Being able to work from out of your home can be a great way to add more flexibility and convenience to your professional life. However, while not being shackled to the confines of an office building does have a variety of benefits for many individuals, it isn’t always easy to keep yourself productive.
Productivity is often linked to the type of atmosphere you’re in. But this doesn’t mean that working offices are the only place individuals can stay productive. In fact, by incorporating various elements of Feng Shui into your personal workspace, you can achieve the same, if not more, productivity levels as in a traditional office.
Choosing the Right Location for Your Home Office
While many people have heard of the term “Feng Shui,” not many people fully understand its meaning or significance in certain cultures. Feng Shui is actually an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on balancing the energy of different spaces in buildings – including homes and offices.
The energy, or “chi,” that Feng Shui is focused around can have a significant impact on the overall feel of the space, and there are a variety of principles that surround how it should be managed. One of the core concepts of utilizing Feng Shui to maximize the flow of chi throughout a working space has to do with choosing the right location for the office.
When creating a home office, it’s important to look for a quieter part of the home that is free from distractions. You’ll also want to make sure the location you choose has adequate lighting (prioritizing natural lighting whenever possible).
One way to do this is by having a location near windows that can reduce the need for you to use harsh, artificial lighting which can cause eye strain and impact you from getting your work done.
Understanding and Leveraging the Command Position
Whether you work in a traditional office setting or have your own home office setup, a big part of staying productive has to do with the sense of comfort and security you feel during the day. In Feng Shui, these feelings are critical to helping you avoid distractions and allow your creativity to flow without being impeded.
To achieve this sense of security when working at home, Feng Shui principles outline the importance of placing your desk and office in the “command position.” The common position is part of enabling yourself to have a better sense of control or awareness of your surroundings and keeps you at ease during the day.
One way to achieve a command position is by facing your desk towards an open entryway going to your office. This way you’re able to see anyone who enters your working area and not be taken off guard. Another thing to avoid whenever possible is having a window directly to your back and it’s better to have your back to a solid wall.
Keep Your Workspace and Your Mind Organized
Not everyone keeps their workspace organized the same way – or even at all. However, the principles of Feng Shui are grounded in keeping both physical and mental states as clean and organized as possible. Even though some people may think they thrive in a state of “organized chaos,” in order to make sure chi is as balanced as possible, it’s important to place a high value on keeping a clean and tidy desk.
This principle is not too hard to understand since many times you see this methodology being applied in professional settings like couples therapy sessions or doctor’s offices. Not only does a clean workspace give off a certain amount of professionalism, but avoiding too much clutter can actually improve your mental state.
In your home office, look for ways you can keep things as tidy as possible. This might mean clearing your desk completely of things you either never use or only use once in a while. You might be surprised how many unessential things settle on your workspace over time, and there is a freeing feeling that comes with removing distractions and giving your deskspace more purpose.
Incorporate Natural Elements Whenever Possible
Nature and all of its elements are an important part of Feng Shui. The five key elements – water, earth, metal, wood, and fire – all have significant meanings and can be used to infuse various benefits into a working space.
The important thing to know is that each natural element has its own purpose and can be utilized differently to impact both the aesthetics and overall mood of an office setting. Wood, for example, representing a grounded energy closely associated with creativity, can be incorporated in a variety of different ways in an office – from the type of furniture to the different decorations on the walls.
While using fire might not seem practical in many offices, there are many ways this element can also be used to bring more warmth into a space. This could be done by choosing different artwork pieces that use bright, vivid colors or even making use of candles strategically placed in safe places.
Depending on the type of aesthetic or environment you’re trying to create, there are plenty of ways to incorporate natural elements into your office.
Choose Colors and Aesthetics That Improve Your Mood
The colors you choose for your home office can also impact your mood when working. There is actually a certain amount of psychology that can go into the color choices you make when designing an office space. The hues you select for your office, whether through paint or artwork, can have a significant impact on how well you stay productive when being applied in Feng Shui.
Cooler tones like blues, greens, and even muted neutrals are linked to a sense of tranquility and improved concentration. On the other hand, vibrant or bold colors can inadvertently stimulate anxiety and hinder focus if they are used too much. By thoughtfully curating your office’s color palette, you can significantly improve the space you’re working in and even add to a better sense of overall well-being.
Starting Incorporating Feng Shui Into Your Home Office
Being able to work in a home office can be very rewarding, but it can also be a source of distraction if you aren’t careful. By following the guidelines discussed when designing your home office workspace, you can ensure you’re getting more work done while bringing you more joy and satisfaction throughout the day.
