I was conducting my productivity and business management class when a colleague who was attending mentioned that one challenge she faces is a very small office space (roughly 8.5 x 6.5 feet).
She explained that her area is very cramped and cluttered at the moment and that she intends to spend some time over the next month culling out materials, reorganizing and making room for new systems that work better for her.
I agreed that her plan was a fabulous idea because first and foremost, whenever you clear out the clutter and get rid of that which isn’t working for you, you make room for the new and better and more ideal to come into your life.
Plus, besides facilitating happier, more productive workflows and energies, the care and love you put into your space permeates your business overall and translates into the care and respect and love you give to your work and clients.
I love my business. It’s enriched my life so much. It’s what has allowed me to live the life I want to live, and it’s contributed to my personal growth and happiness in huge and unexpected ways.
And so, besides creating a space that I enjoy being in, that nurtures my creativity and productivity (because let’s face it, we spend a large part of our lives engaged in our work), giving it the care and attention it deserves is a reflection of the love, care, seriousness, respect and gratitude I have for my business, my art (my work) and my clients.
Your space doesn’t need to be huge. No matter what space you have available, even if right now it’s a corner in the bedroom or part of the kitchen table, the important thing… the thing that will contribute to your overall happiness and success… is to dedicate it to the business. Don’t make it share or compete with anyone or anything else.
Carve out your little corner and dress it up so that it makes your heart smile being in it.
Organize it so that your movements can be fluid and flowing.
Put as much tender loving care into your space as you want your business and clients to give back to you!
I just got goosebumps because you’re talking about ME!
Work and self are intertwined because as you say, we do spend so many of our hours at work. It is important that we feel good in the space we’re spending so much time in.
I liken it to the “Look Good Feel Good” program where cancer patients receive free makeovers. While I don’t condone being obsessed over one’s looks, spending time to make yourself look good can make the world of difference in how you feel, your energy level, and how you feel about yourself. The same is true for your business! If it looks good and makes you feel good to be in it, you will naturally be more productive!
Oh, I’ve heard of those programs and think they are wonderful!
I agree—I don’t think it’s obsessing to care about one’s appearance at all. We aren’t just spiritual beings. We are physical beings as well, and sight is one of the senses we are blessed with. There’s no reason we should feel guilty about enjoying that gift.
Here’s how I look at it: We care about taking care of our homes and making things look nice. We enjoy our surroundings and looking at things that bring our eyes and minds pleasure. To me, our bodies are simply homes for our hearts and minds, and caring about our appearance and physical “homes” and wanting to look our best is just an extension of that.
Love all the interesting tangents these conversations often take! Thanks, Lorrie 🙂
By the way, just came across a blog post on some wonderfully creative and beautiful makeshift work spaces.
I think you are speaking directly to me Danielle – I never created a specific biz office area – and I am thinking now that this might be part of my issues – so I am going to work on carving out space just for biz and I’ll let you know what it creates! Great advice as usual and off to work I go.