FINDING SOLUTIONS But what can you do if you find yourself working in a less-than- ideal situation? Trying to ensure your desk is somewhere near the middle might help. Research has shown that we instinctively believe that important people sit in the middle. Those around the edge are seen as marginalised and less important. It’s called the ‘centre-stage effect’. Debbie says, “You’ll also have a better chance of knowing what’s going on.” She adds, “I once had my own office while working for a major multinational in Brussels and hated it. I didn't get to know my colleagues as well and found it restrictive for brainstorming and collaboration.” Workplace Psychologist Tony Buon has spent more than 30
years advising companies and individuals on the best ways to arrange an office for optimal performance. He says that to improve time management you need to make some physical changes to prevent the likelihood of interruptions from your well-meaning colleagues.
AVOID BUSY AREAS “You may not have much control over this,” he says, “but if you do, think about the position of your desk and chairs. Even in open-plan offices some areas are worse than others. These tend to be things like the photocopier or coffee machine. If your desk is next to one of these areas try to move it. If you cannot, at least try to ensure that your back is towards these things.” Also, he cautions that, “hav- ing more than one chair around your desk is an invitation for some- one to sit in it. Once people sit down it is much more difficult to get rid of them. Unless a chair is vital remove it. Failing that, leave a book or papers on it when you want to be left alone.” And then there’s your co-workers. Linda Romain works at Impe-
It is vital that we are
happy in our working space. We need to feel
comfortable, organised and inspired and this is the secret to productivity
rial College, London and has worked in various different office layouts within her 22-year career. She says that the success of an office shared with others depends on who you’re sharing with. “I used to work in an office shared with two others at the other end of the corridor from my boss, which was ok but one of the other occupants worked part-time and, on the days that she was in the office, the atmos- phere could be quite strained. In such an environment, personali- ties definitely play a major part in whether or not the set-up works.” Linda now works in an open-
plan office, which she describes as “relaxed”. However, she points out, “It isn’t conducive to telephone calls of a sensitive or con- fidential nature.” Linda adds, “The building itself is all pre- dominantly glass but, although light and airy, heating is practically non-existent and so, despite the number of people in the area, it is almost always freezing cold.” In addition to this, her boss is now in another building. Given the choice, says Linda, “I would much rather be in a smaller office, located relatively close to my boss, with heating and a window which opens if required.”
ENHANCING WELL-BEING Really, says Niki Schafer, interior designer and author of Cre- ating Space, it comes down to having the right workspace for you. Niki is founder of the Dwell-Being philosophy, which pro- motes the idea that our living and working environments are vital to wellbeing. She says, “It is vital that we are happy in our working space. We need to feel comfortable, organised and inspired and this is the secret to productivity. We only output effectively when we are truly happy in our workspace.” If you have little choice in where you have your desk, you
can at least make the best of your situation. “White desks, chrome and other reflective materials will help bounce light around and give the impression of more space,” says Niki. “Keep- ing everything a single colour blurs the distinctions between spaces and fools the eye into thinking there is more space.”
LIGHTEN UP Natural daylight is also vital. It’s well documented that over- exposure to artificial light can lead to disrupted sleep. Of course it’s not always possible but if you can position your desk near a window then that will help. Don’t sit looking directly out as the light might affect how you look at your screen and your back will likely be to the door. Place your desk at right-angles to the window, this will illuminate your desktop with natural light, com- ing in from the right or left. There’s nothing worse than having someone creep up
behind you and watch what you’re typing, even if you’re not typ- ing a rundown of how your boss has irritated you that day. “Try positioning your desk in a way that you can receive people, and also distance them,” says Niki. “This gives a greater sense of privacy (and power) to the person behind the desk. It also gives you the license to have some personal elements which are out of view. A photo or two can do wonders for the esteem and can remind you of why you're working so hard.” E
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