Your office is the place where things should get done. Properly coordinating your office furniture can have a positive effect on your productivity. Feng shui is a Chinese philosophical system based around harmony with one’s environment. It’s a sophisticated and complex form of physiognomy that has been practiced by the Chinese for over 3,500 years, but don’t be intimidated. There are a few simple things you can do in order to harness your Qi and bring new harmony into your workspace.

Organization

There’s no secret to the first step: a fundamental characteristic of any productive workplace is organization. The first thing you need to do is clear away any clutter you accumulated on your desk or elsewhere. In order to maintain a clutter-free lifestyle, consider the following:

– Deal with your paperwork as soon as it arrives. Piled up documents normally make up a good percentage of office furniture clutter.
– Before you leave for the day, make sure your desk is clean and clear, ready for the next morning.
– Identify the tools you use daily and most frequently and keep them within arm’s reach. This will keep you from leaving your desk.

Keeping those three habits is a great step towards the next goal: establishing balance and harmony.

Balance & Harmony

One of the founding theories of feng shui is the concept of Qi, a movable positive or negative life force that flows through the environment. Another is yin and yang, or the polarity between an exerting force and a receiving force. Concurrently, the Five Elements or Forces, which are earth, fire, water, wood and metal, play an important role as well.

Contemporary feng shui utilizes these concepts to create an aesthetic balance between your office furniture, decor and interior design. Try to have a representation of each of the five elements in your workspace.

For example, bright colors or bold lighting choices can represent fire. Cool colors, an aquarium, glass, or mirrors can all stand for water. Earth, wood, and metal can all be represented in your furnishings. It’s finding a balance between these elements that can be tricky. Additionally, keep in mind the guiding principle of yin and yang when making these decisions. Create contrast between angles and curves, high and low ceilings or windows, soft and hard textures, or through the general color palette. Plants, which can represent both wood and earth, are another great way to inject some life energy into your surroundings.

Influence

Feng shui dictates that every object in the room has an influence on you. Harnessing this influence in a beneficial way is the goal. Seat yourself farthest from the entrance, still facing the door, to ensure the most power and influence over the room. Make your workspace a place that you actively enjoy being in and a template for the success you want in life. Surround yourself with images and totems that keep you inspired and creative. Infusing your office with personality will support these ideals in your mind every day.

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