The last book I read, Damn Good Advice by advertising genius George Lois, offered some 'damn' good advice on being fearless and unleashing your creativity to make your work more enjoyable, and yourself more productive. One of his tips was to transform your surroundings into a 'metaphor for who you are'. Next to an almost black and white photo of his simple, plain, and minimalistic workspace, he said: “I’ve always invested so much effort in my immediate surroundings because the objects and surfaces and forms that surround me must feel aesthetically right to me. Your working surroundings should not be a presentation to your clients.”
Unlike Lois, you may not get to rework your workspace from scratch—starting with the colour of the walls to shape of the drawers. However, you could always throw in colours, include interesting elements, and add some of your personality to your workspace to make it comfortable and to create a positive work environment. Studies have revealed that personalising your workspace could be an efficient way to bring focus and boost productivity.
Although the idea of personalisation would vary from person to person, here are some tips to get you going.
Picture perfect
Photographs are much more than mere reminders of a moment passed by. They are a source of comfort, to feel close to someone who may not be physically around, a reminder of what or who makes you happy, and your life outside work. Looking at a beautiful photograph of someone you love—family, friends or even pets—could be a great source of relief even on a hassled day at work. After all, ain't a picture worth a thousand words?
A touch of nature
Having a bit of greenery at your workspace could help you be calm and relaxed to a great length. Especially if you have a job that does not demand you to be outdoors at any point of time and pins you down to a cold, lifeless desk. If you are one of those who enjoys watching swaying trees from your window, or closely follows the sound of the rain on the rooftop, then adding your own touch of nature—a small indoor plant or a vase full of fresh flowers—could do wonders in soothing your nerves and keeping you happy.
A controlled-riot of colours
To create the magic with colours, you could use colourful desk accessories, interesting stationery, comfy cushions and more | Sneha Pillai
A therapy in itself, colours are well known for their mood-lifting properties. Your dull surroundings could be hampering your productivity without you knowing it. A dash of blue here and a hint of pink there could be all that you need to keep you peppy through the day. Spruce up your surroundings with your favourite colours—a well-balanced mix of warm and cool colours. Warm colours such as red, orange and yellow create an environment of stimulation and high energy, while cool colours such as blue and green can you a calming and peaceful environment. To create the magic with colours, you could use colourful desk accessories, interesting stationery, comfy cushions and more.
Find inspiration in words
Words are a very powerful tool. Choose words that motivate you to walk the uncommon path, encourage you to face challenges and overcome them, inspire you to think out of the box, help you to express yourself and connect with others, and can do more, much more! Shortlist your favourite inspiring quotes and messages—it could be the lyrics of your favourite song, a few stanzas of a poem you read last summer, a dialogue from a film that moved you to the core, or even a piece of advice from your dad or mom. Take a print of it and put it where you can see it. Let it lead you on days when nothing else works.
Magic in the air
Smelly surroundings could be a major roadblock in your way to success, especially if you are sensitive to sudden smells. One easy way is to get your own air freshener to your workspace, so that no unwanted smell puts you off the radar while working. As an attractive alternative, you could place a scented candle or a little basket of potpourri on your desk. For stronger aroma, opt for perfumed oils or perfume sachets that keep dispersing fragrance through the day. If you work in an open office area, be careful to not distract others with your personalised aroma diffuser.
