professional

Feng Shui is about manipulating how energy flows through your space. By manipulating this energy you can reinvent your space. Using Feng Shui in the office is all about organizing in a way that makes you feel energized, focused, productive, and powerful. Without making big changes you can retake control. So use these Feng Shui steps to harness your offices' chi for your success.

Step 1: Declutter Your Desk

getty images

The first thing you need to do for any Feng Shui is to declutter. If you want to manipulate your space's energy you can't have anything blocking or clogging it up. There's a mentality that if you have everything on the surface you'll find it easier but it really distracts you and slows you down. Cluttered desk = cluttered mind so take everything off the surface and organize it out of your sightline.

Step 2: Find Your Power Position

getty images

A principle of Feng Shui is that your chair should always see the door. It makes sense why that's the command position, because you have heightened awareness of your surroundings. This isn't typically possible for a cubicle so make your space your own by creating a barrier. You don't want to be face to face with anyone.

Step 3: Consult the Bagua

angie cho

A bagua is an energy map that will help you organize your space by bringing the power of intention. There are two different styles so pick which one is best for you. It's all about inviting energy into specific areas that you want to focus on in your life; ie. wealth, family, creativity etc. To use the bagua make a simple map of your space then break it up into 9 equal sections. You then place significant objects in the corresponding area. A plant can invite in wealth, a photo of a loved one can help your relationship, and it's all about exploring what is important to you. You can do this over your entire office, or on your desk.

Step 4: Bring Nature into Your Space

getty images

Plants, running water, and elementals are a crucial part of Feng Shui. They invite life into your space and living plants help the chi flow around while also filtering out air pollutants. If you don't think your office could sustain a plant check out this fantastic list of options. Water can be tricky and if you can't have a fountain consider artwork that is H2O inspired.

Step 5: Make Sure There's Balance

getty images

Balance is key so make sure that everything is in harmony with each other. To do this you should think about all different kinds of balance. The forces of yin and yang can be seen as more than darkness vs. the light and are often equated with feminine and masculine energy. The elementals wood, earth, metal, fire, and water should also be balanced in your office. Most offices start out full of fire and metal, namely the lights and your computer or filing cabinets. To balance you need to bring in elements of wood, earth, and water for a calming and focusing effect. Plants work wonders. Earth and water colors or artwork are great substitutes for real nature. Remember it's your office, so do whatever feels right to you.

If you follow these 5 simple steps you are sure to increase the energy flow of your office, bringing in positivity and harmony. This can help you stay focused, energized, and inspired in an otherwise stifling environment. Use these tools to help you achieve your optimal Feng Shui so that you can achieve all the success you deserve.

PayPath
Follow Us on
Shapr

Sometimes it feels like it's impossible to meet new people and make real connections. Everyone is busy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life and where are you supposed to meet people anyway? In college, you could meet in classes and connect through mutual interests or assignments. But once you've entered into the workplace, that all seems to change and become much more difficult. There's a new free app called Shapr that recognized this problem and attempted to fix it, or at least make it much easier to network.

Shapr is kind of like a mashup between a dating app and LinkedIn. Once you've signed up for the app and filled out your profile, it suggests people in your area based on your interests, location and professional experience. Just like Tinder or Bumble, you swipe (anonymously) and will be notified of a match when the algorithm matches your shared interests, but rather than a romantic match you'll meet your professional match. According to their site, some of the top things people are seeking through networking is ideas and inspiration, funding, potential investment, mentorship, new talent, freelance projects, and meeting new friends.

Shapr

Rather than continuing the fruitless attempt at making virtual "connections," the Shapr app helps to match you with people who have similar values and goals. With this app, you can be matched with 10-15 new people a day and meet up in person to talk about your next big idea or even collaborate on a project together. The Shapr blog lists success stories from people finding new jobs to helping people chase their passions and overcome their fears. Shapr is quickly becoming an app that's not only important for networking but also an excellent resource for people of all ages and at all experience levels.

Shapr

According to their site, "Networking should be a joyful experience, because It's about meeting new people. It's not just a trick to generate more sales or find some humdrum job – we see it as a lifestyle. Connecting regularly with inspiring individuals is the key to a more meaningful, fulfilling, healthy existence. And that's why we made an app."

Shapr

Perhaps you're looking for friends with shared interests, a mentor in your chosen field, or someone to collaborate with, but no matter the reason, Shapr is sure to have someone (or many) for you to connect with. And in this busy world that may be just what you need.

There are three types of people in this world: those who lay back, those who achieve, and those who overachieve. If you find yourself part of the first variety, you might be completely content with your laziness, or you might be wondering what is separating you from the kinds of people that achieve their dreams and more.

The problem comes when you believe work ethic to be an unchangeable given, that you are forever destined to be on the local train instead of the express. But a few changes of mind can help shine a new light on your productivity.

The enemy of productivity is distraction. And in our age of stimuli-overdrive, distraction is an easy rabbit hole into which to plunge. But you're one Tasty video away from complete detachment. Distraction is a double-edged sword. In one sense, it gives us a mental break from whatever task we're doing, and in another sense, makes it even harder to refocus. But as humans, we sabotage ourselves by even allowing ourselves the option of getting distracted.

When you add up the 30-second bursts you spend speed-scrolling in a moment of creative distress, it can amount to hours in your day. That's why, when you have a task to do, it will take you less time to do it in one shot then to break it up into a million little pieces. Turn your Internet off. Install parental controls on yourself. Set a timer, and give yourself a reward for getting through your assignment within the parameters. Eliminating distraction requires discipline.

Discipline is the next aspect that underachievers lack. But this time, you won't be motivated by good or bad grades. You will, however, be motivated by a paycheck and an overall feeling of value. Discipline is the ability to rein in your desire to do something else, and to find pleasure in the challenge of staying on task. When we're alone, however, this can be difficult to keep accounts on. That's why it's often useful to tell others about your goals, to add another level of accountability. Pressure is always a good thing.

The last aspect that separates the underachievers from the overachievers is their cognizance of what others are doing. While it's an inherent human quality to compare oneself to others, it's unproductive and can cloud your individual goals. Just because everyone else is starting a business doesn't mean that you have to, or that that's even the right path for you. If you dwell too much on what others are doing (via social media, or what have you), then it's often more of a distraction and depressant than it is a motivator.

The road to becoming an achiever or overachiever is a long one, but one that can be accomplished with a lot of effort, motivation, and drive. So put those blinders on and go!

An important step in advertising your services, growing your brand or business or sharing your stories is creating a website that showcases your talent. A striking, beautiful website will catch the eyes of readers and potential customers and draw them to what you have to offer. Website creation in 2017 involves less work for better results than ever before. Which website builder is the best for you?

Keep readingShow less