We’ve all heard of optimizing our work spaces to make them as efficient and as comfortable as possible but have you ever considered implementing the art of Feng Shui? It seems like one of those new age artsy fart-sy “energy” scams that really has no basis. For the most part, I’m way too busy during the day to worry about whether or not my 3^rd cup of coffee is placed on the right corner of my desk. Despite my hardened scepticism of the practice, I have recently discovered that Feng Shui actually has rich and deep rooted cultural importance, tracing back to Yangshao and Hongshan cultures. Whether or not, you believe in all the “energy” talk that is ingrained in the art, Feng Shui is, in my modern interpretation, all about efficiency, understanding your environment and positivity.  

The symbolic purpose?
To find correlations between humans and the universe and to block out negative energies.

The realistic benefits?
Feng Shui forces you to think about how your environment influences you and your state of mind. The practice is all about simplification and reducing stress, helping you focus on each task at hand.

The practice is diverse and extremely multi-faceted. There are various schools of thought and belief and the wide library of rules, symbols and cultural references are expansive and detailed. Many established architects and interior decorators take it extremely serious. One of the most famous examples of this is when the main gate at Hong Kong Disneyland was shifted by twelve degrees to accommodate the practice. Donald Trump has also hired Feng Shui specialists to examine and adjust his buildings in order to attract and accommodate foreign business affiliates and investors. Lately, geographers are also using the ancient techniques and methods to help find archaeological and forgotten historical sites.

Here are some quick tips on how you can implement Feng Shui in your own office space:

1. YOUR DESK.
   Position your desk so it is at a diagonal or directly facing your door without being in the direct line (sitting in direct line will put you in the center of rushing chi, which can negatively impact your energy). Facing the door is a command position, where it is thought that you will be able to control positive energy and foresee any obstacles that are coming at you. Never face your back to the door as it will subconsciously feed negative feelings that you are being attacked by coworkers. If you cannot move your desk, fix a mirror in front of you so that you are able to see behind you.
2. YOUR DOOR.
   Many people do not think that their door plays a part in accumulating revenue but Feng Shui specialists believe that your door should open a full 90 degrees in order to welcome wealth and new opportunities.
3. ACCESSORIES.
   This is a very in depth part of Feng Shui as different sections of space are believed to relate to different aspects of your life. Without getting too complicated, think about adding life to your office space in the form of plants, aquariums or tabletop fountains. Plants will stimulate activity and vibrant energy. Bamboo is a popular choice as it is thought to improve business relationships and attracting good fortune. Aquariums and tabletop fountains are believed to promote business growth and career success when placed in the East, North or Southeast corners of the room.
4. LIGHTING.
   Offices in general are known to have horrible fluorescent lighting which is a major contributor to an individual’s mood. Think of the difference in how you feel when it is sunny outside versus cloudy. Quick fix – if you are able to replace the tubes, opt into picking up a full-spectrum one (also called a “grow light”). If you can’t replace the lights, bring in your own supplemental lighting.

In conclusion, if you’re a little bit of a cynic like myself, Feng Shui-ing your office might initially turn you off upon first mention of positive and negative “energy”. But understanding the key goals of practicing the theory actually does prove to be beneficial in terms of optimizing your space, understanding how your office space flows and paying attention to environmental influences that could be distracting, causing stress and blurring your focus. You might not realize how much impact that stack of binders under your desk really has until you remove the clutter and attempt to follow these simple rules.