Human Resources HSE

My ideas on creating a motivational workspace

16 Sep 2021, 11:45 AM

1 Minute Read

Whether you work in an office environment or from home, there is nothing worse than having a workspace that doesn’t inspire or motivate you.

My previous blog gave my insights into 'Simple Steps to Improve Your Working From Home Setup', but work can be busy, overwhelming, and demanding at times, especially if it’s part of the profession. So, for me, having a calm space that helps reduce stress and increase productivity is essential. If you work from home, finding ways to create this atmosphere is paramount.

There is a fine line between a calm and relaxing space, and you need to find the right balance.

I've included some ideas below that I implemented and worked perfectly for me.

Add Greenery - A little bit of knowledge to widen my arena with you all; I am not known for having a green thumb, but one of my colleagues continuously told me I needed more greenery in my office space to calm me down in stressful times. After 4 years, she finally wore me down; yes, she is very persistent! Not only has it added colour to my space, but it has also made the wall behind my desk not so boring to stare at all day. The vine wall may be fake, but it doesn’t attract gnats or require watering, winning. That's my kind of greenery!!

Declutter – It has been said that too much visual stimulation can overwhelm your senses and increase your stress levels. So it’s a great reason to declutter and only have the essentials ready at your fingertips. Fortunately, I’m fairly OCD, and my workspaces have always been kept to the bare minimum, so this wasn't too laborious for me to complete.

Show Personality – Take your personality with you. If your workplace allows it, trade-in your boring desk calendar with one featuring your favourite show, add a photo of your family or fur babies or simply spruce up your stationery with your lucky pen. These personal items not only share a piece of your personality with your colleagues but can reduce your anxiety and stress levels. My personality is on show through my kids' artwork on my walls and the novelty of having a fidget pop-it on my desk. Honestly, they are addictive and calming once you get popping.