Part 2: How to maximize productivity in your small office space

Part 2:  Personalization/Lifestyle

When working, especially a shared space, it is important to personalize your workstation and/or office space.  When we create a space that represents our individual personalities, we are more comfortable in our setting and therefore more productive throughout the day.  

Keep it Simple:

Keep your desk clutter-free and remove any unwanted objects from your workspace to avoid distractions while maximizing  space for productivity.  While the exact items vary from person to person, there are only so many objects that are needed on your desk.and.  The most common essentials include a desk lamp, a pen cup with pens, pencils, and markers, a sticky note pad, a laptop or desktop with a mouse and a mouse pad, and a file organization system for at-hand tasks.  While these are the most common needs, you may only need a couple of them for your personal daily work.  Other objects like office supplies (extra notebooks, paper clips, and pens for example) are best stored away in a drawer.  Keeping the tools you need on a daily basis stored away in a nearby unit helps your productivity level because they are easily obtainable and you know just where to find them.  Taking 10 minutes in the morning to clean up your workspace from the day before can be part of your morning routine.  By the time you have cleared your workspace of all unnecessary items and checked your emails, the coffee you picked up on your way to the office has kicked in and you are ready to start your work day.

If you want to add in more personalization, add some shelving to your walls.  Use shelving for both organizational purposes and to add your own personal touch.  Include some decorative objects or artwork to frame your workstation.  This allows for the accents you enjoy while maintaining the desk space you need to be productive.  It’s also a great feature to have to give your eyes occasional breaks from the screen and to give you a boost of inspiration.

Keep the Ideas Flowing:

You never know when you will feel inspired or come up with a groundbreaking idea. That’s why having a way to write down these ideas should always be handy.  The solution could be as classic as having a Post-It or notebook and a pen ready on your desk, a note app on your computer, or even a chalkboard wall.  From a design standpoint, chalkboard walls have become more popular in office design as it is a way of adding a color or accent to the space, and it is a tool that does not take up any space - which is crucial when working in a shared space.  All you need is a pen cup with a couple chalkboard markers on your desk, and you can easily write down your ideas - making the common idiom “the writing's on the wall” a reality!  This offers a great way to be able to sit back and review your ideas or even add on throughout the day.  If your company is made up of multiple employees, chalkboard walls offer a space to show everyone the ideas that they can then add to. Thus, creating a starting point for teamwork.  Once you have your ideas down - have fun with them.  Add comment bubbles or draw frames around your top ideas to highlight the best of your brainstorming session.  This is a fun way to take a little break, reward yourself for your hard work, and add a personal, unique touch to your space.