5 Ways to Improve Your Office with Megan Pogash, Feng Shui Guru
I have to be honest. I didn’t think Feng Shui was something I ever gave much thought to. When I sat in on Megan’s intriguing workshop last week at Groundwork, I realized that quite often I am moving things around in my home, or car, or workspace, for one reason or another. When I really gave it some thought, I realized I usually move things around because they aren’t flowing properly in the space, or something just “doesn’t feel right.” Alas, Feng Shui!
Certainly the right topic, at the right time for me. Having just started in my role as Community Manager at Groundwork in November, I was inspired by Megan’s insight to making a workspace feel functional, welcoming, creative and productive. A priority for me at work, as I want to make sure all of our members and visitors feel that this home-away-from-home work environment is everything they need it to be. There were many takeaways from her workshop, but here are my top five.
1.) Desk Placement and Office Space
- Avoid having your desk facing a doorway, or an open space, particularly windows. It’s best to have a wall at your back. It represents support. If that is not an option for you (due to your desk/office location), consider curtains/blinds or something to break that open space while you are working.
- Symbolically, when two windows are facing each other in a space of work, it represents throwing money out the window. Yikes! Certainly not something anyone in the business world would want. A remedy for this would be to hang a crystal in the space between, to help the chi to slow down, meander, and circulate throughout the space.
2.) Lighting & Colors
- Task lighting, versus overhead, is extremely helpful in achieving a more productive work space. A small desk lamp that provides comfortable lighting is ideal.
- Calm colors also help to boost focus and creativity. Ideally, beige, purple, blue, and green tends to work best in the workplace.
3.) Shapes
Rectangular shapes are most common in a workspace, so try implementing round, oval, and curved shapes to help balance the flow of energy. Even a round throw pillow propped on an office couch or chair can help to create this balance.
4.) Use the Elements to Balance Your Space
You may not be able to incorporate all of the elements into your space, but even working one or two of them in could be beneficial. Here are some examples of items to consider:
- Wood: Your desk
- Water: A small water fountain or photo of a waterfall
- Metal: Computer
- Earth: Small rocks, or crystals.
- Fire: A candle or fireplace conjures up fire energy. If neither is an option for you in your office, consider a triangular shaped object, which signifies fire energy.
5.) Location, Location, Location!
- Bagua, AKA the “eight symbols”, are the eight locations you should consider when using Feng Shui to plan out your workspace layout. They are: North, North East, South, South East, East, North West, South West, and West.
- Each of the eight symbols represents what you should and shouldn’t have in those locations in your home, at your desk, in a specific room, etc. Using the guidance of the eight symbols can help you decide where to put specific items, and where to avoid placement as well. For example, if you are a writer, you want to make sure your office or desk is located in the North East area of your workplace. So interesting, right?
You might be wondering why I only chose five takeaways. Well, in the interest of time, I had no choice! This is such a dynamic topic, we’d be here all day if I continued to share all that I learned. But the good news is that Megan would be happy to answer any and all questions you might have! CLICK HERE to check out the Feng Shui Guru website. I hope I have sparked your interest in Feng Shui, and maybe even inspired you to place a picture of a waterfall on your desk. May the walls be at your backs!
Get in touch with Megan Pogash, our local Feng Shui expert!
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