How to feng shui your office for increased productivity
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy that seeks to find balance and harmony. The philosophy uses the five main elements – wood, water, metal, earth, and fire. Applying the philosophy to your workspace may contribute to the success of your company. Here are some tips on how to Feng Shui your office for increased productivity.
Wood
Wood symbolizes growth and vitality. Use as much wooden furniture as possible and make sure it has curved edges because sharp edges are negative energy. Set out clutter-free desks facing the door and, in a way, so that positive energy can flow through the office freely and doesn’t have to squeeze through narrow corridors. Ensure that staff do not sit with their backs to the door as they will be unable to see the flow of opportunities entering the room.
Plenty of plants are another excellent way to incorporate the element of wood into the office and bring in nature’s freshness. Choose pretty colorful plants that will purify the air.
Water
The element of water encourages relaxation. Decorate the office with reflective surfaces such as water features, fish tanks, or an indoor water fountain. The sound of the running water will calm workers and keep any stress they are experiencing at bay. Water represents the free-flowing of ideas and thus helps promote office communication. Water elements, or their representatives, should be placed in the north corner of an office, where Feng Shui experts say they can boost concentration, focus, and intelligence.
Beware of mirrors. Even though they can represent the water element too, Feng Sui experts believe that mirrors can reflect others’ negative energy, so be cautious of them – they probably aren’t a good thing for office spaces.
Metal
Metallic elements can enhance mental sharpness and symbolize power. Use metal filing cabinets, pictures frames, and sculptures. Metal can influence staff to be ambitious, strong, and determined. The metal element is yin in nature. It signifies the energy moving inward. Additionally, it represents intelligence, life, and energy. It also means success, and it brings power. The metal element focuses on logic and mental clarity.
Earth
Use items such as crystals and pottery plant pots to represent the element of earth to encourage your office to be grounded and stable. Paint the walls earthy tones to promote calm and reassurance. A strong earth element will keep workers centered and down to earth.
Fire
Fire symbolizes passion and energy. Using items such as candles that actually harness the element of fire is not safe in an office environment. Decorate the office with images of a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Placing bright red, orange, or pink objects on the southern side of your office will encourage the flow of positive fire element energy of transformation, expansion, and volatility.
Fire can also represent aggression, so it needs to be used wisely. Fire is an essential element, but it is no more or less important than the other four elements: earth, wood, metal, and water. Knowing its characteristics allows you to balance it judiciously with all other elements to improve the energy of the spaces where you work, play, and live.
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