No matter what your job is, productivity is key to being successful. And our surroundings have a huge impact on how productive we are, which is why it’s so important to have the right workspace. So to help you feel the most productive and motivated as possible, here are a few simple tips to design your workspace.
Make Yourself Comfortable
Whether you work from home, have your own office at the company building, or work in a cubicle, you need to make sure your workspace is comfortable. If your chair is too stiff or you’re always cold, you’re going to focus on your discomfort, which will get in the way of your productivity.
This is why it’s so important to ensure your workspace is physically comfortable. You should have a chair that isn’t too stiff and gives you optimal back support, your desk should be at a comfortable height, and the temperature should be ideal. If you can’t control the temperature in the area, consider bringing in a fan or space heater.
You could even invest in a standing desk or other elements to help you move about your workspace as needed. With the average U.S. household having 300,000 things in it, many of the items in your workspace should be things that help improve your comfort level. All in all, making sure you’re comfortable will help you better focus on your work.
Utilize Natural Lighting
Lighting plays a big role in levels of productivity and motivation. This is why it’s so important to get as much natural lighting in your workspace as possible — natural lighting can improve energy levels, help reduce eyestrain and headaches, and can help people feel better overall. If you work from home, you should set up your workspace near a window and let the light flow in.
On cloudy days or when working at night, you should use plenty of lamps with natural light bulbs. You should even consider the type of materials used in your workspace. Something like a woven material with a 50% open area can improve airflow and maximize visibility, letting light flow through. And if you work in an office environment with no windows nearby, you should invest in natural light bulbs for your desk lamps and consider a light therapy device.
Keep it Minimal
It’s common for people to want to put a lot of stuff on their desk and in their workplace. From photos to lamps to snacks, the amount of stuff on a desk can quickly add up. Unfortunately, all of this clutter can lead to unproductivity.
Whether it’s struggling to find paperwork in an unorganized pile or being distracted by various objects, too much clutter is not good. So it’s important to keep your work area clean. Put documents and paperwork away in an organized manner, get rid of clutter, and have an overall clear workspace.
But there are some items that can sit on your desk and be beneficial — plants can help reduce stress, anxiety, and other negative feelings that may impact productivity by around 30% to 60%. So maybe keep a plant, a few small pictures, and a nice bright lamp, but everything else should go.
If you’ve been in a productivity slump, making these changes could help. These super simple tips will help you feel most productive while working.