Whether you have a large, private space or a shared section of a room for a home office or workspace, it’s important to acknowledge how your surroundings impact your productivity. Even the smallest design changes can help you focus and foster creativity. This week, episode 243 of the Positively Living^Ⓡ Podcast is about how your home office can make you more productive!

In this episode of the Positively Living^Ⓡ Podcast, I share the importance of tailoring your environment to suit you and your needs and give you practical tips to create a workspace that boosts your productivity and inspires creativity.

Key Takeaways:

How our environment both affects and reflects our mental space and what we can do about it.
The way decluttering and organizing go hand in hand, but are two different things.
Eight things to consider when making your home office a more productive space.

Decluttering Your Home Office

The first step to creating a productive home office is decluttering the space. Clutter can be a major distraction, making it difficult to focus on your work. When decluttering your home office, be sure to sort through papers, review the contents of random boxes, and consider what is stored in the space. Once you have cleared out what you can, you can move on to designing and organizing your space.

Eight Tips for Designing a Productive Home Office

Here are eight tips for designing a productive home office:

Ergonomics

Invest in an ergonomic chair and keyboard to maintain good posture and reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.

Lighting

Consider how your space is lit and what lighting does for your focus and mood.

Natural Light: Maximize natural light exposure, as it has been linked to improved mood, energy levels, and productivity.
Task Lighting: Use adjustable task lighting to reduce eye strain and ensure adequate illumination for your work.
Ambient Lighting: Incorporate soft ambient lighting to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

Workspace Set Up

Choose a desk that provides ample space for your work materials and allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your computer screen. Choose a space that can function while you work and is conducive to clearing as you go so you can avoid a cluttered desk.

Organization/Accessibility

Organize your workspace in a way that works with your flow. Think of the immediate space around you as prime real estate. You want frequently used items where you can reach them quickly. This minimizes unnecessary movement and saves time both in accessing and putting away items.

Color Psychology

Select colors that evoke the desired mood and energy level for your work. For example, blue hues are often associated with calmness and focus, while yellow can stimulate creativity.

Personal + Inspirational Decor

Incorporate personal items, such as photos or artwork, that inspire and motivate you. Consider, also, decorating your space with things like inspirational signs and vision boards that display your goals and aspirations.

Plants and Nature Views

If you can, introduce plants into your office space to improve air quality and add a touch of nature. And if possible, position your workspace to have a view of nature or find a way to see it out during breaks.

Habits

It’s not just about how the space looks and functions but how you maintain it.

Breaks and Movement: Take regular breaks to give your eyes a rest and to stand up, stretch, and move around. Consider incorporating mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, into your breaks.
Reset Routine: Establish a daily or weekly routine to tidy up and reset your workspace. This will help to prevent clutter from accumulating and create a mindful transition from work to personal time.

The biggest takeaway from this episode is to create a space that feels comfortable and meets your individual work style and needs. You want to create a space that is conducive to your work, and the way to do that is to create a space that is a reflection of you.

Learn more about Positively Living^Ⓡ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Could you use some support? The Quickstart Coaching session is a way to get to know your productivity path, fast! A speed-round strategy session is perfect for a quick win and to see what coaching can do, the Quickstart will encourage and inspire you to take intentional, effective action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpquick for a special listener discount!

CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Resources Page.)

Ep 34: My Caregiving and Clutter Story

Ep 204: Why Bringing Nature Inside Will Help You Focus Better with Kasey Riley

Ep 2: Declutter Your Life with the SIMPLE™ System

Positively Living Podcast: Declutter Playlist

Dance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3