Several times recently I have observed the work areas of other people. Some are in a cramped and cluttered cubicle, one friend works on a board over stacked concrete blocks under the stairway in his house, another uses a shelf inside a closet, and another has found his dedicated work space eliminated because of his growing need for storage for his online business – so he just grabs his computer and stands wherever he can. I often see at-home offices that are combinations of cobwebs, tangled wires and cords, bare walls, dirty carpets, and half-filled coffee cups. I see others who have no office but go hang out at Starbucks, surrounded by people coming and going, kids crying and trucks passing by.
Personally, I could not do any valuable work in those conditions. If we consider our “work” doing the minimum to get a paycheck, then I suppose any conditions will do. If we’re just cranking something out and the quality is not a big issue, then doing it hit and miss in the middle of chaos and disruption is probably sufficient. If your work uses only your left brain – you’re just putting pieces together, or counting widgets, or assembling boxes – then I suppose the conditions are not as important.
But if we consider our “work” our art, the release of the very best that we have to offer the world, then I think the setting is of maximum importance. Creativity, brilliance, mastery, talent, virtuosity, and genius are not likely to be engaged if our back is cramped and a co-worker just bounced a paper airplane off the side of our head.
I consider my working area a sacred space. (I resist even calling it my office because of the connotation of hard work, bright lights and pressure.)
Here are some dictionary definitions of “sacred”
- reverently dedicated to some person, purpose, or object
- highly valued and important
- regarded with reverence
- secured against violation, infringement, etc.
- entitled to reverence and respect
That’s where I’m likely to do my best art. If it’s distilling the wisdom of the ages into a new book to give hope to people today, or coaching someone, or scrolling through the tons of questions coming in to then deliver a weekly podcast, or making comments on Facebook, or even just working with my accountant on understanding the flow of money that has been entrusted to me, I want the peace of my sacred space to set the tone.
I had trusted advisors help me design my work space – the colors, the lighting and the sounds – because I knew it would be the place I would either create mediocrity or excellence.
So what about you? Does your work space impact your “art” or are you immune to your surroundings? How have you designed the space that nurtures the release of the very best that God has put in you to share with the world?
I have a dedicated space for work and a dedicated space for prayer and Bible study. It’s only because I use a computer with one and not with the other. I have found having dedicated spaces makes a big difference in concentration levels, too.
Someone in college laughed at me when I said I wanted to work with a room with a window over salary. I think they never worked in a small, cramped windowless room before. I had. It was suffocating for me! Both places I use have large windows.
Eva,
Oh I understand that completely. I can’t imagine “working” without being able to see out and being 30 feet from my toes touching grass.
I have a nice sized office for my work, but it’s a bit cluttered. What type of advisor did you hire to help design your workspace? I definitely need that. Thanks!
Steve,
I worked with an interior designer on color, lighting, carpets, and furniture. Then I had a fung shui expert help me with layout – positioning for my work, entrance of guests, etc. Love what I ended up with.
In addition to avoiding the word “office”, we can change from an “alarm clock” to a “greet the glorious new day filled with untold opportunity clock.”
I love your idea, Travis! “Opportunity Clock” sounds great!
Thank you, and please have a Wonderful Week.
When I sold my accounting business and went from offices with employees to working from home alone, I felt lost, especially since I’d always had staff to do many things – like filing! I hired a professional organizer who helped me turn my ‘sacred space’ into a welcoming and organized office. I still have someone come in once in awhile to do the filing for me!
Once I finally decided to dedicate one room in our home for my office, it made all the difference! I had so much fun personalizing it so that it was a place of inspiration and an everyday reminder of what I am called to do and be. Dan, I love the use of the word “sacred”. A beautiful way to describe how we choose to give of our gifts and talents.
I love my home office space, when I recently moved, my office was out of sort for 2-3 weeks having all the custom cabinets removed and configured to fit the new space. I never realized how important this space had become as my personal daily sanctuary. For me it is a place of serenity, new ideas, reflecting on past successes and getting centered on day to day life.
I had two jobs for a while, punching the clock to make someone else rich. When I finally let go of my morning job, I transformed one of the rooms in the back of my house into a sacred space, somewhere I can get things done and get my companies going. I have gotten more things accomplished and checked off the list in two weeks than I have done in a year, thanks to having a space dedicated for these tasks.
I recently changed jobs and went from an office to a cubicle of sorts. However, the former office was more like a dungeon as the walls were a drab gray, not exterior windows, and horrible acoustics. The new “cube” has one “wall” that faces north and is nothing but glass letting natural light pour in all day. I am finding I don’t have the afternoon “lazies” any longer now that I’m getting sunlight on a regular basis. I must say it’s a welcome change!
Thanks Dan! Your article inspired me to create some new space in my sacred creating space and do more walking meetings outside!
Artist James Turrell said that his Quaker grandmother took him to meetings and told him to “Greet the light!” He has spent his lifetime working with light, rather than paint or marble or clay, as the medium of his artistic expression. I like Travis Hayes comment about renaming the alarm clock! Wouldn’t it be great to have one that gently but happily tells us to “Greet the light!”