Feng Shui Office Tips
When Disney went Feng Shui
Even Mickey Mouse is channeling his chi. Before Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005, execs hired a local Feng Shui master. He advised shifting the angle of the theme park's front gate by 12 degree to ensure a better flow of energy and maximim profitability. The five elements were carefully incorporated throuout the park - a projection of a rolling fire was used in one restaurant, for example, and large boulders were placed throughout to 'stabilize' the chi.
Disney even picked what it was told was a lucky day, Sept. 12, for the opening.
Offices
The earliest adopters of Feng Shui in the West were hospitals, and businesses have been quick to follow. Hospitals were among the first to recognize the benefit of applying Feng Shui to hallways. In the past, hospital corridors were long, narrow and straight. Feng Shui experts say this makes energy accelerate unnaturally, which causes stress. Now many hospitals - and offices - break up the straight lines by widening hallways and placing plants and paintings to create a more soothing energy.
Chinese artwork is helpful to an office's chi and a positive atmosphere. I used to have a Guan Gong sculpture in my office and I really felt protected. Even people who might not believe in this kind of energy will like the art of the sculptures or treasure bowls.
However, many business people, including Donald Trump, Virgin Atlantic Airways founder Sir Richard Branson and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, say they use Feng Shui in some form or another. In the past, they have used consultants for advice on everything from door placement to the use of aquariums (which bring water energy to the office environment).
Feng Shui for your office
Can't realistically lay down a bagua map over your cramped office? First, clear the clutter, then start using Feng Shui in small ways. The most important way to bring good Feng Shui to your office is to face the entrance. Not possible? Hang a mirror so you can see who's approaching (which is also helpful for practical reasons), Also put something red (sweater, tape) on the back of your chair to stop chi from hitting you in the back. Next, add some elements to counteract the metal chi filling the office: plants (wood) and fountains (water) or even a pleasant picture of a waterfall helps achieve this - of course, so would setting fire to the desk, but isn't really recommended. Finally, fluorescent ligthing is bad for Feng Shui. Either replace the fluorescent tubes with full-spectrum bulbs (also known as 'grow lights') or bring in a table or floor lamp that uses incandesent bulbs.
Our office Feng Shui tips will help you create a vibrant and successful energy in your office space. No matter your office is an home office, a corner office or a small cubile, Feng Shui can bring the desired energy when you know how to apply it.
Since we tend to spend many hours in the office, be mindful to use health, as well as productivity Feng Shui tips. Next, look into Feng Shui tips for success and recognition, as you sure deserve it. Explore our office Feng Shui tips below and see which ones can easily implement in your office.
Answer some basic Feng Shui questions, such as, for example:
- What is happening behind your back?
- What do you first see as you came in?
- What is happening in the South bagua area of your space?
Best Feng Shui advice to keep in mind is to always be aware of the quality of the air in your office and do your best to improve it. Research shows that indoor pollution is much worse than the outdoor one.
Is there a Feng Shui solution?
Yes, there is! The best Feng Shui solution is to decorate your office with indoor pants. Below is a list of top ten air-Purifying plants, as defined by NASA research in the early 1980s.
Bring them to your home, bring them to your office, and let them do what they do best - clear the air and fill it with oxygen!
Scientific Name:
Chrysalidocarpus Lutescens
Removes:
- All tested indoor air toxins.
Benefits:
- Very popular and easy to care for plant.
- Leaves have a gracious flow that will soften the energy of any home or office space.
Scientific Name:
Rhapis Excelsa
Removes:
- Most indoor pollutants.
Benefits:
- One of the best plants to improve the indoor air quality.
- Very popular and easy to care for.
Scientific Name:
Chamaedorea Seifrizii
Removes:
- Benzene
- Trichloroethylene
- Formaldehyde
Benefits:
- Adds a peaceful, tropical feeling to any environment.
- Most resistant to insect infestation.
Scientific Name:
Ficus Robusta
Removes:
- Most pollutants, especially formaldehyde.
Benefits:
- Will survive in dim light and tolerate cool temperatures.
- Excellent ability to remove toxins from any indoor environment.
Scientific Name:
Dracaena Deremensis Janet Craig
Removes:
- Most pollutants, especially trichloroethylene.
Benefits:
- Attractive plant, easy to grow in very little light.
- Best in Dracaenas family for removing home or office chemical toxins.
