Having a work environment conducive to productivity is essential to getting the most out of your work day. Despite what you may think, what you choose to fill your office with impacts your drive and can make or break your motivation throughout the day.
Too often we settle for hand-me-down equipment and out-of-date furniture that does little more than make us miserable while we work. If this is the case, you might as well be locking yourself in a dungeon for forty hours each week. Working this way is far from healthy, and it certainly isn’t the way to set yourself up for an enjoyable, fulfilling, and successful work day.
Your workspace should feel like a sanctuary. You need to enjoy coming in to work each morning, so your comfort is a priority when setting your office up for success. Consider this article permission to toss out the ’90s chair, ditch your monitor from the start of the millennium, and start fresh today.
The first thing to do when setting your office up for success is to determine what your work style is. Some people thrive in the serenity of a quiet, Zen atmosphere. Others are most productive in a buzzing, brightly coloured room with music blaring through their headphones. Perform a quick assessment of yourself, your habits, what motivates you, and what drives your focus. Your office atmosphere should be a direct reflection of these things.
If you are easily distracted, put some additional measures in place to prec.serve your privacy. At home, this is as simple as situating your workspace in a private corner of the house. In a bustling office, try putting a divider between your office and those of your colleagues.
Next, consider the functions that you need to perform on a daily basis in your role. If your job centers around answering the phone, make your day flow more smoothly by investing in a headset. If you spend a lot of time brainstorming ideas, put up a whiteboard or keep a tablet with drawing software nearby. It’s important to have the right tools for the job. Making do with what you have may feel easier from a short-term perspective, but every second spent inefficiently sacrifices productivity in the long term.
From an ergonomic perspective, it’s important to have office equipment of good quality that is adjustable to your height and body measurements.
Both your desk and chair need to be optimized for maximum comfort. Consider investing in a high-back chair that supports both your lower back and your shoulders. You might also try using a balance ball from time to time to improve your posture and flexibility (both of these have been shown to have a positive effect on productivity through reduced pain and increased energy).
Your keyboard and monitor should be adjusted appropriately to accommodate good posture while in use. Consider purchasing a cushioned mouse pad to help support your arms and elbows. You should also position your monitor to minimize glare.
Don’t forget to personalize your office. Maybe this means buying Post-It notes in fun shapes and colors. Maybe it’s transforming a wall into a photo collage of your favorite places. Whatever this looks like for you, be sure to make it your own. A word of warning, however: accumulating too many “personal” items on your desk can make it cluttered, so try to personalize in a way that doesn’t take over your physical working space.
Plants and artwork are two great ways to make your office a place where you want to be. In addition to being visually appealing, plants help to reduce stress and clean the air around you. If you’re not the type of person who can commit to long-term plant care, brighten up your office with a few fresh-cut flowers every once in a while. A fun piece of art is a source of joy and an excellent focal point for you to use when giving your eyes a break from the screen.
Natural light is another important component of a productive office setting. Wherever possible, make sure you have access to a window or other natural light source. If this isn’t an option, consider installing light bulbs that mimic sunlight and help your body produce vitamin D.
Finally, offices set up for success are clean and organized. Keeping a tidy workspace is key to functioning at your most productive, makes the space more enjoyable to be in, and sends a clear message to yourself and others that you take pride in what you do.
If you’re ready to start setting up your office for success, BoxAV can help you get there. Our Executive Office In A Box comes with a variety of adjustable desks, the latest in monitor technology, headsets, speakers, tablets, and more. Browse our catalog or contact our team at support@boxav.co to decide which workspace solution is the best fit for your new and improved space.