by Barry Share
http://newlifestylepro.com/get_paid_to/
©
2008
Are you annoyed by the way in which things are turning
out in your workplace?
Do you work from home and are gradually
finding no scope of motivating your inner self to continue with your selected
work?
Before you start tearing your hair out, take a look
around at your workplace, be it at your home or your office.
Though
it sounds distant, your immediate work environment can significantly affect your
productivity and skills.
So what can you do to improve your
workplace?
1. Liven it up!
Take a
look around at your workplace. Do you find the environment dull and drab? It should
not be - research has demonstrated the positive impact of a bright and lively
work environment. The use of bright colours and the right amount of space and
light helps to create a positive working environment.
2.
Smell the roses
Texas A&M University has revealed the
effect of flowers on the workplace with its research of eight months.
The
entire experiment was carried out on the staff members of hectic official workplaces
that were involved in problem solving procedures and how the addition of flowers
enhanced their motivation and productivity.
Even hospitals
use flowers to create a positive environment. So, try and have a fresh bunch of
flowers appealingly arranged on your desk every morning and you will find your
energy levels and enthusiasm increase.
3. Push Play
Music
has a tremendous impact on our state of mind the genre, tempo and general nature
of music has been found to have a significant influence on our mood. Music, therefore,
can play a big role in improving your work environment and consequently motivating
you.
Though the music must be wisely selected - you want
the kind of music that soothes your mind and keeps it fresh and motivated towards
your work. Typically, soft background music, that doesn't distract your mind from
your work at hand, works best.
4. Don't loose your sense
of humour.
There is a funny side to work and work related
pressures and stresses that help tremendously in lightening up and not getting
bogged down under the pressure of it all.
Hence, to induce
your work environment to make you work effectively, you can put up humorous posters
like that of a very witty joke or a cartoon strip character. Such posters and
strips are widely available - if you're looking for a place to start, the daily
Dilbert strip is one option.
5. Clear the clutter
Over
time, our desks tend to get phenomenally cluttered. There's paper strewn all over
the place and the pile just keeps building up. All this clutter tends to create
an atmosphere of pressure as it consciously reminds you of pending work and expiring
deadlines.
Clear your desk - make sure you get rid of the
old stuff and keep the current or pending paperwork in an organized manner (preferably
in a cabinet). You will be surprised at the impact something as simple as this
will have in motivating you.
6. Ergonomics
While
often ignored, workplace ergonomics is very important, not only from the point
of view of ensuring maximum output during your work day, but also from a long
term health perspective. A lot of modern day professionals run into serious health
issues primarily because of bad workplace ergonomics.
Spend
some time and money ensuring you have the right workstation setting - the table,
your chair, your computer monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.
7.
Nourishment
Keep some quality nourishment at hand. Be it
a bowl of fruit, or any other form of snack you prefer. Also keep your coffee/
tea pot at hand if you need your regular cup of preferred brew through the day.
Trying
to concentrate on your work whilst hunger or thirst demand attention is futile.
You will end up wasting a lot of time doing sub-par work just to avoid having
to walk all the way to the kitchen or cafeteria.
Treat your
workplace as you would your home you want to keep it bright, fresh and a positive
influence.
I have gone through some general suggestions
to improve your work environment. However, every individual is unique and you
should make sure that your immediate environment goes with you and your personality,
and you have it under perfect control.
