Work Got You Down? Spice Up Your Space!

The monotonous repetition and visual sameness found in the common office space could suck the creativity out of Picasso. The environment you inhabit has a powerful affect on the way you think and feel. If everything around you looks the same, your mind will eventually grow numb. Likewise, if you do the same exact thing in the same exact way at the same exact location every day, you may very well think the same exact thoughts over and over again. 

Your creativity relies heavily on your attitude, and your attitude relies on your enthusiasm, motivation, and positivity. Trying to maintain a positive attitude in a monotonous business environment can be tough. And if your creativity is stifled because your attitude sucks, your effective productivity rate will plunge as well. 

So what can you do to spark your business-minded creativity at the office? I love to play around with innovative ways of approaching life at work. Not everyone gets a chance to escape the nine-to-five office space environment, but that doesn’t mean they can’t escape the monotony by exploiting their creative edge within it. 

Test out these ten business creativity tips to help you get your mind on track: 

1. Be a Visitor in Your Own Office
Sit in the guest chair on the opposite side of your desk for an hour or so. It will give you a fresh visual perspective on the same old environment. If you don’t have a guest chair or your own office, roll your work chair to a new location and bring your laptop and supplies with you. Even the slightest change in your physical setting can stimulate your senses and your creativity. Don’t be afraid to switch locations a few times a day. It may sound strange, but it makes a world of difference. 

2. Rotate Your Artwork and Photographs
First things first, buy some artwork you like. Also, frame a few photographs of the important people in your life and place them throughout your personal office space. Rotate the wall art from wall-to-wall every two weeks. Do the same with the photos. Occasionally swap out the artwork and photos for new ones. You could even exchange them with others you already have at your house. 

7 readers liked this story.
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I want to try all of these! Although I tired decorating my desk with pictures of me traveling etc and it just made me depressed. I'd rather be traveling than working.
11.23.2009
Harriet M
I just realized I sit in the exact same spot for every meeting. Time to change that!
This is just another reminder that my work area is woefully bare. I have GOT to put up some artwork around my desk. I like the idea of brainstorming once a day, too - that would definitely come in handy in my job.
I like the idea of rotating the pictures/decorations in your work area. Rearranging things always gives spaces a new, refreshing feel.
11.23.2009
Rebecca Brown
Be a visitor in your own office is a great suggestion. The perspective from the visitor chair in my office is kind of bleak and chaotic. (Sorry, guys!)
It feels good to write.

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