5 Design Elements of a Productive Workspace

Have you ever wandered over to a co-worker’s desk and wondered how they could possibly get anything done? Papers are stacked everywhere, there’s a banana peel on the corner of the desk that looks like it’s been there for days, and their office chair squeaks annoyingly.

Of course, the company likely provides the work space but that doesn’t mean we can’t make adjustments in order to be more effective and productive in our job.

Consider how you can improve the following elements in your workspace to improve your work experience.

Privacy. Though you might be in a small cubicle surrounded by co-workers there are still some steps you can take to afford you more privacy. Add sound-absorbing materials like foam or a fabric to your cubicle walls or add some book shelves to decrease sound. You might also use noise cancelling headphones while working or play some soft music.

   

Organized. It’s difficult to be productive when you can’t find what you’re looking for. Keep your desk in order and develop an effective filing system for your print (and electronic) documents.

Light. Office spaces often have insufficient lighting which can cause eye strain and headaches. Look into adding some personal lighting by adding a desk lamp or attachable light to your computer. If you have windows, open them up.

View. Speaking of windows, a view of nature and the outdoors has been shown to support health and increase productivity, so sit near the windows, draw the blinds, and enjoy the view. If you don’t have a beautiful view bring in photos of some of your favorite nature shots and add a plant or two to your desk. The plant will also aid in air quality, keeping you healthier.

Comfortable seating. If you’re not comfortable in your space it will be difficult to get focused and accomplish the work required of you. Be sure to have a chair that works for you, while also ensuring that your desk is at an appropriate height. If you move to a new work area makes the changes necessary to be comfortable. Developing leg or back pain is a sure way to decrease productivity and enjoyment of your work.

Take advantage of the areas you control to ensure that you design a work space that allows you to work comfortably, productively, and enthusiastically.

4 Ways to Practice Self-Care in the Workplace

Let's face it. Our work lives can be quite stressful and take a toll on us, both emotionally and physically. It can be easy to get wrapped up in the urgency of it all and then fail to recognize what we're experiencing.

When our work situation takes us to the breaking point it is likely to impact our personal and home life, too, and so it's important to develop a practice of self-care in the office.

Consider the following four elements of a self-care plan and adjust them, as necessary, to your work situation.

Surround yourself with support. Unless you're the boss, you can't pick your team but you can choose the colleagues you grab lunch with, or meet up for a coffee break with, or hang out with after work. Build a supportive and encouraging group of colleagues around you to be a source of strength when things are tough and stressful at work. These colleagues can share an encouraging word around the coffee machine or crack the right joke to put things in perspective. Seek out positive people and you'll feel less stressed.

Create a healthy and encouraging work space. Put up some inspiring and motivational quotes t around your desk or on your computer. Always be surrounded by the encouraging wisdom of others you admire and respect. In addition, keep your work space organized and clean. Consider adding a plant to help clean the air and provide a little color. And put up some art by your favorite artist.

Take time to move. Schedule regular time in your day to get away from your desk or work area and take a walk. Adding some physical activity to your day can help refresh and re-energize you, and a comfortable walk allows you get away alone and come up with a new, creative approach to a problem you might be dealing with.

Recognize your successes and victories. Each day and every week brings some successes with it. Be sure to slow down enough to recognize those victories and acknowledge them. Write them down and allow yourself to enjoy even the small successes.

Applying these four practices to your regular work routine can help prevent the stressful times from overwhelming you and negatively impacting your satisfaction on the job and your enjoyment at home.

How to Get More Out of Your Work Environment

If you work in an office or a cubicle it can often feel like there is little you can do to enhance your work environment to support your productivity and enjoyment.

There are, however, several small steps that you can take to spruce up your work area to make it more effective for you. Try implementing a few of the following ideas and you might find yourself looking forward to coming in next Monday.

1. Add color to your work area. Many of us work in offices with white or off-white walls, or with dull colors that make one think of sleep. Color can energize and bring joy so find some opportunities to add color to your work station by putting up photos or posters with lots of color. Nature photographs work well and can help relax you during a particularly stressful day. You might also tape up swaths of wall paper or colorful wrapping paper to add a burst of color to your space.

