Create Your Space

Dr. Greg Wells

There are several ways you can alter your physical environment to change the way you work. You might not be able to change the state of your building, but you can make small changes to workspaces or rooms that make a big difference. And you don’t have to spend a ton of money—you can work with what you have to create a space more conducive to improved focus and productivity.

Here are six easy ways to improve your workspace:

1) Standing or walking desks. These are great if you are working on a project that doesn’t require you to be isolated. Plus, employees can use them for phone calls or emails. You can also use bar stools at high tables. They are great for leaning on to have a conversation.

2) Change of scenery. When possible and appropriate, try to get away from the desk. Hold walking meetings to energize your mind and get some fresh air. Even just moving a meeting offsite to a local coffee shop can get the blood flowing in a way that sitting around never can.

3) Meditation rooms. Some progressive companies offer meditation rooms with comfortable chairs and background music. Employees can go in, close their eyes and take a break in a very quiet place that fosters mindfulness. If no such space exists, employees can create their own by putting on headphones, positioning their chairs so they are facing away from the door or finding a place in the building—maybe in a warehouse or meeting room—where they can go to disconnect.

4) Power fuel. Make sure the vending machines in your break spaces offer healthy food choices. The standard garbage you get in and around office buildings can literally make you sick. Provide people with options that will stimulate optimal performance. If possible, provide free healthy snacks to give employees incentive to make better food choices.

5) Natural light. Lighting can play an important role in a workspace. Natural light is far better for people than fluorescent lighting. Simply introducing plants into an office environment improves physical and mental health.

6) Create your home office. I encourage everyone to create a home office space that leverages the elements of ideal working environments. With more and more people working from home at least part of the time, it’s crucial to create an environment that inspires you to do amazing work. If you are a person who frequently works remotely, have a road warrior kit you take when you go on the road. Equip yourself with high-quality headphones and a journal or other meditation medium—anything you need to be fully focused on your tasks.

Your environment needs to support what you are trying to accomplish. For example, if you have to do collaborative work, get into a space where you can throw things up on the wall and be engaged with the people around you.

It’s all about engineering your environment and using the power of ergonomics to make sure you can get your very best work done in the easiest possible way.