So on average, most of us spend about 40 hours at work, every week. This basically means that you are spending more time at work than you are spending at home…take a moment to let that sink in. Having said that, it is important for all of us to feel comfortable at work, it is essential for us to feel at home, because basically, the work place becomes a second home.
Studies conducted at the Eastern Kentucky University have shown that by personalising your workspace – this implying your office, cubicle or desk – you can actually improve your productivity during the working day. The studies have suggested that adding something as simple as a plant or personal mug can boost your work moral and make you feel relaxed in the space, making it your own.
And lucky for you, this doesn’t need to be a daunting task. There are a few very simplistic ways to make your work space inspirational and motivating. To prove this point we have compiled a short list of ways to make your work space your own. Just a quick note before we take the leap – when decorating your space be sure to check if your employer allows it and be conscious of the ways in which you decorate, so as to keep your space professional and to avoid potentially insulting any of your colleagues, especially if you are sharing an office. Alrighty then – here we go!
Blotters! To start with a short explanation for those of you who don’t know… a blotter is the sheet of leather or fabric or other material, that you place under your PC’s keyboard to keep the keyboard from slipping across your desktop. This does not have to be a boring strip of brown leather though – unless that’s your thing – instead you could use a swatch of a carpet sample that reflects your personality and gives your desk a warm feel to it. It’s also soft and fuzzy to the touch. Or you could create your own blotter with photographs of all the places you would like to travel to, or have travelled to. The process is simple and you will definitely be able to add your personal touch.
Add some green to your desk. Plants are a great way to brighten up a space, and they also make the air in a cramped office a little fresher. And if, like me, you are incapable of keeping anything green alive…fret not, because fake plants can brighten the feel of your desk just as easily as `n real one does, minus the fresh air of course.
Inspirational quotes are a great way to keep you motivated throughout the day. You can tack them to your pin board (if you have one) or use cute little note holders to keep them in sight and in mind. Another great way to personalise your desk is to add memorabilia from trips and travels. These keepsakes can be used as paperweights, desktop-décor or simply to inspire you for the day. If you don’t have any of these mementoes yet, Namibia may just be the ideal place for you to get some. You can find anything from a little pink hippo paperweight to a wooden meerkat that watches over you while you work.
Bring a personal mug to work to enjoy your coffee in. This will make you feel more at home and will add a personal touch to your work space. The mug can be floral, cartoon themed or perhaps you’ve hauled it home with you from abroad, another great way to remember and be inspired by your travels. Another simplistic and inexpensive trick to add a personal touch…origami storage boxes.
There are dozens of designs to help you organise and store all those tedious little objects that clutter your desk, such as paperclips or staples. This is also a great way to recycle scrap paper instead of letting it end in the bin.
Another fun and extremely unique way to create storage for desk clutter is sand, I would suggest using Kalahari sand because of the stunning colour. You need only mix the sand with some glue and drip it over the bottom of a bowl. Once it has dried and hardened, you have a unique way to store paper clips and it reminds you of a trip to Namibia!
And we can’t forget about those horribly uncomfortable office chairs… somehow they just never offer enough support for your back and the seat is uncomfortably hard… Well, it doesn’t have to be that way and the solution is super easy. Get yourself a pillow that you bring along to work, it can be a standard throw pillow that simply offers a little added support, or you can get one of those lumber support pillows that strap to your chair. If you find the colours a bit too boring, brighten it up with some warm fabrics.
Personalising your desk or work space does not need to be an unnerving task, it can be really simple and super fun. And chances are you will be able to be more productive if you feel at home and comfortable at work, because as we said above, it is after all your second home. And a bonus health tip: it is really good for you to get up and take a walk every 30-40 minutes. This is to help get your blood flowing properly and keep your heart healthy and strong. And of course fresh air is never a bad thing.
If you have any other tricks for personalising your space, please share them with us in the comment section below.
Author – Jescey Visagie is a proud Namibian and is passionate about writing and language. Tag along for the ride as she tries to uncover new insights into Namibia and explores what the country has to offer.
