You’ve probably heard about how Feng Shui can create harmony and balance in your home, but can it improve your performance at work too? While the ancient Chinese philosophers who developed the practice of Feng Shui thousands of years ago didn’t have the average corporate employee in mind, the concepts of yin and yang and the flow of positive energy can be applied to any environment.

Today companies hire Feng Shui experts for architectural design, interior design, and landscaping. If you’re lucky enough to work for such a company, you may already be reaping the benefits of Feng Shui. But what if you’re stuck working in an old, dark building that hasn’t been updated in twenty years? Don’t worry because in both scenarios, what’s most important is your own personal work space. And that’s usually a place you can improve.

The principles of Feng Shui can be applied to work. Ask yourself the following questions about your office or work space. If the answer to any of them is “no”, find a way to fix it.

1.Is it clean?

2.Is it uncluttered?

3.Is it filled with things you enjoy?

4.Is there enough light or better yet, natural light?

5.Is it welcoming to visitors?

Keeping your office clean and uncluttered makes concentration easier. If you have an unobstructed path in and out of your office for yourself and for your visitors, energy will flow in and out easily—that includes new ideas. If you fill your space with things you love (photos, favorite coffee mug, motivational sayings, etc), your time working will be more pleasurable. If you’re lucky enough to have natural light through a window, that’s energizing. If you don’t, make sure you do have enough light and perhaps bring in your own desk lamp instead of relying on fluorescent lighting all day. Plants naturally take out bad carbon dioxide and replace it with oxygen.

Lastly, make sure you move your own energy around during the day by getting up to stretch, going outside, walking around or visiting colleagues.

For more information about design and Feng Shui, visitwww.manobluedesign.comor email Marie Burgos at: marie@manobludesign.com