Workplace headspace

 

Working from home can be difficult for some, but I have been doing it for nearly fifteen years now.

It's just a case of compartmentalising. I need an area to work from, a desk, and an area that I can transform into a virtual personal training studio at the drop of a hat!

My old house was tiny, so it was really difficult, the dogs were ever-present, but they soon learned how to behave when I was training someone online. They actually learned so well, that in some of the stretch sessions they would start to get up, knowing that I would be finishing soon! Clever dogs.

I have a much bigger space to work in now, and I can screen off the dogs into the other room leaving my sessions uninterrupted.

My desk area is nice and light, a little chilly but I am also in the room where the woodburner is, so if I get cold I can light it, making my working space much more cosy too.

The view from above my desk is of the Northam Burrows, and the beach beyond, we can even see Saunton Sands from here on a clear day. I also get to see our friendly fat pigeon as he comes to the back door, demanding that I top the seed up for him! There are certainly worse places to work from, and being comfortable in your environment makes work much more productive.

I also like to surround myself with the perfect stationery. I know some of you will get this, I have notebooks for different things, and of course they are in my favourite colours. This inspires me to want to write in them, and work from them.

Then there's the pens and pencils I use.

I always use a pencil in my booking diary, but I love a pen for writing blogs like this, (I always write first before typing) recipes, training plans and more of my fictional book.

You cannot beat the feeling of your favourite pen between your fingers, and a clean, fresh page of notebook to write on. It's inspiring and just makes me want to get more and more creative in my work.

I know it's just a work station, but because I'm self-employed my business is my baby, it's not just a job, it's a way of life for me, so being surrounded by pretty things, good views, comfy chairs, all the things, makes me work better. It's a fact!

Take time to set up the right environment. It will make all the difference. 

Then, of course, there's my mobile work, and obviously I can't change people's houses when I'm in them, but my therapy van is another space I have the joy to work in.

I have found that the therapy van is a constant changing environment, I suppose because I use it for a lot of other things, family trips, dog walks, gardening supplies, shopping, it's not always just the therapy van.

So, when it comes to converting it for a session I like to take time to make sure it's perfect for me, and my client.

I have fairy lights in the van.

The bed rolls out for reflexology and the front seat swivels.

The cushions come out on the back seat for hypnotherapy.

Both situations are set up to be relaxing, comfortable and calming, and the addition of relaxing music finishes the all round look, feel, smell and sound of the environment.

I have been known to have a lie down in the back after a reflexology client has left, because I've been so relaxed myself.

So, all in all, the major keywords for me for any working environment are.....

Safety

Comfort

Practical

Calming

Productive

AND Incentive to work.

Make it yours, make it a place you want to spend a lot of time in, then you will.

What's your work space like?