The workplace, a magical place where dreams come true -

Or a place where we go simply to pay for the car we’re driving in to get there? We’ve come a long way since the inception of the typewriter and the dawn of cubicles. Underlying all of this was a concept from the industrial age that the notion of “going to work” was about arriving at a specific location and working on a specific task either as an individual or with the same group of people to achieve an end result. Managers worked from the philosophy of managing by seeing, and they valued employees as implementers of work. Now, as citizens of the 21st century, we find ourselves as instigators of ideas and concepts - and our workplaces reflect this.

The office workspace has changed… and you should too!

Business processes are becoming increasingly automated and exponentially faster as connectivity booms. This is happening to such a degree that even the concept of the desk in front of you has changed - some are even using standing desks now. So you might be thinking, why am I reading about the dreaded office workspace on a loan comparison website? Well, as humans - we work, we build things, we think, we dream, we search for things on the internet, and we fall asleep - all behind a desk. The modern office workspace is all around us, from public benches to home offices, so we might as well enjoy our surroundings while we’re at it. Read on for a few tips on getting the most out of your workspace.

How to get the most out of your Office Workspace:

De-clutter

Does your pen often get lost between all the sticky notes, paper trays, and photos of your dogs? It's time to declutter and get rid of all the junk taking up space on your desk and in your mind. Thanks to the increasing rate of connectivity, we don’t need heaps of paper, pens, and books weighing down on us, all brought neatly together with a creative array of sticky notes. You may think that you don’t have time to organize your office, but if you really knew how much time that disorganization costs you, you’d reconsider. Rearranging and moving piles occasionally doesn’t count. Neither does clearing off your desk if you swipe the mess into a bin or a desk drawer. A relatively neat and orderly office space clears the way for higher productivity and less wasted time.

Establish work zones

If you’re fortunate enough and your workspace is at home, you’ll benefit from establishing a “work only” zone. It’s easy to get distracted when you’re working from your humble abode as there will always be small tasks staring you in the face. So don’t give in, allocate specific work times and do only that which you have decided to do. Also, decide what activity takes place in each area of your workspace and position everything you need within close proximity so you don’t have to go looking for something elsewhere and risk being side-tracked by other tasks that need to be completed.

Let there be light

Try to make sure that natural light comes into your office workspace. Natural light, especially on a sunny South African day, can energize and help you to be more productive.  

Think less (and by less we mean minimal)

Stripping down to the bare essentials seems to be the new thing these days. Getting rid of things you don’t need, and keeping only to the bare minimum will be good for your productivity. This will work in the office environment as well as in other areas of life. Also, think ergonomic design elements. Because you spend so much time each week in the office, it is important that you be comfortable. So invest in products that will make you more comfortable and that will increase your efficiency.

Create good vibes

You don’t need to be a graphic designer or creative genius to spread the joy. Instead, just reach into your smartphone’s massive photo collection and make an album of your favourites. Why not have a rotating selection of smiles right next to your monitor, reminding you what you’re working so hard for in the first place!

The Bottom Line

The future of the office workspace is in your hands, whether you’re working in a corporate environment or you’re an entrepreneur working from home. Be creative and create the flavour you’d like, why not head on over to Pinterest to get some great ideas!

Fincheck wishes you all the best for 2016 and we hope this inspires you to shift your perspective on your workspace, wherever that may be. We’d also like to encourage you to enjoy your work, after all, work is a gift – we might as well enjoy it!