Okay, so normally when I write on a particular topic I’m pretty confident that I have adequate knowledge, insight and understanding (of that topic) to be able to educate, inform and/or inspire my readers to take action, or at the very least, consider making some changes in their world. Today I’m definitely not the expert. Today I’m just a bloke who has come to a personal realisation over the last year (or so) about the type of impact my work environment has on not only how I do my job, but also my emotional and psychological states overall. I thought I’d share this insight with you today because (1) it may be relevant and of value to some of you (2) it might stimulate you to think about how and where you work (3) some of you will be able to teach me something - being as I’m no expert in this area - and (4) I think we can probably generate some interesting group discussion, feedback and ideas on the matter.
By the way, I’ve always considered professional surfers to have a pretty cool office. I guess most park rangers, life-savers, cruise-ship captains and zoo keepers would be in that category too. 
My realisation is this:
The environment that I work in (particularly when that work is writing and mentoring) has a significant impact on (1) the quality of my work (2) how much I enjoy doing that work (3) my creative flow (4) my ability to stay focused and on-task (5) my internal state (whether I’m calm, anxious, happy, stressed, relaxed) (6) how productive I am, and finally, (7) whether or not I look forward to being in that place.
We’re All in the Same Boat
I don’t think this realisation or reality is unique to me. I’m guessing it’s universal. That is, on some level we’re all affected by the environment in which we work. Positively or negatively. As I explore this subject, I’m also mindful of the fact that we all work in different situations and circumstances and that we all have varying levels of control over the type of environment in which we work. For example, a person working on a factory floor along-side hundreds of others may not have the same scope or flexibility (to create an optimal work space) as somebody like me who is self-employed. Having said that, sometimes creating an optimal, or even improved, work space may have very little to do with light, colours and lay-out (the physical stuff) and plenty to do with changing the culture, practices and accepted behaviours of that organisation. Nuf said on that.
The Office with no Walls
My home office (the one I’ve worked in for the last three years) is a nice space to work from - first floor outlook, trees outside the windows, plenty of natural light, nice furniture, it’s relatively quiet (mainly because I work alone) and overall, it has a nice feel to it. But to be honest, I’d rather awesome than nice. A few months back I was at my beach house and I was on the verandah writing an article on my laptop when it dawned on me that working outdoors (although it doesn’t really seem like work) while listening to the ocean is a pretty cool office. In that moment it also dawned on me that not all offices need to be plastered, painted, carpeted and filled with office-type furniture. Why couldn’t I create a non-traditional, atypical work space – one that I would love to be in? (I thought). Why couldn’t I create a little bit of serenity right in the middle of suburbia? What if I could do the bulk of my work (mentoring, writing, researching, planning) in a relaxing, calming, stimulating and beautiful place? So that became my plan. No phone, no windows, no desk, no whiteboard, no door to knock on and no clock on the wall. In fact, no walls to hang the clock on – an office without walls. All I wanted was some comfortable furniture in a simple space, surrounded by trees. Oh yeah… and a roof made of grass!
What Works for You?
Of course there’s no universal ‘best’ work space or standard formula, in fact, it’s a pretty personal thing. We need to find – and hopefully create – the type of environment where we function optimally. A place where (for the most part) we are happy, creative, stimulated, calm and productive. Of course creating our ideal – or even improved – work space doesn’t mean we all need to convert our yard into a tropical office. No, some of us will thrive working on the fortieth floor while gazing out the window at the urban sprawl, the concrete jungle and the masses of humanity below. For some folk their best space will be working on a fishing trawler in the middle of the ocean (not me however). And for others, their ideal work space will be driving their wagon full of exercise equipment to their next personal training client. There is no right or wrong when it comes to this stuff… only a right or wrong for us (personally). My ideal might be your nightmare. Or vice-versa.
Where to Start?
