Leading from Home - Spaces

Colleagues,

Today’s email is an adaptation from my Leading from Home video series produced in the first days of the global shutdown in 2020. Although geared towards home, the suggestions are just as critical in our “normal” work space.
 
Day 2: Leading from Home - Spaces
 
Routines create behavioral structures. Spaces create physical structures.
 
Remember that we have three overarching themes:

1. Make intentional decisions
2. Limit distractions and transitions
3. Engage fully (and healthily)

 
Your home office should do several things for you:
 
Signaling Having a dedicated space (individual or shared) creates a physical signal that you are “at work.” Sitting down (or stepping up to your standing desk!) cues your mind to engage in your work. It serves as a notice to others that you are working, and that they need to observe any interruption protocols you have established.
 
Limiting Physical signaling through being in an “office” space is a first step to limiting distractions and interruptions. Close out of all personal applications and browser windows. They have no place in your workspace and undermine your productivity. 

• If you have tabs in a browser that “cannot” be closed, you can group those tabs separately from your professional ones and minimize that collection of tabs. 
• If you have a Mac, you can use the multiple desktops feature to keep personal stuff on a separate personal desktop (that’s what I do).

 
Enhancing The physical layout of your space can make work easier or more difficult. Try and arrange furniture appropriately. Be reflective about inefficiencies or challenges and consider changes to your equipment. 
 
Remember that you can view a video that expands on this content at my YouTube channel here or my website here.
 
Cheers!
 
Frederick