New email
Subject : How our environment impacts productivity
Hi JP,
I can't believe it's November already and I'll be home in 3 weeks
I wanted to share a little bit about our environment and how it impacts our productivity and focus. Last week, I didn't get any work done. I did the bare minimum (check-ins etc.) but I found it really hard to concentrate in the villa because I was unsettle there, waiting to move out.
Even though I have moved into a smaller place, that's louder, I'm feeling productive and I'm actually getting more than the bare minimum done. This is because I'm settled in the guesthouse even if it's not as 'nice' as the villa.
I was thinking about people that had adapted to working from home (or similarly those who had been WFH and have since had to go back to the office)...
How has this impacted your routine?
Do you feel more or less stressed?
Do you feel pushed for time?
Are you getting distracted?
How does your environment impact your eating habits?
How does your environment impact your exercise habits?
Our environment and how it's set up will either help or hinder our focus and productivity. Things to consider:
- Noise pollution: Are you distracted by noise? People talking, cars beeping, music etc? I work with earphones in most of the time and put on a 'Deep concentration playlist'
- Sleep/Energy: Are you sleeping at night? Is the environment you're sleeping in the same environment you're working in the next morning? Sometimes it can be hard to switch off 'work mode' if you're working from the same room you're sleeping in. Try to make a definite separation of the two e.g. when work is finished, hide the laptop, light some candles in the eve and try to make it your 'sanctuary' rather than your office
- Cleanliness and Tidy-ness: I simply CANNOT work if the perimeter around me is a mess. CLEAN and TIDY your room, fold things, wipe your desk with a cloth, remove cups/mugs from your desk (room or office). This helps create 'space' in both your room and your mind so you can focus
- Lighting and temperature: something you might not think of but dark (or too bright) or harsh lights can affect our brain and even lead to headaches. If you're sitting in your room or office in a jacket trying to work...this will also impact how much work you get done because your body isn't at a comfortable temperature
- Visual stimulation and pleasant surroundings: If you're stuck at your desk facing a white or grey concrete wall, with a lack of windows and/or a lack of access to green space around you (park etc.) this can also impact productivity and motivation. At the very least, try to put a vision board or some photos you love on your wall or even some positive quotes on nice coloured paper
I could go on and on but those are just a few things you can look at and make some adjustments to. You can then assess over the week if you're noticing a difference in how you're working - quality, time management, concentration and focus!
That's it for now! I hope you have a lovely weekend
Becca.