Success is something we all want to attain, but a major factor for it that doesn’t always get enough attention is the environment where you do your work. You may value how much effort you’re putting into your objectives, but the road to those milestones can be unnecessarily rocky if you’re being bogged down by an unsuitable environment.
The truth is, everything around you can significantly impact your path to success, and can even hinder your career fitness. Analysing your career fitness is a core part of being able to refocus your energy and knowing what things need to change. One of the biggest issues affecting the health of one’s career is having a toxic environment and a lack of structure. That’s what makes the factors below so important. Since a lot of people are in remote work setups now, it’s easier than ever to take action on these.
Visuals
The appearance and layout of your surroundings are important to keeping up your productivity and motivation. Numerous studies have shown how various aspects of what you take in visually can affect your performance. Bad lighting, lots of litter and rubbish, a lack of natural elements, and even the colour scheme of things can hinder your progress and even contribute to higher stress levels. Try to target these changes immediately, so that you don’t fall into patterns of disarray and procrastination.
The first step is to keep things organised and arranged. This also makes it easier to find what you need. Next, make sure your lighting isn’t too cool and has the right amount of brightness to avoid eye strain. It’s also a good idea to make sure there’s a source of natural light coming in.
Aside from those changes, you can also make helpful additions that can ease stress and promote positive feelings. Try incorporating some small plants and natural elements in your work area. It can also help to put up some art, though you should avoid distracting items. If you feel inspired and comfortable, you are more likely to get important tasks done and feel happy doing all your work.
Ergonomics
Building on the importance of comfort, you also have to consider the ergonomics of your workspace.
For instance, bad posture and prolonged periods of sitting still can lead to greater discomfort down the line. The body does not like being stationary for too long, and one way to avoid that is to get up and walk around multiple times throughout your workday. It can also be a good idea to invest in a standing or height-adjustable desk for your home office, as these let you move around while in front of your computer, and avoid the many issues that come with prolonged sitting — such as joint pain and stiffness in your neck and legs. Studies have also shown that these desks can boost productivity and mood.
It’s also best to ensure that, as much as possible, you’re not stuck in a cramped space so that things don’t feel claustrophobic, and you have enough legroom. If you work over a computer, make sure that the monitor is at least a foot away from you and the top of the screen is slightly below eye level. Your keyboard should also be higher than your lap.
People
If you work in a space with other people, you’ll want to make sure that you maintain good relations. If the other people in your vicinity are negative, it can contribute to a lot of toxic build-up no matter how neat or comfortable your workspace is. A study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reveals that workplace bullying and harassment were major contributors to job burnout and lowered productivity.
If you can tackle these effectively, it can be exactly what you need to draw more fulfilment and success in your work.
Written exclusively for Whatwork.co.uk
by Alice Cross