A few weeks ago, I conducted an informal poll through our social media channels asking the question -- "Do you have a clean desk or a messy desk?"
I asked this question because I've discovered that your workspace is a critical environment to leverage for productivity. Along with your people environment, mental environment, and technology environment -- your physical environment significantly impacts your productivity.
How does your physical environment factor into your productivity? I'm glad you asked.
First, let's talk about lighting. According to research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, those working in natural lighting stayed on-task for 15 percent longer than those working in artificial lighting only. In your workspace, do you have natural lighting or artificial lighting? Do you currently work near a window or a door? Is it possible to move closer to a natural light source to improve your productivity?
How about temperature? How many times have you felt either too hot or too cold in your workspace? Climate dramatically impacts your productivity level. According to the Strategic Human Resource Management or SHRM, "workplace performance increases with temperatures up to between 69.8 degrees and 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit, with the highest productivity at around 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit." Having the temperature set in this optimal range can significantly increase your productivity and comfortability in your workspace.
Speaking of comfortability, let's now talk about your desk. Did you know that on average, employees "average nearly 6 hours a day sitting at their office desks, according to Work & Health Research Centre, Loughborough University." Is your desk a place where you are comfortable working? Does your chair allow your feet to rest comfortably on the floor and your back to align with your monitor while maintaining good posture? Is your workspace conducive to your work style? Does desk or office clutter distract you from keeping your focus on the task at hand? Distraction is one of the greatest destructors of productivity.
We’ll talk more about distractions that derail our productivity in another post coming up. I have three helpful hints to immobilize distractions in your workspace that I can’t wait to share with you.
Until then, take a moment today to leverage your physical environment to enhance productivity!
