What we do matters.
How we do what we do matters.
And where we do what we do matters, too.
Just this past week two friends of mine brought this point to light once again.
- Leslie had been working in her basement for years. And though it was clearly convenient and cost effective, it also grew to be confining both physically and emotionally. She wanted to grow her business and intuitively knew that meant breaking free from her basement – despite her understandable trepidation. Leslie is now in a new, 3rd floor, light-filled office just one block from home with ample space for her and a colleague and a sure-to-be growing client roster.
- Meghan had been working in a school library for six years when she got a promotion that included her own office. Even though the school had no budget for upgrades, Meghan was wise enough to spend some of her own time and money giving her new office a fresh coat of paint and hanging some nature-themed art on the walls. She says that not only does she look forward to being in her freshened office, but her students and colleagues find it welcoming as well.
And in my work life too, I’ve always viewed my space as an extension of my professional intentions. In fact, I feel so strongly about this that I once surprised myself with my assertiveness. On the first day of a new job as a director at a pharma company, my manger showed me to my office. She was excited to have found an extra-large office for me – one that had room for a desk and a small round table for meetings. But it was also windowless. And for me, a windowless office is a soulless office. I didn’t want to make waves but I also couldn’t imagine myself thriving in a dark interior space.
So the next day I asked my manager if there was any way I could move to the smaller office down the hall that had a window. Even though it was considered “lesser status” because of its size – it was golden to me because of the window. (Even if you don’t have or can’t negotiate a window, research tells us that even looking at photos of nature can decrease blood pressure and lessen anxiety.)
The bottom line is this: The spaces we inhabit either inhibit or enable us to manifest our gifts.
So, dear reader, how about you? Does your work space reflect your best needs and intentions? If not, consider these questions:
- How do you want to feel and function in your workspace?
- What in your workspace currently supports how you want to feel and function?
- What could you add or take away to enhance the feel and function of your workspace?
Until next time, take care of your special self,
Cheryl
Cheryl, I so agree! I used to work in grey cubicles with no privacy from my co-workers. I did what I could to brighten things up with plants and pictures. Today, I’m so blessed to work from home and my home office is my favorite room in the house! But I have a huge window with an ugly view, so I added sheers so that I still get the light but not the view. And having my dog at my feet makes any room feel cozier!
Hi Amy! Thank you for your comment. Do we work in the same office? I have a light filled room as well but some of the windows look directly into my neighbor’s home. Good incentive not to dance to my music when i need a break! And yes – my dog and cat make the space quite cozy as well. Blessed indeed.
It’s a good thing I’m retired. My office spacecis a disaster. I keep trying to make progress cleaning it out, but I also’inherit’ messes to deal with. Maybevit’s time I remembered that word ‘no’. But I like the projects…
Hi Margaret. Even though you might want to say ‘no’ every now and then, it sounds like you actually have “happy messes” to deal with which can be quite fun. Enjoy the moments.
As I am in the midst of a major ‘clearing out’ in my home office, I am evaluating the need for my big desk. I rarely sit at it and it takes up precious space in my smallish office. I’m considering selling it on craigslist and using the money to buy a more functional piece like a standing desk. I agree wholeheartedly Cheryl that our outer space makes such a difference for our work!
Hi Lisa! I don’t know if it’s a function or age or practicality – but at this point in my life I get as much, if not more, satisfaction from getting rid of stuff as I do from acquiring new stuff. A standing desk sounds quite cool and intriguing. I can picture you there already. Enjoy!
I am committing a portion of labor day to handle a quarter of my chaotic office space! I had bought these cool, modern, corregated filing boxes but now realize my office looks like it is moving! if that’s not a chaotic time in people’s lives I don’t know what is! Getting a new plan
LOL, Lori! Hope you also take some time on Labor day for non-laborious activities, too. Thanks for sharing.