Creating a Sacred Workspace: How to Optimise Your Environment for Productivity and Spirituality
Transform your workspace into a sacred place that boosts productivity and nourishes your soul.
Volume 23, Chapter VI, Number 024
Hello!
This Week’s One Great Thing: Creating a Sacred Workspace: How to Optimise Your Environment for Productivity and Spirituality
One day, I realised something. My workspace wasn't just a place to work. It was more than that. It became a quiet place, a sanctuary. The change didn't happen overnight. It was slow, like the soft light of the morning sun that gently wakes you up. It happened in the middle of the pandemic when I started working from home. And it continues to this day now that I keep an office in the middle of the urban jungle that is Singapore.
I noticed that the calmness of my workspace had an effect on me. I felt calm too. And when I'm calm, I can focus better on my work. I also saw how keeping my workspace clean and clutter-free influenced my mind. A clean physical space equals a clean mind. Less mess around meant less mess in my mind.
So, my workspace turned into a reflection of my mind. It's a simple yet powerful idea: our external environment mirrors our internal state. And by keeping my workspace clear and calm, it helped my mind to stay clear and calm too. This shift in perspective transformed not only my workspace but the way I work and see my work. I started seeing my workspace as a sacred place, a place where I could connect with my inner self and my work while shutting out distractions. These changes have helped me create a space that not only supports my work but also nourishes my soul.
Let me share with you how you can tweak your workspace to boost your productivity and also make it a place for spiritual growth. This is based on some well-known ideas and also some cool tricks I've picked up during my 20-year journey in this field.
The main idea is 'clear space, clear mind'. It's like the heart of making your workspace work for you. It comes from the idea that our outside world reflects what's going on inside us. So, if your workspace is a mess, it can make you feel overwhelmed without you even knowing it, and that can really mess up your productivity. Also, it's hard to find peace in a chaotic place. So, the first thing to do is to clean up and declutter your workspace. This simple step can make a huge difference, helping you to be more productive and feel more at peace.
Now, let's talk about something a bit different, but still really useful: Feng Shui. It's quite popular where I grew up, and in fact where I live in now (Singapore). It's this old Chinese way of arranging spaces. Some people might not take it seriously, but it has some ideas about how energy, or 'chi', flows in a place, that makes some sense. For example, if your desk faces the door, you might feel more secure and in control. And if your back is against a wall, it can feel like you've got support.
Next, think about adding a bit of nature to your workspace - like a plant, a small water fountain, or a shell from your last beach trip. These can help improve the feel of your workspace. They can make you feel calm, reduce stress, and even help you work better. Plus, they remind us that we're all part of nature, which is a big thing in a lot of spiritual ideas.
Lighting is another thing to think about. Good lighting is not just about being able to see clearly, but it can also help reduce strain on your eyes and help you focus better. And on the spiritual side, light often stands for knowledge and enlightenment in many traditions. So, bringing in natural light or a warm lamp can be good for your work and your spirit.
You might also want to add some symbols or things that mean something to you in your workspace - like a cross, a Buddha statue, a crystal, or maybe a quote that inspires you. These can serve as reminders of what's important to you spiritually and give you a boost when work gets tough.
Finally, in our world today where technology is everywhere, being a digital minimalist can really help your productivity. As Cal Newport shares in his book "Digital Minimalism", less digital distractions can help you focus and work better. Also, by cutting down on digital noise, you make space for spiritual practices like mindfulness and meditation.
So, to wrap it up, making your workspace better for productivity and spiritual growth is a process that needs both practical steps and personal touches. It involves cleaning up, arranging your space well, adding touches of nature, getting the lighting right, adding symbols that mean something to you, and cutting down on digital distractions. This doesn't just make you work better, but also helps make your workspace a special place that supports your spirit as you work every day.
But, it's not just about changing things around. It's also about seeing your workspace as more than just a place to work. It's a special place. And this change in how you see your workspace can be a big thing. It makes your workspace a little world that brings together your work life and your spiritual life.
As you keep growing in your work and your spiritual life, your workspace can change with you to reflect your journey. You might need to change your Feng Shui as your goals change, switch out nature elements as the seasons change, or add new symbols that match your growing spiritual understanding.
It's important to remember that these ideas I've shared are based on a lot of study and experience, but there's no one right way to do this. Making a special workspace is a very personal thing that should reflect your own journey towards better work and spiritual growth.
In the end, making a special workspace is like making a personal sanctuary where you can work towards your goals and also find peace and spiritual growth. It's a place that sees all your ups and downs, your questions and discoveries, and is a sign of your ongoing effort to grow personally and spiritually. By matching up the physical parts of your workspace with the inner parts of your spirit, you make a place that really supports your overall growth.
Now, this whole process may require you to shake things up a bit, to step outside what's normally done. You might need to try things you've never tried before. But remember, the goal here is about more than just getting stuff done—it's about making space for your spirit too. So, it's a little different, but trust me, it's worth it. You'll not only find yourself being more productive, but you'll also feel a deep sense of spiritual connection that makes your workspace more than just a workspace, but a space where your spirit feels at home, too.
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Ok! Now pause, get yourself to a window, look up to the sky, smile, and have a great day! Look forward to send you another letter next week!
☕ eric santillan