutely, positively must have it to work.  This includes the shrine to your kids and pets, the friendly postcards from the Grand Canyon, the collection of empty coffee cups and even the hanging certificates that prove a job well done.  

Leaving only the things you can't live without; next, reorganize your drawers and cabinets so everything has a home.  You can keep a couple of family photos on your desk, but box up everything else and take it home.

Adding life to your work space is simple. On your desk or table, add a small potted plant. And if you have room on the floor, a large plant in a decorative pot will further enhance the effect.  There is one rule though… No fakes allowed! Watering and caring for the real thing will help keep you connected to the natural world, even if you are cooped up on the top of a towering downtown building. 

Counteract the “hospital effect” by supplementing the lighting ambiance. Add a lamp for your space and equip it with a bulb made for reading.  Turn it on when you arrive and don’t turn it off until you leave.  Throughout the day, the brighter, cleaner light will minimize the sallow tones of the overhead flourescents.

Perk up the air. A scentless solid freshener will do the trick, but don't forget to renew it every 2-3 months.  Or take the natural route; a lighted salt dome is both purifying and décor-friendly.  An essential oil infuser with a light, perfumeless scent is the perfect finishing touch, but check with your neighbors first.

Resist the urge to cover the walls with bulletin boards and ton of small things. Think big. Hang large pictures or paintings that bring you happiness and serenity.  Enlarged and framed, a few special photos I took in Greece and Tibet now decorate my office walls.

A small table-sized waterfall is my favorite office addition. Rushing down the slate tower and over the water rocks, the sounds of water create a soothing daytime soundtrack.  And because I love rocks and minerals, I placed a large clear crystal on my desk and an amethyst and rose quartz on a table.  For a similar effect, you can also try filling a small glass bowl with an assortment of semi-precious, colored rocks.

A strategically placed mirror will can add light and space to a room. An important tool in feng shui, mirrors can also counteract negative qualities, like an inability see the door, in your space,

One of my colleagues keeps a fishbowl with a single goldfish on her desk.  Changing the water once a week may be a hassle, but watching a finned friend is great fun!

If it won’t bother your neighbors, music (without the chatter of deejays) is a fantastic way to perk up a space.  Try one of the several free internet stations that stream music without commercial interruption or bring in a small stereo to play your ipod and CDs.

If you're feeling radical, Native Americans burn white sage as a cleansing ritual for space.  You can purchase a small wand from most New Age stores.  Starting it at the door, light the sage and circle the room. Finishing where you began, the smoke helps disperse accumulated negative energy. When you are finished, extinguish the wand in water.  The smell (which is similar to an illegal substance)  will quickly dissipate, but be careful not to violate any rules.  If you are unsure, ask before striking the match.

Creating an efficient and comfortable office space is essential. The quality of your work and life suffers when “something feels off.” It’s easy to fall into old patterns, so stop every couple of months to reassess. You will be surprised at how good (and productive) it feels to be space concious!

Watch my office transform before your eyes, the video is on absolutelyInTheLoop.com and CarlaPowers.com.

WEB EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: 

"ZEN"ing the Office Part I from Carla Powers on Vimeo.

"ZEN"ing the Office: Part II from Carla Powers on Vimeo.