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FENG SHUI HACK
So you want to instant set up a home office to kick off tomorrow, but have no clue where to start ? I have put together a couple of guidelines that draw from my professional training and work experience as well as from my personal life as a working mum with a home office. I hope these tips will make the transition to set up a home office easier for you. No matter how small your new dedicated work space is : with a few feng shui tricks you can make the tiniest office nook a productive place with positive energy flow. The Chinese practice of feng shui dates back several millennia and basically involves arranging your environment in a way that everything harmonizes and stimulates positive energy. According to these principles, using feng shui in your home office can help enhance productivity, creativity and even your earnings. Here is how to : |
1 - SET YOUR INTENTION
First things first, ask yourself : what is the function of my home office ? What do I intend to spend most time on ? For example writing, marketing, phone calls, sketching, music production ? Make a list of all essential items, such as furniture and equipment and envision the day to day tasks in your office to establish a function diagram for your office incorporating the essential activities.
2- DEDICATED FOR WORK ONLY
Find a space big enough to house everything you need for your function diagram to fit in. Your office space should not be used for anything else than work. In case you are tempted to “just pop your laptop on the dining table” keep in mind you will have to pack everything up after each use and have to set it all up again for your next round of work. This will waste precious time and also prevent you from doing short work sprints, which is most likely the only way to get any work done, if you have children…
Ideally use a spare room or at least a dedicated table and chair. If you really don’t have a space in the house you can dedicate, set up a new one ! Use the camping desk and the spare chair from your guest bathroom and set it up in an unused corner.
If you can’t dedicate a whole room for work only don’t worry, visually define an office space by creating a work zone. You can use curtains, sliding screens or a room divider to separate a larger work area off the main room. This even works for a tiny work space in a small room by for example putting it on a different coloured / textured flooring such as a rug or paint an office nook in a different colour than the rest of the room is.
Don’t put your office in your bed room - separate work and sleep. This will ensure your body can “turn off” when it’s time to rest and be fresh and alert for work.
3 - COMMANDING POSITION
Now it’s time to position your furniture. Always start with your desk and chair and arrange the other items around it. One of the main principles of Feng Shui, the art of arranging buildings, objects, space and life to achieve harmony and balance, is the commanding position. The commanding position puts you in charge of your life and career. To achieve this, your sitting position should face the door, and be as far away from the door as possible, so you can see most of the room.
Have a solid wall behind you or at least have a solid, high backed chair. Also, try not to position your desk under ceiling beams, fans, or near protruding wall edges. These are indications of "sha" energy or life-draining chi.
4 - BRING LIGHT AND AIR IN
Position your seat in commanding position also to have a pleasant view, ideally out of a window on your garden. If there is nothing inspiring to look at in front of that window, create a view : plant some foliage to look at or pop a beautiful pot plant out there. In case you can’t sit in a position looking out of a window make sure you have something else positive to look at for example a piece of art.
Make sure you have good supply of natural light and air circulation. When the weather is good, open up the windows, whenever you can and if you can't, use an air purifier. According to recent studies, allowing natural light to penetrate into the office has been shown to increase productivity.
5 - ENERGIZE YOUR OFFICE SET UP
Only have items on your desk that you use every day and un-clutter desk and office. Position everything so you can reach easily. Keep your spaces uncluttered and hide all wires and cords. Limiting visual clutter may bolster your productivity.
Add real plants to enhance your office energy by naturally cleaning the air, reducing stress, and improving communication. Bamboo, Boston ferns, English ivy, and rubber trees are great go-to options.
Hang up some inspirations. This will lift your mood and ignite your work spirit, such as mottos affirmations or your vision board and photos of family members and mentors.
Infuse your work space with some personal touches to support personal growth.
6 - FUNCTIONALITY AND STORAGE
Office spaces where tasks like writing, mathematics and scientific work are done will benefit from strong backdrops of colour such as shades of blue, green or beige. To kick the energy in your creative room up a notch implement touches of warm colours, like red, yellow and orange.
Do you need to have hard copies? If so, file cabinets and closets tend to offer great storage space. Perhaps a low-sitting bookcase is best or simple shelving along the wall.
7 - MINIMISE STRESS
Have your favourite yoga tunes in the background, a table fountain or aromatherapy.
Choosing furniture and accessories that transport values of success, abundance and prosperity.
Soften sharp edges with fabric, plants or placing crystals and position sharp corners out of traffic flow.
Last but not least : check in with the function diagram you drew before you started setting up your office. Did all items fit in ? Is the work flow practicable ? Re-arrange the items that require to relocate.
That’s it ! So simple ! Enjoy your work space for many efficient work sessions to come.
Warm wishes to you all - Annette
