Zen Your Office

Making your office space "Zen" is more than simply redecorating. It's about creating a space that is comfortable, smooth and productive while decreasing distraction. Whether your office is a cubicle or large private office, inherited or your own personal creation, it's your space, and your productivity is directly related your comfort level.

What is Zen?

The definition of Zen according to Yourdictionary.com is: "a variety of Buddhism, now practiced especially in Japan, Vietnam, and Korea, seeking to attain an intuitive illumination of mind and spirit through meditation, especially on paradoxes."

Today the term is associated with simplicity, tied to meditation and being aware of your world.

Achieving Zen sounds like some "way-out-there hippie" term for something perhaps none of us can master: simplicity. Pulling that concept into your office space can be similar to the impossible dream. If you keep in mind the key phrase: Keep it Simple, and focus on what you have, not what you don't have, you'll be able to simplify your work space.

6 Quick Steps to Zen Your Office

If Zen is about being simple and conscious of your surroundings, then zenning your office is not about redecorating, but about taking what you have and simplifying your surroundings. Here are six quick steps to Zen Your Office:

1) Declutter Your Desk

Keep your desk completely clear. Move papers and put them in one universal in-box. Don't work from piles. Concentrate on conquering one in-box, rather than multiple piles, which send the mental signal that you have multiple undone projects.

2) The One-Way In-Box

Think of your in-box as a one way street. Papers can go in, but once removed, they can't go back. Deal with it and then delegate each document to another place. Those other places can include: trash, file, bill, do immediately, action folder, travel, etc. You know best what categories work for your office, but it's best to limit choices (thus limit stress).

3) Avoid Mountains

Don't let your paperwork pile up. Once the stack starts growing, your stress level increases. Create a simple filing system and don't avoid filing. Five minutes of filing each day impacts your day less than three hours a month. If possible, use a simple alphabetical system for filing.

4) Email Can Be Your Friend

Email can be a quick, zen way of doing business, but if you are constantly interrupted, email is no different than the annoying ring of our telephone. Turn off audio email notifications. Read and respond to email at scheduled times, 2-3 times per day; rather than be distracted by the noise of "You've Got Mail."

5) Limit Desktop Stuff

Stuff is anything from pens, papers, paper clips to framed photos and knick-knacks. The amount of "stuff" on your desk will directly correlate to your stress level. Eliminate the stuff and you'll decrease your distractions and increase your focus.

6) Simple Décor

We've all heard of the KISS method: Keep It Simple, Stupid. Zenning your office is certainly the place to put this into practice. Don't make your surroundings too busy. Pick one space on your wall to showcase a piece of artwork. When you get bored with it or cease to notice it, change it. Go for simple and practical furniture. Skip all the do-dads and knick-knacks and exchange dozens for one or two. Again, when you get bored or stop noticing it, exchange it for something new. Your surroundings should inspire you, not distract your focus.

Keep, Keeping It Zen

Even when you're done, you're never done. It's an ongoing process. There will always be something else you can simplify, eliminate or revise. Don't be afraid to re-edit, re-evaluate, and re-simplify your process. Once a year, go through your filing cabinet and recycle or shred what you don't need. Be open to re-creating your office so that you can reconnect with your simple self and zen your office.