I admit I’ve been giving productivity a lot of thought lately. I’m all for working smart and not make building this sucker any harder than it needs to be.
But you know what? I’m not always super productive and sometimes it’s really hard to stay focused (although yoga has helped quite a bit!).
So while I’m figuring out ways to boost productivity, I’m also working on creating an environment that helps stimulate my brain and creativity.
You might know already that I’m a huge fan of gold and rose gold office supplies because they always put a smile on my face. And I’m also an advocate for putting on nice clothes every morning, even if the only place you need to go the whole day is your home office.
But there’s actually way more you can do to give your productivity a boost. And it has a lot to do with your desk, the room you work in, and self-care practices. So pick up a cup of tea (or coffee) and let’s get started.
1. Pick a color palette that puts you in the right mood
I stressed the importance of choosing the right color palette for your blog before but did you know the color of your workspace is just as important? It might not matter to your audience, but it certainly affects your mood and productivity.
The colors you surround yourself with evoke both a physical and emotional response and that ends up reflected in your work. So it might as well be of consequence for the future of your business.
When I first decided to create a home office out of our second bedroom, I used blue and yellow as the main colors. That’s because blue stimulates the mind and yellow boosts creativity. It also happens that yellow is my favorite color.
Your home office should be a happy place you always enter with a big smile on your face. Invest in a comfortable accent chair, a trendy blanket and some fun throw pillows for those moments when you want to work away from your desk.
You can also choose some elegant drapes, paint a wall in an uplifting color or use a feminine wallpaper. The only rule here is to pick colors that resonate with you and your mission.
2. Bring nature into your home office
I’ve always been a city girl but as the years pass by, I find myself craving nature more and more. A walk in the woods might not be handy for everyone, heck, maybe not even a walk in the park. But you can easily bring nature into your home office.
Research shows over and over again that indoor plants have the power to increase your productivity, help you stay focused and reduce stress. And in the long round, play a small part in helping you avoid burnout.
I always have a small potted plant on my desk and several other plants around the room. To be honest, I’m generally pretty good with plants. But even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of plants that won’t take much of your time.
Air plants, succulents, and cactus plants are hard to kill and will require your attention once a week or less, depending on how dry the air is where you are.
You get bonus points if you put them in adorable or chic pots (depends on your personal style).
3. Decorate with motivational wall art
When you feel stressed out and uninspired, it’s really difficult to produce your best work, if you can manage to do anything at all. That’s why surrounding yourself with the right motivational messages (and people) is vital to the livelihood of your biz.
Right now my office wall boasts this huge ‘Inhale’ & ‘Exhale’ wall art which is available for purchase in my Etsy shop. This gentle reminder to breath puts my anxiety at bay, helps me stay focused and directs my energy where it can be put to good use.
Some days it’s really hard to push forward and it is then when we need these little cues to help us keep going. I see motivational wall art as breadcrumbs we leave for our future selves so we won’t get lost.
Lethargy and procrastination will come, sooner or later. It’s not a question of if but when. So it’s really important to be prepared, as well as have a stand with inspirational quotes on your desk.
Art prints are really inexpensive these days so you can change them often, as your mood and needs shift.
4. Declutter ruthlessly and often
When it comes to productivity, clutter is my kryptonite.
Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, helped me a great deal. So I took her advice a step further and
I don’t know about you, but I simply cannot do any work, let alone be productive, until I’ve decluttered my desk. Too many objects make me feel overwhelmed and add unnecessary stress to my day. So decluttering my workspace is the first thing I do in the morning.
The reason I do this at the beginning of the day is that we are more focused and it’s way easier for our brains to decide what should stay and what should go in the morning.
Decluttering your desk shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes, so it’s really not taking away time or energy from important tasks.
For an exhale-inducing vibe, aim for a minimalist desk while keeping your papers, tools, and office supplies in fashionable rose gold wire organizers or in practical (and pretty) nesting boxes.
5. Stay hydrated in style
Working from home means you are subject to key distractions like repeated trips to the fridge. So in order to be productive and get things done in timely manner, try to reduce the number of times you walk into the kitchen.
If you really can’t do without snacks for a few hours, bring some to your desk in the morning (although your waistline will probably thank you for not doing so). But remember that mindlessly eating at your desk is not what you are supposed to do in this space.
Staying hydrated, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter. I know ‘drink more water‘ is no news to anyone, but the truth is, our brains need it to keep going, stay focused, and avoid fatigue.
So make sure you always bring a bottle of water to your desk BEFORE you jump on client calls and get sucked down the social media rabbit hole. And if you never seem to remember, a pretty reusable bottle might do the trick (it does for me!).
If you’re like me and love a good cup of tea (or coffee), then why not make the most of it by sipping your favorite pick-me-up from an uplifting cup for an extra dose of inspiration? I also like to use an electric mug warmer to keep my beverage hot for longer.
Now I’m not saying you should stay glued to the chair all day long. Get up and walk around the room, every hour. Set a reminder if you need to. But avoid further distractions.
About the author:
Hey there, dream chaser! I’m a writer and designer on a mission to inspire and empower you to create a highly profitable minimalist online business and show up for your dreams in a sustainable way.
xo, Laura