Sometimes we spend so much time doing the same things, the same way in the same not-particularly-stimulating-or-pleasant environment that it doesn’t actually occur to us that with a little time, effort or energy we can create a much better work environment. That is, we have the power to create (almost) instant and dramatic change when we’re determined to find a way. Many of us just turn up today and do what we did yesterday because… that’s what we do. Sometimes it’s important for us to take a step back from our day-to-day work situation and to gain a new perspective. To look at ’old things’ in a new way. It’s amazing what a difference even small changes in our work space can make to our mental and emotional states and therefore our overall level of happiness and job satisfaction. Those changes can range from something as simple as a coat of paint, a re-arranging of furniture, the addition of some plants or the inclusion of some calming background music – through to a major overhaul like the one I’ve just completed.
Optimal Work Space on a Budget
One of my friends just totally revamped her home office, taking it from bleak, boring and depressing to cool, funky and inviting for under five hundred bucks. She did all the work herself, developed a few new skills along the way and the entire job took her less than a month (working in her spare time). She painted, sanded, hammered, re-upholstered, demolished, built and designed her way to her very own optimal work space. Now she loves where she works and wishes she had done it years ago.
Focus on What You Can Change
Now before you write and tell me that you’re not in a situation like me (self-employed etc.) so you don’t have the flexibility or resources that I do, I’ll tell you to save your breath and focus your energy on what you can do, not what you can’t. That is, invest your time and emotional energy where it will give you the best return. If at this point in time it’s not feasible for you to implement major changes then that’s cool… but choose to invest your energy, intelligence and creativity into the things over which you have control. Ask better questions and you’ll produce better results. Be solution-focused and not problem-obsessed and you’ll be surprised what you can create when your head is in the right place.
Clearly I’m no landscaper, carpenter, interior decorator, ergonomic specialist, painter or Feng Shui practitioner, so I welcome your thoughts, ideas, feedback, advice and suggestions on this topic.
P.S. Over the last week I have started working from my new outdoor office. My clients love it and so do I. And yes, that’s it in the photos.
Ciao xx
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice Craig, real nice.
I’m hearing you. I dream about the day our new house is built and I can sit on my balcony (overlooking Bass Strait, the mountains … and the river) and work on my lappy.
To me, I live in paradise … the mountains are stunning and the water is calming. Don’t get me started on the yachts!
What having a “balcony office” will do for my creativity, motivation and my spirit, I can only imagine!!
My current home office is far from ideal. There is no way to shut it off from the busy lounge room and the Wiggles are kinda distracting!!!
As we have already started planning our new house (see architect v soon!!), I have planned my new ground-floor office in detail. I know the furniture, I know the filing system, I know the technology, I even know what kind of benches, desks, chairs and rubbish bin I want!!! Sad, I know. But I have been dreaming about the house in its entirety for more than 5 years!! Next year, it WILL happen.
I also know I won’t want to work in the office all the time. In the summer, I’m gonna want to be on the balcony looking at that blue, blue water. Aah paradise.
I can’t wait to hear what everyone else’s perfect workspace is like!!!
I just know I’m going to dream about that “balcony office” tonight!
Sweet dreams!
Em
( ) x
Wow I love it….not sure I would be getting too much work….it looks so relaxing! Suddenly I may need some mentoring…or maybe just a cuppa…lol.
I can’t change things where I work (it is fairly nice already) but I am wanting to change my backyard….of course being on an incredibly limited budget I will have to do ALL the work myself….that could maybe make it all the more enjoyable to sit/work/create/whatever in couldn’t it.
Love it!!! Enjoy it
hugs
Chelle xxxx
It’s very Queensland
What are you gonna do when its 10oC and pelting down with rain in the middle of a Melbourne Winter?
Nice one Anon!
Craig writes “Be solution-focused and not problem-obsessed and you’ll be surprised what you can create when your head is in the right place”, and you write “What are you gonna do when its 10oC and pelting down with rain in the middle of a Melbourne Winter?.
Glad that whole glass half empty thing is working for you!
I love it and should i ever get to melbourne i expect an invite for coffee and a chat.