Scientific Name:
Hedera Helix
Removes:
- Most pollutants, especially formaldehyde.
Benefits:
- Another hardy, very popular plant, often used in public spaces.
- Easy to grow, very adaptable, except for high temperatures.
Scientific Name:
Phoenix Roebelenii
Removes:
- Most pollutants, especially xylene.
Benefits:
- A slow grower that can reach a height of about 5 to 6 feet.
- Can tolerate low levels of light.
Scientific Name:
Ficus Macleilandii "Alii"
Removes:
- Most pollutants, especially formaldehyde.
Benefits:
- Easier to care for than the Ficus Benjamina, can loose some leaves while adjusting to a new space.
- There are 3 types of Ficus Alii: the standard tree, the bush and the braids (several entwined trunks.)
Scientific Name:
Nephrolepis Exaltata "Bostoniensis"
Removes:
- Most pollutants, especially formaldehyde.
Benefits:
- Beautiful and lush, a favorite for any home or office.
- It does require attention in order to thrive.
Scientific Name:
Spathiphyllum sp.
Removes:
- Alcohols and acetone.
- Trichloroethylene.
- Benzene and Formaldehyde.
Benefits:
- Beautiful plant with gentle white flowers, easy to care for.
- Strong and peaceful energy.
How to Feng Shui your Home Office
Working from a home office presents two major challenges:
- Separating business and home life,
- Lack of stimulating social (business-related) interaction.
At the same time, working from home brings numerous benefits to one's lifestyle, and Feng Shui can help you make the best of it. If this is the path you've chosen for yourself, I would like to help you create a successful home office by sharing some basic Feng Shui office tips.
An important office Feng Shui guideline is to have your home office as far from your bedroom as possible.
If the layout of your house allows, having a separate entry to your home office is ideal. If this is not feasible, be sure to create as much division as possible between your office area and your bedroom; this is the basis of good home office Feng Shui.
Plan your home office with your success, well-being and productivity in mind.
Think of specific images, Feng Shui colors, meaningful career memorabilia and appropriate decor items that make you feel successful, appreciated, and happy. Since you are working from home, feel free to fully express your creativity in decorating your office. Depending on your chosen field, you need to make sure your home office reflects the energy you want to project into the world.
Be mindful of the quality of air and the quality of light (natural and artificial) in your home office, as these are two of the good Feng Shui must-haves.
If your brain is starving for oxygen and your body does not get enough natural light, you will not enjoy being in your home office no matter how much you love your job. Consider investing in full-spectrum lights and do bring at least a couple of air-purifying plants into your home office.
Position your desk in the so-called Feng Shui commanding position to attract stronger and more successful energies to your work area.
A Feng Shui commanding position means you do not have your back to the door; your desk is positioned further from the door and not in line with it. Be also mindful of not facing a wall while working at your desk. If you have to face the wall, use Feng Shui to make the wall "disappear" with smart use of art.
Feng Shui-wise, there are several important areas in your home office that need to be treated right.
- South area (Fame and Reputation), or, a more exact translation, your "Light in the World." Its Feng Shui energy is Fire, so be mindful about nor having color blue, big mirrors, fountains or images of water in this area, as Water element puts down the Fire energy.
- North area (Career or Path in Life). The Feng Shui element here is Water, so this is the Feng Shui area for items representing water, as well as Metal (Metal creates Water in the Feng Shui 5 elements cycle.) Without making it sound too complicated, you can place inspiring images related to your career in black or white frame colors in the North area of your home office.
- Southeast area (Prosperity and Abundance). Bring images or items that speak to you of money and abundance. The Feng Shui element here is Wood, so you need to avoid Fire images, as well as too much Metal.
Use Feng Shui to clutter clear and organize your home office. Schedule as many clutter clearing sessions as needed until there are no hidden (or obvious!) cluttered spots in your office.
As clutter drains your energy and dampens your best intentions, you need to create a clear system, and not let clutter ruin your health and your business. Mark a Feng Shui clutter clearing day on your calendar and you will be surprised how much better, more enthusiastic and energetic you feel the next day. That is, provided that you have actually dealt with the clutter, rather than just contemplated it!
These are just a few of the basic Feng Shui priorities to guarantee a high level of energy in your home office. Once you have dealt with the energy of your office, be sure your bedroom energy is well taken care of, too.
Everything is connected on a subtle Feng Shui energy level and you do not want to leave anything out in your quest for a successful home-based business!
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