Three Things You Can Change About Your Workspace To Be More Productive
Did you know that most people spend more time thinking (and reading) about being productive than they do actually making themselves more productive? It’s true. Everybody thinks they’ve got some great lifehack for productivity, some surefire way to make everybody work harder, better, and faster.
Here’s the trouble with that, though – everybody works a little differently. What that means is pretty simple. There is no silver bullet where productivity’s concerned.
The tactics that work for you might not work for other people. The best I can offer is that there are certain common elements – that most people work best in certain conditions. With that disclaimer out of the way, I’d like to offer some advice: you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to make yourself more productive.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as tweaking a few things about your workplace.
Kill The Clutter
Much has already been written about the impact that clutter has on the human mind. Even when we can’t directly see it, we’re still aware that it exists. And that awareness kills us.
“Clutter competes for your attention in the same way a toddler might stand next to you whining about wanting candy,” reads a blog post on Unclutterer. “Even though you might be able to focus a little. You’re still aware that a screaming toddler is also vying for your attention. The annoyance wears down your mental resources, and you’re likelier to become frustrated.”
Your first step, then, is to make sure your office is spic and span:
- Spend ten minutes or so at the beginning and the end of the day making sure everything’s properly filed, neatly stacked, and well-organized.
- If you work from home, I’d advise both cleaning things as you go – if something would take less than two minutes to clean up, don’t put it off – and spending an hour or two once a week deep-cleaning everything in your house or apartment. Or hire a professional cleaning service if you simply cannot find the time.
Lighten Up
Which sounds more attractive? Working in a dark, gloomy office where the only light is the radioactive glow of your computer screen, or working in an office lit by both natural and artificial sunlight? Most people would say the latter – and as with clutter, there is scientific evidence to suggest that lighting has a marked impact on our mood (and by association, our productivity).
Dim lighting can cause eyestrain and headaches, drowsiness, and lack of focus. If at all possible, find a way to brighten your office with natural light. If that is not an option, consider bringing a light therapy lamp to work with you.
Get Some Scents
Think about the best date you’ve ever been on. What stands out most about the person? Maybe they had a great smile, an amazing sense of humor, or an impeccable sense of style. Or maybe they smelled incredible.
Just like with lighting and clutter, what our office smells like impacts how we work. Figure out what scents energize you and help you focus, and put in the effort to bring those smells to your office. Mind you, if you’re working in an office space with other people, you might want to keep it to essential oils or a small candle on your desk.
It’s The Little Things That Count
See? Like I said, you don’t need to invent the wheel to become more productive. Sometimes, it’s as simple as introducing the right sight or smell.
Got any tips and tricks to add? Give a shout in the comments below!