Great ideas always happen here! Being new, I just want to reach out and say… ‘thank each poster (and especially Craig) for all of the great thoughts and input. It helps me think and that can’t be a bad thing.
I am living with my Mom now as she has some health issues. I put all of thing ‘things’ and own idea life on hold for a bit. My office isn’t… it is a corner is a kitchen area. It is rather difficult to be creative (required in my job) especially, when Mom is coming in every few, just wanting to know if I need food, drink, anything at all:)
I sometimes take my laptop out and sit in her backyard. It helps a great deal. I do not think I could invest in a permanent place. I also have been stopping off at a very upscale shopping mall and sitting by the ice skating rink in front of their giant stone place. It is a great place to work and create. All that to say, even though I can’t make a permanent place and am committed to this place in time with my Mom… coming up with ‘different’ places to work is refreshing and it works for me now.
Thanks for the ideas,
My best to you all from Texas,
Victoria
Hey Craig,
This subject in kind of out of the box, if you know what I mean
I think it is important for us to take more into account what kind of work space helps our psychological state and design it with this in mind, and take less into account standard conventions about how an office, a cabinet and so on should look.
Eduard
Wow you have hit the nail on the head again Craig!
Before I came to RYL earlier this year all I did was complain about my living arrangements – the space/enviroment did not make me happy anymore. Interestingly when I spoke about moving lots of people around me tried to discourage me.
After RYL I came home determined to find a solution and I did!
I have moved into a new home – which I totally love. But more importantly I cannot get over how this change/move has impacted my mental state. More positive, more relaxed, more calm – what a win.
This new state of mind has been just what I needed and although life has been hectic, challenging and difficult at times I now choose the way I think. I have made a conscious decision to go with finding solutions. Thank you for your wisdom.
kisses M
Nice work, Mr Harper. You’ll be feeling hut hut hut hanging out there (yeah, I know, that was lame …).
I have had a few Feng Shui challenges this year because I share a classroom with one of the loveliest but messiest teachers in the known universe. I like clean lines, minimalism and order. She sees an uncluttered space as an affront to nature and then spends half the lesson trying to find an elusive piece of paper which ‘someone must have moved when they were tidying up!’. Hmmmm.
Sometimes the best solutions are simple: I fill the classroom with fresh flowers (some I buy and some I pilfer from the school garden when the grumpy groundskeeper is on his three-hour coffee break) and open the windows to the sunshine and fresh air. When the students walk into the classroom they smile because the room has a different ‘feel’. Very easy. Very cool.
Have a fabulous day, everyone.
Christina xxx
What impeccable timing, Craig! Recently I swapped rooms from what was my bedroom at the front of the house (yes, its north facing = it gets very hot) to what was the study. I’m still gettin’ myself all settled and organised but I’m gettin’ there. Its been amazing to see how much happier I’ve been since the ‘micro move.’ I have what surely must be the biggest ass custom desk ever built (!!!) and I have that now in my new room (it wouldn’t have fit in the other one), and I also have a built in robe (the other room was clearly meant to be the study but the owners before us set up my new room with the phone jacks for ADSL internet).
I love your pics of your new outdoor work space. Book me in for the first Tuesday of Feb, please. 5:30AM suit you?
I’m such an early bird these days. I’m embracing it now and no longer fighting it. It’s cooler at that time of day anyway – and I get more things done.
Yes please Mr Harper – could you pop on into my massive open plan building that houses 16 solution focussed professionals on a day to day basis all accommodated at a mish mash of desk finishes and sizes, with absolutely none, zip, zero storage space and kindly create differently nice – p l e a s e !!!!! My glass half full experiences are at least enhanced with the addition of a brightly decorated Xmas Tree not too far from my work space and framed in a large picture window that has the street and memorial park beyond as the backdrop – I do spend a lot of time peering out through the filter blind at that scene I must admit – I feel very sorry for those poor souls situated at the very back of the building who see nothing but brick wall! Nope, not swapping my space at all.
