Let’s face it - productivity is hard. When sitting down to start a new project, assignment or any kind of work, there is a lot that goes into making sure your environment is ideal for the highest level of productivity. There are things unique to you that you can surround yourself with in order to maximize your efficiency, creativity and overall workflow in your workspace.
Surround Yourself with Reminders of Your Goals
When you are working, there is always something tangible you can be working toward. Maybe you are saving up for a big vacation to a new place or for a brand new car. Maybe you are aspiring to have your art appear in a famous museum one day. In your workplace you can pin up photographs of your vacation destination or the new car to keep you going. Make them your computer or phone wallpaper. Have a poster of the museum where you work and surround yourself with works that appear in that gallery. Every time you lose motivation or focus, you have a constant reminder to keep pushing toward your goals.
Surround Yourself with Things That Inspire You to be Great
Usually, most people have other pieces of work related to what they do that inspires them to achieve great things. If you’re an artist, hang your favorite artists work near where you create. If you’re a writer, keep your favorite author's books close by to read whenever you get stuck. Maybe there was one piece that inspired you to do the work you do. Make sure it’s somewhere you can always see it. We find inspiration, hope and joy in looking at work we admire. Use this to your advantage by surrounding yourself with inspirational material.
All the Tools You Need to Get Down To It
Once you’re motivated and inspired, it’s important to minimize distraction and make sure you have absolutely everything you need close at hand. If you have to get up and go to another room to find materials, resources, tools, or anything else you need, you may lose your train of thought or disrupt your workflow. Make sure everything is organized and within reach.
Your Favorite Fuel
If you’re the kind of person who likes to sit and work for long intervals, it’s a good idea to include nourishment within your immediate work space. Surround yourself with water, tea and healthy snacks to keep you going strong. Again, having to take a break when you get hungry or thirsty can really mess up your workflow.
Barriers Between You and Distractions
We have become so accustomed to having our phones on all the time, it’s difficult to ignore them. But while you work, distractions like social media can really impede your workflow. Restrain yourself from distraction by creating barriers between you and those pesky notifications. Turn your phone off or leave it in another room. You’ll find you are much more present and able to focus on your work.
Photo by Jillian Northrup
