A workspace design speaks to how one organizes and assembles a space to optimize individual and collective performance, productivity and safety.
Productivity is the engine and oil of a business whether you in a 9-5, social enterprise or you run your company. The structure and setting of your workspace could increase your output and productivity if maximized well. This has to do with the location, furniture layout, ease of use, the lightening, the overall ambience of the space, and many other factors.

There are tons of ways to boost your productivity level and turn your workspace to a place where you get the job done. Some tips to achieve this are itemized below.

1. Give a personal touch:
Adding your personal touch to your space increases the emotional connection to executing your work while in the space. This needs to be done in moderation so it doesn’t create clutter.
Items which appeal to your nature can be put at sight to inspire your productivity. This can be a painting or a picture hung on the wall, a boosting plant, and a desktop calendar which helps you stay on track of your schedule and task for the week.
“I am a sucker for a neatly arranged table housing my laptop, my notepad/planner, with my cup of coffee in sight while I carry out my task for the day,” Esther said.
This still boils down to your personality- it’s your very own, unique signature expressed through your space that helps you be more successful in achieving that desired goal.

2. The atmosphere outweighs the layout:
Although the physical layout of your workspace is important, what drives productivity among employees is rather more intangible. This has to do with the atmosphere cultivated, and the buy-in of employees to the overall mission and goal of the organization which is integral in individuals playing their part to achieving those set goals and objectives.
An office is more than its building, it’s about the structure, policies, values and the people. The atmosphere, development and reward process within an organization influences productivity of employees and the entire organization. This however doesn’t reduce the essence of flexible workspaces to promote community and productivity.

3. Go Green:
Assorted plants don’t just serve pretty for social media photos, they add great value to office spaces. It makes spaces feel more alive and it brings a bit of nature into the workspace. It produces cleaner air within the office space while motivating a sense of energy and creativity to employees. Studies have shown the benefits of more greenery offices, further commending them for joining the fight against climate change in their own little way.

4. Have a place for everything:
In this era of digitalization, smartphones, tablets and other gadgets are effective to get organized, efficient and productive, but they can also be a source of distraction and time wasting. To curtail this, find a home for all gadgets and leave them there.
With so much screen time, especially since the pandemic, everything is calling for your attention. There needs to be an intentional way to avoid these distractions, keep them in a place while you get work done so you don’t get sidelined by constant streams of notifications.

5. Keep it clean:
Working out of a messy space is distraction that impedes productivity. This further elaborates tip 4- return things to their homes after use. This helps keep your space tidy. Ensure to throw out unnecessary items or clutter around your space.
A CEO recommended treating your work desk like a new document or email you are about to draft. A blank document allows you to focus while a document filled with random words and numbers will make you struggle to concentrate. Same thing goes for a messy workspace.
This also relates to organizing each day with a to-do list so as to effectively manage time and achieve key tasks for that day or week. This greatly improves and increases your productivity.