Here in Britain, the average person will work 3,507 days over their lifetime including 204 days of overtime. How many of you are thinking “it feels like a lot more than that to me”? That’s probably why a recent poll found that British people think about quitting their job around 16 times a year!
“Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life”
This saying rings true for the lucky few who are following their passion. And although working for yourself is on the rise, the majority have a saying of their own.
“If work was fun it wouldn’t be called work”
Whichever camp you may reside in, here are some ways to enjoy those working hours a little more.
Let nature in
Raise your blinds and start searching for the perfect types of plants to accent your office décor (as well as improve your air quality). Employees in working environments with lots of natural light and greenery are more likely to remain healthy and even reduces the number of sick days they take. This is especially important in the current year. So many of us are cooped up in the office and race home frantically and competitively so that they can be cooped up at home too. Often to spend quality time with Apple, Google, Samsung and any other company vying for our attention. Staying indoors may have something to do with the typical British weather but can also be seen throughout the rest of the world! Letting in more of the outside environment can give us that biological edge.
Community spaces
Top companies are now realising how much their employees value a sense of community at work. Fostering the ability to connect to one another can encourage a sense of belonging and thus happier in their surroundings. Central gathering spaces could be kitchens, a garden area, a coffee bar and if you really want to get creative a recent study suggests that collaborative video games can increase team bonding and productivity. Beats trust exercises and forced over sharing…
Individual spaces
Though fostering community is important, it must also be balanced with environments which promote focus. You don’t have to be an introverted recluse with a hint of ‘snowflake empath’ to need some time away from others (uh… talking about a friend). Most of us need that quality ‘me’ time to really tap into our respective ‘zones’. Solo spaces can be easily improved with softer lighting provided by desk lamps, soft furnishings or interesting, tactile materials to help with comfort levels.
Seek inspiration
Take a look around and be mindful of how other buildings and environments affect you in the moment. When we go to a nice restaurant, which design cues make you more relaxed? Does the grandeur of the museum give you goose-bumps? Do minimalist spaces help to give you a clear head? These different spaces all have a unique design to evoke a specific feeling or display a characteristic. Take inspiration from your surroundings to perfect the type of space you want your office to be.