Oh. My. God. Craig, you are either much more than 30% female …. OR you’re purposefully raising your chances of getting laid (which may well work with that environment, by the way!). Seriously, there are more cushions on that ensemble than in an oversized Turkish bazaar!
But now that your new office has me all relaxed, I can’t help but be honest…… I’m SO friggin’ jealous!
This looks like a very relaxing little retreat indeed. Do you have a water feature too?
Whenever I take my computer outside I can’t see the screen and end up totally frustrated (and with a few more crows feet from constant squinting). How do you deal with that when you are working outside? Or is it because I must have a really sucky computer?
Thanks for this article it has made me think about my office work space. I have up to now put up with a rather drab work space. Even though I am limited in what I can do as I work for the Government, I can still do things like bring in a few pot plants (no not marijuana plants but plants that happen to be in pots) and add some other decoative touches to my workspace to make it more pleasant. So as from tomorrow morning until 24th of December I will bring in one thing each morning to brighten up my work space. Looking forward to it already.
Please don’t take what I am about to say the wrong way I am only commenting as I truly believe you could be missing that special something….
Whilst your outdoor office and garden area looks lovely it does look a bit like something straight out of a glossy Home Beautiful or House and Garden magazine. It looks super cool and almost too perfect. Where is the homely touch….a little piece of you….the something that makes it obvious that it is your space, it doesn’t have to reek of Craig Harper (although that probably wouldn’t be a bad thing) it can be as subtle or as obvious as you like.
So, I’m thinking our new home work space might be a lanai with the sounds of distant ocean!
Hrrmmppphh!! How soon they forget! I post my comment and the ether tags me as “Anonymous”. Well. Phhhtttt!!
On the comment by Johnny Mo- designers Hate It when you take “their” pristine installation and turn it into a train wreck with your own personal belongings. ( I have my degree in space planning/architectural drafting, but I always thought other designers were a bit bizzare for that.)
That would be a challenge to ship over though.
Craig, it’s amazing. In time you may want to add some art, and if you do I’ll paint you a mural.
Or a piece of sculpture would be cool.
xo
Now Craig, I think you are just showing off a little bit here!
Hey mate looks awesome,its relaxing just looking at the pics, i just hope that the bamboo isnt the type that clumps up and over takes everything =]
Nice, great taste… now if it rains as I am sure it does alot in Melbourne, r those lounges water proof!
he he he – I see your point Lisa. I have seen some people go overboard with horrible kitsch or all sorts of clutter, and have to agree it can look messy or even worse downright tacky. (eg for tacky I am thinking a Panda statue or two nestled in amongst the bamboo. – I have actually seen this in someone’s backyard – it looked bloody ridiculous and yes I hate to admit it was a bloke who came up with this idea)
I was thinking more subtle – you know a signature piece that “finishes it off” and puts a personal stamp on the area and takes away the slightly sterile look. Your idea Lisa of a peice of art/mural is a good one.
As Craig is apparently 30% female (or so we have been led to believe) I am sure this will go a long way towards Craig being able to come up with something tasteful.
Just perfect. In the winter I can just see some clear roll down screens (to keep the wind out) and a nice little heater perched high on the roof for a bit of warmth. Just perfect. I might just move my office in with yours.
Hi Guys! Wow, what an awesome day it is here in Melb – 30c (90f) and not a cloud in the sky. Good thing I have an office with no walls!
Thanks for all your feedback, compliments and thoughts. Love it.
To answer a few questions:
1. Yep, it’s waterproof – unless of course the rain comes in on a major angle… the other day I worked in the rain and nothing but the roof got wet.
2. Yep, I think I’ll find myself a roll-down (type) cover for the (big) open side.
3. No, the cushions are not water-proof (as such) – more water repellant. However, I’m going to spray some of that Scotch-Guard stuff on them… unless someone has a better idea?
4. It’s actually quite dark when I sit on the far side near the trees (where I am right now) so I can see my laptop screen quite clearly.
