Feng shui (pronounced “fung shway”) is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging your personal space in a way that promotes positive energy. The idea is that the placement of objects in your personal space can affect your mood and motivation, foster creativity, and calm the flow of energy. Feng shui can also be applied to your workspace. You may not be able to change everything in your workspace to reflect feng shui guidelines, but try to follow as many as you can listed below:
- Remove clutter. Organize unfinished projects or tasks in a folder, drawer, or cabinet. Store extra office supplies like pens and post-its in a drawer. Only keep things that you use every day out on your desk to help you focus on the task in front of you.
- Stay organized. Organize things by date, color, label, or another way that works for you! You can even use this technique with your files, bookshelves, or food pantry at home. Do your best to put things back in their assigned place after each time you use them.
- Position yourself with purpose. Sit up tall in your chair with your feet flat on the ground. Maintain good posture to exude confidence and create a positive space for you and others. Throughout the day, take small breaks from sitting to reduce stress and maintain focus.
- Keep it personal. So often we can become overwhelmed at work. Keep things that make you happy on or near your work space. Add artwork and personal items. Display a picture of your loved ones or a picture of the beach. Make sure the images are uplifting. Bonus points for images that support your career path in some way. Adding a personal touch helps you feel like what you’re working on has purpose! Rotate your items from time to time to spice things up.
- Simple is best. If you have nothing to put in a certain part of your desk, keep the space clear. Less clutter will help you concentrate and keep a clear mind.