Peaceful Productivity
Your Workplace Set Up
Our world has gotten smaller as many of us have cancelled travel and “Sheltered in Place”. We have experienced the distance between us growing. I don’t think my personal space was ever 6 feet. As I think about this, I recognize that there are very small spots on the planet where most of our work is done, even during what was once our normal life.
Despite my once frequent flyer life, it is at my desk (be it at home or the office), that a large percentage of what I do happens. I’d like us to think about the space around us and how it can influence our productivity today. If you have been working at home, I’d like you to think about your workspace both there and at your office.
Take a look around you. How does your workspace make you feel? Do you have everything you need to complete what is on you must-do list today right at hand? Does the space around you give you the sense that things are under control or does it remind you of a million things still undone?
You can be more productive, confident, and at peace as you work through the demands of your workday by making a few adjustments to the environment around you. I may not be the Marie Kondo of the office world, but I like things around me to be organized and I think you do too. Let’s discover how we can enjoy our work more and let our space bring us to the focal point of productivity.
We live in an unbelievable time where all our files reside in a cloud that we can access from anywhere without sacrificing security. I try not to take that for granted. It gives us all the opportunity to be in a relatively small space and still have access to a huge file room. That is why those who needed to work from home with little notice or preparation have been able to make the move rather successfully.
In the coming weeks, I believe we will again emerge from the temporary space we occupy to the reimagined, six-feet-part-from-anyone space that will be the main spot where your work happens. Whether at home or in the office, it should work for you.
Here are some things to consider as you take stock of that space:
1. DESK SPACE
Begin and end the day with a clear desk, aside from a few decorative or functional items that belong there, any paper files or note pads should be cleared away and scanned or secured. When you have too many things out, it can distract you from focusing on the work at hand. If the desk space is comfortable and allows me to concentrate, it doesn’t matter whether it is at home or the office or wherever I am when traveling (when I get to travel again). For some people, this will be a several-hour project but, once it is done, it is done, and this daily process will allow you to maintain it.
Where your desk faces is something to be considered. When I’m looking at a computer screen, I’m fine facing a wall, but when it comes to having a conversation or working on flat space, I really like to have the desk face into the room and, ideally, have a window view so that it brings natural light and nature into view. If you don’t have a window, consider adding pictures or photos of nature or even a real-looking plant.
2. NOTEPAD AND WRITING INSTRUMENT
Even though I am fascinated with the digital world. I will admit that I am a paper-and-pen guy. When I am working on a project at my computer, I still like to have a notepad and pen to capture thoughts that come across my mind. I find that writing them down will relieve my subconscious mind from bringing them up again and again until I can get to whatever it is recycling through my brain. By having only one place those thoughts can go, I don’t have to wonder where they went. Before I finish the day, I put them where they belong. I will also admit, I like a good writing pen.
3. CALENDAR: YOUR COMMITMENTS FOR THE DAY
Make sure you have all your commitments for the day in front of you. When I am doing project work, I set the timer to give me 15 minutes before my next commitment to wrap up what I am doing and put it away. If I am unable to finish it, it gets added to my to-do list.
4. COMPUTER, KEYBOARD, AND MONITORS
I find multiple monitors helpful. I can reference material that I am using to make notes, email, or otherwise use to process what I am doing at that moment. I also think having a screen that is a comfortable size can make it easier to process what I am doing. The keyboard can be an issue. If you have big fingers, a small keyboard can impede your work.
5. CAMERA AND HEADSET
I think these have become more essential in the past few weeks. The virtual meeting option may be here to stay and that may not be a bad thing. Not every computer is equipped with a camera and speaker, so this may make things more productive for you. I am wondering if Skype will begin to replace phone calls at some point in the near future.
6. PRINTER/SCANNER
As we continue to process paper files into the digital world, the scanner has become even more useful than the printer on many occasions. And, in many cases, I see where taking a photo can be even more efficient than the scanner. Using the receipt app by taking a picture of business receipts is now built into QuickBooks. I remember when I first read about Neat Receipts in Delta’s onboard magazine and thought that was a great idea.
7. CHAIR
Standing up and sitting down at our desk is the 2 x 2 space we live in much of our workday. Think about how comfortable you are, your posture, and your orientation to your keyboard. I’d say, aside from your bed, you probably spend more hours on this piece of furniture than anywhere else.
8. MAKE IT LOOK NICE
Cate is in charge of this in my world. You may be able to add these touches yourself or, hopefully, you know someone who has the eye and sense of style to add just the right touch from color to practical objects placed attractively. The goal for me is to stay professional and uncluttered without being boring.
Safe and sanitary space between team members rules the day as we begin moving back to our office buildings. We even need to think about tissues, hand sanitizer, and more comprehensive, regular cleaning of our office. We want to stay healthy and be able to think deeply about the work we are doing, so let your space inspire you.
I hope you will be able to make small changes that will move you to find yourself working in the zone. If it is easy to find everything you need and you are comfortable at your station, you can find your way to increasing the quality and quantity of what you can do for others with less effort and more joy.
Consider sharing your workspace ideas with me. It would be fun to get photos of where you are working now. Feel free to email me your thoughts, comments, and photos.
About the Author
Bernie DeLaRosa, CFP®, ChFC®, CRPC®, CLU®, APMA®, CASL®, BFA™
Managing Business Consultant
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