Summary

Episode #10 of the course How to set up a productive working environment by Melissa Chu

 

Welcome to the final lesson of How to Set Up a Productive Working Environment!

Let’s go over what we’ve learned in this course.

Learn the root cause of your productivity. Determine what triggers you to be productive and what triggers you to be unproductive. Using all five senses, observe how you think and feel during a workday. List at least five points each for your productive and unproductive triggers.

Brainstorm solutions to be your most productive self. For each of your productive triggers, put down at least one way you can stay focused. For each of your unproductive triggers, think at least one solution to get rid of that distraction. The room you work in and the items surrounding you play a big impact on how well you work.

Declutter your workspace. Go through your items, figure out what’s work-related, and organize similar items together. Your desk should be kept as clear as possible, except for the documents you’re working on. Create a flow to your work so that you don’t waste time looking around for things.

Organize your computer files. Choose one root folder to put all your folders and files, and then divide the folder into subfolders. Structure your files according to how you navigate your files, such as by project, date, or category.

Create an ergonomic space for better work and health. Adjust your chair so that your back is straight. The monitor height should be at eye level so that you don’t need to lean forwards. When your chair, monitor, and keyboard are positioned correctly, you shouldn’t suffer from neck, arm, or back aches.

Keep meals separate from work. Separate meals from your workspace to allow for mindful eating, which is better for your productivity and overall health. If you like, it’s fine to enjoy tea, coffee, or other beverage and a snack while you work.

Listen to productive music. Moderate noise levels can help improve work performance. If you’re an introvert working on complex tasks, listen to downbeat music. If you’re an extrovert working on simple tasks, listen to upbeat music. And if you’re neither, listen to medium music.

Choose your colors wisely. Different colors impact your mood in different ways. Here’s a general breakdown: red is suitable for physical labor, yellow is suitable for innovation, green is suitable for creating calm, and blue is suitable for cognitive work. You can implement varying degrees of colors into your workspace.

Use the right lighting. High light temperatures are invigorating, making them ideal for work. Medium-light temperatures are welcoming yet vibrant, a good choice for meeting and waiting spaces. Low light temperatures are relaxing, suitable for break rooms. Working near actual daylight is a good way to improve your productivity.

Put nature elements into work. To boost your mood and productivity, post up nature images, put in green interior spaces, and keep indoor plants. Check that your workspace has healthy airflow by keeping air vents open, cleaning regularly, and maintaining humidity at 30% to 50%.

There you have it. Well done on getting through the course!

After learning and applying all the lessons, your workspace should see an improvement. You should be starting and ending the day feeling better, working more efficiently, and perhaps applying these principles to other aspects of your everyday life.

Remember that learning on its own is not enough. To make an impact, you should be applying new concepts, seeing what works, and making adjustments.

Thanks for joining me and I hope you enjoyed going through the course as much as I did!

Melissa

 

Recommended reading

You Are Capable of Change, You Just Need Your Brain to Believe It Too

 

Recommended book

Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave by Adam Alter

 

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