5. Don’t have a water feature… looking for one that’s not tacky..
6. Lisa – maybe we could ship you over and you could paint my mural here?
7. Not the taking-over type of bamboo (I was warned!)
8. I agree – it is a little ‘Home Beautiful’ (magazine) at the moment… I guess it will become more ‘me’ over time…
9. Yes, I may in fact be 35% female (not 30)
10. Big hi to all our newbies – nice to hear from you
Cheers Guys xx
Well I am glad I am not the only one who thinks the 30% is a little underestimated. Thanks anonymous!
Then there is the topic of work spaces. My work environment is noisey, and can be crowded with up to 80 blokes sharing a relatively small space. The big advantage though is that I have the ocean to look at. So when the need arises I find the quietest place I can find and watch the ocean. Like a surfer without the board. The ocean does have a wonderful therapeutic value.
However sometimes we overlook some parts of our life that have beauty and can offer that therapeutic value.
There is a particular tree in my former hometown of Moe that I have walked and driven past thousands of times in my life and it wasn’t until recently that someone posted a photo of the tree that I really noticed how lovely it was.
So seeing we can’t always create the ideal work space, sometimes you need to look no further than a plant or the sky for that shot of refresh.
I’m feeling more inspired already.
Now that’s an office!
Hmmm… makes the internal view of my shipping container very plain indeed! I always joke that I have million dollar views from my office window… unfortunately it is usually of a dragline ( a “really, really big coal digger” for the uninitiated..) or a mountain of coal! Not to mention the smell of 6 sweaty, semi damp, covered in blackjack and grease supervisors that also inhabit my office space…. Makes the three weeks on the catarmaran off the east coast of Oz even more entertaining though in the holiday break… not a pair of gym shoes in sight! Not one of the fish I caught was close the the weight of a dumb-bell either..
I agree with the idea of the office making the mood, but in my case I just have to work harder at visualization! You know on a cloudy night, when you squint, the lights off the dragline and the cranes almost look like the yachts on the Marina… kinda…
excellent job Craig on the office… I look forward to many a profound word to come from the oasis in the south!
Happy New Year to all, and may your 2010 shape up as well as you do!
Jak
Nice post.
As long as I have a clean workspace I do pretty good. Work time is more important to me. I recently began waking up a 3 a.m. and its been an amazing change for me.
THE OFFICE WITH NO WALLS: Ok, apart from the obviously essential 4 that are required for a ‘normal’ job in a ‘normal’ office (sorry Craig, what you have created for what you do doesn’t fall into the realms of normal), now that we’ve done our New Year Office Blitz, we have eradicated all the little walls of china that had been created with filing cabinets, bookcases and the like and created instead this air of space, flow and clutter free environment. Not to mention the cleaning that happened and made each of us feel quite nauseated at the filth we’d happily breathed in 38+ hours each week, wondering why so many of us were getting sick and having uper respiratory issues – derr! We took into account what works for each of us and all wishes were able to be accommodated – wow! Where to start was too easy – I flipped the post out to everyone via email and the seed sprouted forth rather rapidly as everyone was totally fed up with the state of their environment. We then canvassed what people didn’t want and addressed those with temperature issues first – the front of the building is 4 degrees warmer than the back, so the frogs all got to move forward and those of us with internal combustion issues have moved back, but EVERYONE still has a clear view out onto the streetscape and park beyond – that was essential. We more or less focussed our energies on what we DID have control over and created a very optimal workspace on a shoestring budget using what we already had, but in different layouts. Craig, you’re a legend man – thanks for kicking off 2010 to be our best yet at work.
Nice Craig..Creating a work space(planning) makes it all.
Planning and proper execution of what planned produces the desired output..
Check the iPhone app Pocket Coach that perfectly matches these all..
http://www.itunes.com/apps/pocketcoach
Really great post..
A well planned work always produces the desired outcome..
check out the app Pocket Coach that perfectly matches all these
http://www.itunes.com/apps/pocketcoach