Thomas Edison had a meticulously-designed lab in New Jersey where he invented and developed world-changing technologies and products.
Rudyard Kipling sought out a perfect sanctuary in Suffolk where he could quietly go about his peerless creation.
Google leads the way with inspirational campus-style workspaces that bring out the best in their employees.
Most people though, simply make do with what they have.
- You pop-up an office in the spare bedroom.
- You share open-plan with noisy, chatty or simply uninspiring colleagues.
- You peer at tiny laptop screens that give you migraines.
- You tolerate lousy phone lines that impede communications and drive frustration.
Here’s a checklist to see how your work environment might be holding you back:
- Can you see the daylight from your desk? You should.
- How many plants (Real, live ones) in your workspace? More than one is good.
- How many monitors? If you do most of your work online, three is the optimum for productivity.
- Whiteboard? Essential for doodles, notes and goal setting in plain view.
- Distractions? If you operate from home, set clear family boundaries. When you’re at work, you’re at work.
- Clutter? Clear that desk! There’s no excuse for for piles of papers, staplers, plates and cups.
- Flaky internet or phone signal? Do whatever it takes to sort it out.
Find your sanctuary, clear your mind, do your great work.