2. Bring in the outdoors. A plant can do wonders to improve your mood while also improving the air quality in your work area. It can also, as mentioned above, contribute to stress relief. Add some flowers to the mix for some color and you might just find yourself working with a smile on your face.

3. Reduce and de-clutter. Some of us have too many things on our desks—papers, clips, rubber bands, folders, post-it notes—and by removing some of this clutter and being better organized we can be more productive, reduce distractions, and increase our satisfaction while at work.

4. Clean your work area. If your company doesn’t hire a cleaning staff to come in and wipe down your desk and clean your work area be sure to do this regularly. Schedule some time each week to wipe down your desk and filing cabinets. Eliminating dust build-up will keep you feeling healthy and energized.

5. Light it up. Many offices are poorly lit contributing to eye strain, headaches, and a depressed mood. Consider bringing in your own small lamp or light fixture to brighten up your work station.

6. Get motivated. A final suggestion is to post a motivational quote or two somewhere you’ll see it throughout your day. You might even supplement it with a photo of something or someone who motivates you—maybe a vacation spot you’re saving for, or your spouse and children. Find something that energizes and encourages you to do your job well.

5 Steps to Stay Healthy at Work

For many people the work hours are sedentary. We sit at a computer all day or have one or two tasks that we accomplish at a work station. It can be easy to find ourselves gaining weight and feeling lethargic at work.

If this describes you (and even if it doesn't) then consider the following five ways to stays healthy and fit while at work.

1. Move. Make an effort to get up and walk around every hour or so. You don't have to walk for long; simply getting up and moving for 3-5 minutes will help. If you can get outside all the better. Breathing in fresh air and being out in nature helps us relax and has other therapeutic benefits. If your job does not allow you to get up every hour then make sure you move when you get an opportunity, such as your lunch break. Movement is critically important to our health.

2. Eat healthy snacks. Many workplaces have vending machines offering snacks but many of these are unhealthy and filled with sugar. You can avoid the temptation to grab a candy bar by bring in some healthy snacks to munch on throughout the day. Consider bringing in some nuts, carrots, banana or apple. You'll feel better and have more energy when you snack well.

3. Bring in a plant. In many work places the windows don't open and you're stuck breathing in stale (and sometimes unhealthy) air. Bring in a plant or two for you work area. The plant will clean the air around you and, as mentioned above, having a bit of nature nearby can enhance your mood.

4. Exercise and stretch at work. Just because your at work doesn't mean you can't get some exercise and stretching in. Take a few minutes to stand on your toes and reach up for a good stretch. Or do some arm circles. You can even bring in a rubber ball or grippers to squeeze to strengthen your wrists and forearms. There are many other simple exercises you can try with a little creativity.

5. Don't neglect your mental health. As we've discussed above, taking a walk and being among nature has emotional and mental impacts, too. Be sure to consider your emotional and mental well-bing while at work. Bring in a poster with a motivational quote you appreciate, or write a personal mantra on a 3 x 5 note card and post it somewhere you can see it regularly throughout the day.

Implementing these five simple steps will go a long way to help you feel healthier and more energetic at work.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: How to Answer "What Did Your Last Job Pay?"

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• How to Answer "What Did Your Last Job Pay?": "You don't have to give up your past or current salary information to anyone during your job search, but in order to keep those details to yourself you'll need to be prepared."

• 3 Necessary Follow-Ups to Get the Job: "Here are some key things you need to do to keep your job search up to date and moving forward."

• 25 Best Habits to Have in Life: "The early morning hours are a time for peaceful reflection and ample productivity, where the world is still and asleep, allowing you to focus wholeheartedly on your long-term goals."

• The Stage in the Hiring Process When Job Seekers Have the Most Leverage: "Regardless, there’s generally a sense of urgency somewhere in the organization for the position to be filled. Someone is in pain because you’re not there yet."
• 10 Reasons Why Every Office Needs Plants and Flowers: "Although it is not the first thing that most people think of when looking for ways to improve efficiency and the quality of their work, plants can actually help to improve productivity levels."