5 Productivity Killers at Work—And How to Fix Them
Whether you work from home, cowork in a shared space or commute to your company’s corporate office, your physical work environment has an impact on your productivity and job satisfaction. Learn a few tricks for tweaking your surroundings so you can start this year with a happier, healthier outlook.
1| Go Natural
When you’re surrounded by synthetic materials all day, especially unattractive ones, it can take a toll on your happiness and productivity. Turn things around with natural light, natural materials and scenic views. Studies have shown they have a positive effect on our wellbeing and productivity. If you’re in the process of selecting a coworking space, make sure it has lots of natural light and pleasing aesthetics.
2| Socialize
Even as we are independent individuals, humans are social creatures. We spend our lives navigating our place within various communities, our workplace being one of them. Even if your coworkers aren’t your best friends, friendliness itself works wonders in transforming the workplace into a more enjoyable social atmosphere.
Keep in mind, how you prefer to be social at work (and how much) will vary significantly depending on your personality. If you’re an extrovert, you’ll thrive in a busy, energetic atmosphere. Introverts, on the other hand, will crave quieter spaces where they can focus more easily. Learn more ways introverts and extroverts can take control over their workday productivity in our previous article.
3| Clean Out the Clutter
Visual clutter can be distracting if you’re trying to focus. Or it can simply slow you down if items get lost within those piles. Take a few minutes at the beginning or end of each day to clean up your workspace, whether it’s a physical desk or even your computer’s virtual desktop.
4| Creature Comforts
You spend most of your day at work, so you might as well be comfortable. Ergonomic furniture (such as your desk chair) and other accessories make a tremendous difference. If a better chair is out of the question, you still have options. It’s easy to create your own standing desk or purchase an inexpensive back support pillow.
5| Privacy, Please
Various forms of privacy, such as visual and auditory, can be critical to enhanced productivity. Unfortunately, we all know how elusive privacy can be in today’s workspaces.
Headphones can be a lifesaver, shielding you from a noisy workplace. For visual privacy, try various setups so that you and your computer monitor aren’t front-and-center. If you can’t improve your nook, look for other areas in the space where you can work. Don’t hesitate to reserve small collaboration rooms or look for other quiet areas where you can work productively.
Meet at Roam
At Roam, we’ve carefully designed each of our five locations with functionality and productivity in mind. You’ll find coffee bars, quiet nooks, natural light, comfortable seating, privacy booths, nature-inspired décor, and much more. Visit us at Roam to see for yourself how you can enhance your productivity and enjoy a workspace that respects your wellbeing. We look forward to meeting you soon!