How many times have you woken up thinking today I’m going to be super productive, only to find yourself on the couch in the late afternoon wondering what even happened for the past eight hours? Yeah. Turns out, you can blame someone besides yourself. Or something, rather—your workspace.
Where you work affects your mood, your health, and your ability to create. So we’re bringing you nine tips to give your workspace a makeover.
Also included are words of workdom from two Gumroad creators: Hailey Devine of video production agency Haugen Creative and Phil McAndrew, illustrator and comic artist.
1. SIT UP
Sitting is the new smoking. We’ve all heard that by now. An improperly set up desk is no joke. Think pinched nerves, wrist weakness, chronic back pain. Even repetitive strain injury (RSI), which turns out is a Thing. And not a good one. It’s mostly about the chair. Your throne should be adorned with arm rests, cushions, wheels, and an adjustable seat and back. Oh - and don’t forget to support your lumbar. None of that matters if you’re a super sloucher. So buy a Lumo Lift or just build your own standing desk. And it’s not just about your body. Follow some specific rules about keyboard and mouse closeness, eye levels, and desk height, and you’ll find the perfect set up.
2. SPLIT UP
Create a comfy corner for thinking and reading and a designated spot for coffee and snack breaks. Assigning certain areas of your space for different types of tasks can help you get in the zone faster.
“I had a really nice space in the house I was renting last year—a really comfortable little room full of my books and piles of drawings. I felt at home in that room. It was easy to lose track of time and stay up all night drawing and painting.” - Phil
3. CLEAN UP
Playing trash can basketball is not just a time waster. Removing real clutter removes brain clutter. So keep your tchotchkes to a minimum and save a couple minutes of tidy time for the end of each day.
4. GREEN UP
Science has definitively proven that plants in your workspace remove stress, help with fatigue, and even lower the amount of sick days taken. Note: fake sick days are unaffected.
5. CHEER UP
Don’t want to blow a cool $800 on a workspace feng shui consultant? There are detailed guides to help you set up your space for positive energy, whether you’re looking for fame, fortune, or friendship.
6. STOCK UP
Don’t waste time wandering around looking for that notebook or those stamps or that nice pen that writes really smoothly that you think your left in your hoodie pocket. Have all the tools you need in reaching distance. Think about what you need and keep it handy.
“As long as I somehow have access to a scanner, I can usually make do with just a desk and a light. Having a light table or light box is ideal, but I can get by without if I have to. My laptop, drawing tablet, ink and paints come along with me everywhere.” - Phil
7. STYLE UP
Design with your personality in mind. Introverts will prefer a quiet, secluded space. Extroverts will prefer a more bustling environment with a sense of high energy and opportunities for socialization. As you customize the style of your space, think about things like background music and movement—some people find that some bustle stimulates the brain and others need complete library silence.
“For editing, I enjoy being in hermit-like solitude. When I’m in ‘the zone’ and feel like I’m on a roll with an edit, I don’t like to be bothered” - Hailey
“If I’m writing, I like being out in a coffee shop or a bar. If I’m painting, I need solitude. I need a comfortable, private space where I can settle in and work for long chunks of time.” - Phil
8. LIGHT UP
Choose a room that has lots of natural light—another scientifically proven way to feel better and work better. If the sun don’t shine where you work, it’s possible to create a good artificial lighting setup.
“These days, my workspace is at home. I can appreciate a clean simple space and natural light. Granted, I put my workspace in the room with the most windows in our home!” - Hailey
9. LIVE UP
…to your goals. Visual cues to remind you of the big picture and purpose can be subtle hints to help you avoid getting lost in the weeds. A list of goals, a personal mission statement, vision board, whatever keeps you focused on the Why.
“I am a work-at-home-mom, so there is usually a cute little distraction running around and tugging at my ankles. I feel very comfortable and inspired in my space. I love that I can see blue skies and children playing outside while I edit.” - Hailey
There you have it. Optimize your office! Revamp your room! Spruce your space! Productivity will follow. If things still don’t get done, well, that’s on you.
Haugen Creative is sharing their 10+ years of experience in a videography workshop series. Pick their brains for technique, equipment, pricing, and marketing knowledge. Get the skills and get the edge.
Speaking of 10 years, Phil McAndrews’s SNAKE MOSQUITO TURTLE CACTUS packs a decade of comics, drawings, sketches, and behind the scenes photos in one thick ebook. You can also get his book, Crying in Front of Your Dog and Other Stories, from Grimalkin Press.