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.

Go on a Privacy Offensive, Not Defensive

This past week Forbes published an interesting article about how the retailer Target figured out a teenage customer was pregnant before her parents knew. Target, it turns out, gives each customer a unique identification number and-using credit card information and login data from online purchases-tracks what we buy, using this information to tailor its marketing efforts. Those coupons you got from Target in the mail last week? More than likely, they are 100% different from the ones sent to me.

Privacy, of course, is dead and has been for a long time. Background checks are so ubiquitous that anyone with a credit card and computer can perform one...on any one of us. And career experts have guided candidates to lock up their social media accounts for fear of having its contents reflect negatively upon them.

For years we have been on the privacy defensive...I propose a privacy offensive.

Online presence: Instead of locking up your social media, use it strategically to reinforce your personal brand. Create profiles on not just the ubiquitous sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter) but also some of the up-and-coming ones like Google + and Pinterest to profile the unique, professional you.

Personality profiles: Personality profiles like the MBTI, DiSC, Insights, and StrengthsFinder can be used to show employers unique talents and qualities you possess that will benefit their organizations. Highlight the information provided on these assessments to give objectivity to your personal marketing, and strengthen them with concrete examples of how you exemplify those qualities.

References: Don't just contact your references and prepare them for a potential phone call from a prospective employer. Ask your references to cite specific examples of your leadership, work skills, and/or knowledge that apply directly to the position for which you are applying. This will empower them to demonstrate how you can help that employer specifically, and they won't have to search, themselves, for answers that are the best fit.

Don't be held back by the Information Age. Use it to proactively empower you and your career.