How do you make your workspace happier, smarter and more productive? Do you ever feel like your workspace doesn’t encourage productivity? Or do you find it hard to stay organized? Do you ever get distracted easily by emails, phone calls and other things that keep popping up? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone. A lot of people find it hard to stay organized when they are working.
We all know that our workspace has a big impact on our productivity, right? The right set-up—with enough light, space, privacy and organization—can really boost our mood and make us more productive. We spend a third of our day at work, so it only makes sense that our workspace should feel like home.
But more than just being aesthetically pleasing, a happy, smart and productive workspace can help us concentrate better, be more creative and come up with better ideas. If you feel like you’re always running around, never feeling like you have time to yourself or constantly feeling stressed out, it may be time to change your workspace.
Think of your workspace as your home—you wouldn’t live in a hovel, would you? Your workspace is your home away from home. It’s where you spend most of your time, so it’s important that it feels comfortable and inspires you to be your very best. You also want it to be a source of happiness, not stress.
A smart workspace is one that makes you happy, not one that makes you stressed out and anxious. A productive workspace is one that helps you get more done, not one that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and behind.
When you work, you spend a third of your day at your desk. So it’s super important that your workspace not only serves as a place for getting your work done, but also a place that you can enjoy being. When you spend all day at your desk, your workspace should feel like home. It should be a sanctuary where you can relax, be creative, and get your work done.
Whether you are an employee or a freelancer, having a pleasant workspace is essential for being productive and happy at your job. While some people may love their jobs, most of us would like to be happier at our 9 to 5 jobs.
If you work on your own and spend most of your time at home, it can be hard to make yourself work. You probably spend a lot of time in your home office, meaning you have to get things done there. But, that also means that your workspace is essentially your home as well. You can make your home office as productive and happy as possible by making some simple changes.
Establish a work routine
Before we get started on creating a happier, smarter and more productive workspace, we need to establish a work routine. A work routine is any activity that you do on a consistent basis that helps you be more productive and creative. A work routine can be as simple as sitting down with a pen and paper every day and planning out your day.
Or, it can be as complicated as organizing your tasks into meaningful lists and sub-lists, along with the dates and deadlines associated with each. The key is to find something that helps you get your headspace and stay focused. It also helps you stay organized, especially as your workload and responsibilities grow.
Create a space you will enjoy being in
To make your workspace feel like home, you need to create an environment that you will enjoy being in. A space unique to you. This means that you should make the most of every surface, minimize clutter, and choose lighting that is soothing rather than stimulating. If you are distracted by noise, introduce work or productive music to help you do more focus work.
Make the most of every surface
When you’re looking to make your workspace feel more like home, you need to make the most of every surface. This means that you need to put away your clutter, maximize the use of every wall and corner, and choose lighting that is simple and soothing rather than stimulating.
The more surface space you have in your workspace, the more calming and less stressful work will be. Less clutter means you can concentrate on work. So instead of files and documents on your workspace or desk, store or file things away, in a drawer.
Set workspace boundaries
One of the best ways to make your workspace happier, smarter and more productive is to set workspace boundaries. Boundaries are what separate our personal space from our work space, and they are meant to be set for a reason. It is important to have a specific space for work, and a separate space for play. This helps to keep your work space from spilling over into your home life and personal space, helping to keep you focused at work and out of the third place.
There are many ways to set boundaries at home, such as designing a separate room for your work or buying a desk that is specifically supposed to be for work. It is also important to clearly set expectations with your colleagues and friends about where you will be during certain hours of the day. If you tend to overbook yourself and let others’ schedules slip, it may be a good idea to set some boundaries.
Make your workspace personal
A happy workplace is one that feels like home. This is why you want to make your workspace personal, by adding in elements that inspire you and help you to feel good. Personalizing your workspace can help boost your mood, make you feel less overwhelmed, and increase your productivity by inspiring you to get creative.
Natural light is a big part of this, as well as plants, artwork and accessories that reflect your personal style. Natural light can help boost your mood and concentration, as well as decrease your levels of stress.
Plants can do more than just look pretty. In fact, certain types of plants have been proven to have a variety of health benefits, such as improving your mood and lowering your stress levels.
Organize your workspace ruthlessly
When it comes to creating a happier, smarter and more productive workspace, organization is key. There are many different ways to organize your workspace, and the key is to find what works best for you. One of the most effective ways to organize your workspace is to use color-coding.
Every item in your workspace should be color-coded, with each color representing a different type of task or project. This way, everything is easily accessible and you won’t ever have to scroll through hundreds of tabs or windows to find what you’re looking for.
Design a workplace that encourages remote work
Your workspace isn’t just for work. It’s also important that your workspace is conducive to having fun, as well as doing your best work. That’s why it’s essential that your workplace is a source of happiness, and not stress. You can accomplish this by adding in elements that make you smile or collaborate with others remotely. Find and use collaboration tools that can improve your productivity.
Remove distractions on your workspace
You’ve probably noticed that your workspace is cluttered and full of distractions. This is bad, and will only lead to stress and anxiety. To remedy this, clear out the clutter on your workspace by removing things that are not necessary. This may seem extreme, but trust me, it’s worth it. Not everything deserves your attention on your desk. Anything that is not need for your task at hand can be put away to improve concentration.
Clear out the clutter on your workspace
Your workspace should be free of clutter, and cleanliness is key. You may have heard that clutter and a messy desk are signs of anxiety, and this couldn’t be further from the truth. A messy desk is a sign of a cluttered mind. It is important to keep your workspace clean and free of unnecessary items, so that you are able to focus better.
Take time to exercise
Exercising may seem like a no-brainer, but so many of us forget to do it. The benefits of exercise are endless, and can help to make your workspace happier, smarter and more productive by decreasing stress levels, boosting your mood, Iincreasing your focus and attention span, cutting back on fatigue and boosting your self-esteem.
Avoid unproductive meetings
Meetings are fraught with stress, especially unproductive ones. This is because meetings are meant to facilitate communication and conversation among many people. However, when people are stressed out and anxious, they tend to talk a lot, but say very little. This makes meetings feel like a waste of time, which then leads to a overall feeling of stress. To avoid this, try to attend meetings when you are feeling your best, and don’t overbook your schedule.
Conclusion
Your workspace is an important part of your day, and it’s important that it feels happy, inspired and productive. You can make your workspace happier, smarter and more productive by clearing out the clutter, setting boundaries, making your workspace personal, and organizing your workspace ruthlessly.