8 Easy Steps for arranging your desk
1. Clear away clutter: If it's paper, file it, scan it, or trash it. If it's something that needs to be taken care of, do it now. Edit your essential desk-top items- do you really need 15 pens in your pen holder? Your desk is valuable real estate, and should be as clear and clean as possible.
2. Sit so you can clearly see the door. No one likes to be surprised when they are concentrating on their work. If you have a clear view of the door, you can see what's coming, literally and figuratively.
3. If you have a blank white wall behind your computer screen, it can cause eye strain and fatigue. If the wall is large enough, add artwork. Preferably something beautiful, inspiring, or action oriented (a sail boat race, a waterfall, running horses…just make sure it's an image that has a positive meaning to you. Do NOT display artwork of sinking ships, a battlefield, or dead or decaying items, all which elicit negative feelings)
4. Add a healthy living plant to the left corner of your desk. This is symbolically the wealth area of your desk, and you should nurture and care for a healthy growing plant in this area (You are symbolically nurturing and caring for your thriving career when you care for this plant, so be mindful of it). My favorite plants for this area are lucky bamboo (easy to keep alive), a jade plant (one of the favorites in the Asian culture because it's leaves are the shape of coins), or a plant that is in bloom (orchids are beautiful and are in bloom for quite a long time). DO NOT LET THIS PLANT DIE AT YOUR DESK…as soon as it starts to deteriorate, get a new healthy plant to replace it.
5. Add two personal photos to the right side of your desk, in nice frames. This is the relationship/love area of your desk, so chose your photos carefully. I suggest a happy photo of you with your loved one(s), and a second photo of either your children, your pet, or something that you love. If you love to travel, you can use a photo of a favorite destination, or somewhere you long to visit.
6. Add a table-top fountain in the north part of your office. Keep it small and classy. And yes, it should be as close to the northern compass point in your office as possible. (If you have an I-phone, you can download a free compass application that can easily tell you where north is.) A fountain in the north keeps the vital “chi” energy flowing in your office space. Make sure you keep this fountain turned on 24/7, even on the weekends, and when you are out of the office. If you turn the fountain on and off, you are turning on and off the energy of prosperity…which will start & stop your forward career movement. I love to add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to my fountain, which creates a subtle but fresh fragrance throughout the day, and has the added benefit of helping to keep you alert.
7. Add a candy or treat dish to your desk, and keep it filled with a popular treat that doesn't melt. Encourage quick visits from your office co-workers. A smile and a happy greeting from your co-workers will lift your spirits, keep you engaged, and bring a constant flow of energy to your work-space.
8. Keep positive affirmations close at hand. You can accomplish this in several ways; Famous quotes that inspire you posted on the wall/ the computer/or wherever you can see them; Books that inspire, or instruct you in career advancement; a screen-saver for your computer that has positive or motivational messages. Or add something personal to your desk or office that symbolizes success to you.
Of course there are many Feng Shui techniques that will apply to your specific office layout, but these are a few common tips that anyone can incorporate to make a positive change today!
