If you’re not getting through all the work you’re setting yourself, it may have nothing to do with your workload at all (or even all that Netflix you’ve been watching). Studies have found that people are more productive when their workspaces have been assembled with their working needs in mind.
While your desk may have enough space to fit your laptop, you could be doing yourself a disservice by not creating an accommodating environment to work in. Give your workspace a fresh feel with these three easy updates and ensure you’re reaching your full working potential.
1. Get organised
Begin by making your workspace a priority. You might feel too busy to spend time ‘prettyfying’ your workspace, but studies have shown that a messy workspace can negatively impact on your productivity.
“There is an overwhelming amount of research to suggest that a decluttered space is essential to workflow,” says
Positive Psychologist Dr Suzy Green, founder of The Positivity Institute. “The number of visual stimuli and objects in our environment compete for our attention, increasing the need to scan for what we need which can lead to feelings of stress [in a cluttered space].”
Start by organising papers those piles of papers on your desk; categorise or order them in a way that will be logical to your workflow. Officeworks offer a range of different filing systems so you can work with the products that best suit your personal organisation. Coloured document wallets are a tidy way to manage loose papers, while display books are an organised option for storing and protecting important documents.
Keeping on-task requires good time management. Make sure you have a watch or clock in an easy-to-view spot in your workplace. Being able to keep track of time will help manage your daily work timeline and assist with goal-setting. “Set a reminder in your diary or phone for the last five minutes of every day to clear your workspace. Once you get started with this habit, it will take far less time each night and will ensure your workspace is set to go the next morning,” recommends Officeworks’s declutter expert, Anita Birges of Mise en Place.
As for those few loose ‘bits and bobs’ creating clutter; minimise the mess with small desk stationery drawers, like the Otto Criss Cross Storage Drawers. You can keep track of all your staples, thumbtacks and pens while keeping your desk space workable.
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2. Make it your own
Change your workspace from a place you have to be to a place you want to be. Personalise the space with artwork, stationery and office supplies that you like, and finish by adding your own photographs. Refreshing your office can instantly revitalise your own energy and attitude.
“Our environment can play a huge role in how we feel emotionally at work and in turn, affect our productivity,” says Dr Green.
Looking for some stylish stationery? Officeworks has a large range of fashion stationery, including patterns by designers such as Orla Kiely and Jonathan Adler. Making organisation chic and fun will encourage you to stay on top of your workload.
If you’ve forgotten something essential, Officeworks stock all your stationery needs instore and online (including labellers for those prone to misplacing or losing things!) and even offer same-day delivery to most metro areas when you order before 11:30am. Very handy.
3. Refresh your furniture
Changing up your office furniture will immediately give your space a fresh energy.
“Every piece of furniture in your office should hold a purpose,” says Birges. “Unless you need it to get your work done on a daily basis, it probably doesn’t serve its purpose anymore — remove it!”
If you’re looking for a new desk, note what wasn’t ideal with your old desk; was it too low, short, bulky? Use this as criteria for your new desk to fulfil. Once you have the technicalities of your desk out the way, you can start choosing an aesthetic that will work with your space. If you’re still unsure what you want, head in store to try before you buy. Officeworks has a variety of desk styles, with different features and compositions to suit all room sizes.
One thing to keep in mind? With studies finding harmful links between sedentary behaviour and the development of many chronic conditions, it’s important to invest in an office chair with ergonomic benefit. The Radar Plus Mesh Back Chair allows for more movement, reducing rigidity and stress on your lower back.
And finally, don’t forget to move. “Our brains get used to things fairly quickly, which means we need to find ways of keeping our environments fresh and stimulating,” says Dr Green. “Being able to move is also great to increase neural activity in the brain to keep the creativity and focus sustained. Use a sit-stand desk, a Fitbit or phone alarm to ensure you move regularly.” Try Fitbit Blaze Tapered Band Small Pink/Gold.
Now, ask yourself this. Who’s the boss?
This article is sponsored by Officeworks
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