The look of your executive office or workspace can affect your productivity, and how your coworkers or superiors perceive you. Employees who have control over their workspace are happier, healthier and ultimately more productive, says Meredith Wells-Lepley, Ph.D., senior research associate at the Institute for Workplace Innovation. Most people spend more time at work than home, so it makes sense that we should treat our workspace like our home and make it comfortable for us. At CEO Business Centers it is our goal to provide executive office space in the Atlanta area, based on the needs of our clients. We also provide you with information on how you can personalize that workspace to increase your productivity, and improve your creativity and general attitude towards work. We have explored numerous ways that you can personalize your workspace and reap the benefits of doing so.
Ways to Personalize Your Workspace
- Decorate and Make Functional Improvements – You want to decorate your workspace with things that express yourself. This will give you a sense of pride about your office and reduce work related stress because you feel relaxed and at home. It is best to decorate your workspace with things that improve functionality or organization, instead of just adding a bunch of knick-knacks. For example, if you like a lot of color, buy a brightly colored desk organizer with a stapler and post it’s to match, this will reduce workspace clutter while allowing you to express yourself.
- Get Your Workspace Some Plants – Recent studies have shown that having plants in the workplace reduces stress and increases productivity. Numerous studies have been conducted, including one by Dr. Virginia Lohr of Washington State University, where a computer program was used to measure productivity while inducing stress. The only variable in the experiment was the presence of plants. When plants were present, subjects recovered from stress more quickly and subject reaction time was 12% faster.
- Make Your Workspace Smell Good – Certain scents also have shown to increase productivity. According to a recent article in Entrepreneur Magazine, lemon, lavender, rosemary, jasmine, cinnamon and peppermint can promote concentration, fight mental fatigue and increase energy. It may be difficult to introduce scents in a shared workspace, but you may want to try explaining the benefits to your coworkers and see how they feel about it. If you have your own office, 1-6 drops of essential oils in a diffuser will give a nice aroma to work with.
- Proper Workspace Lighting Goes a Long Way – Bright florescent lights can drain energy and be exhausting to the eyes. If your workspace has windows, open the blinds and allow for as much natural lighting as possible. If your office doesn’t have many windows, consider lowering the lighting and having personal lamps to allow for different preferences.
As you can see, there are many benefits to having an executive office or workspace that is personalized. Get creative, get personal and enjoy your new personalized workspace!
