How to Feng Shui your Office

Feng Shui is an ancient mindfulness practice that can be used not only for self-awareness and manifestation, but for designing interiors as well. It’s rooted in a belief that the placement of furniture and objects in a space can energetically affect the people inhabiting it.

Imagine if someone told you that the location of your desk could affect luck and prosperity in your career… Well, by using both mundane and transcendental Feng Shui adjustments, it can.

Feng Shui Fundamentals

The art and “magic” of Feng Shui comes when the person practicing it feels truly aligned with their intentions. If you were to make an adjustment in your office to call in wealth, for example, without understanding the deeper meaning of why you want said wealth, then you may not see as powerful of results. Say, manifesting a $5 bill versus the $500 you were calling in. More on that later.

What Feng Shui is, and What it is Not

Feng Shui is a mindfulness practice. It is not a religion.

Feng Shui focuses on energetic design principals. It does not follow trends.

Feng Shui is energy work. It is not “woo-woo”.

While the term “energy work” may actually be triggering as mystical for some, it’s actually something you experience every day. For example, the energy of music evokes emotions of joy, excitement, sadness, etc. The energy of nature may result in calm and content feelings. The buzz of a cafe, tranquility of a spa, and peacefulness of a library – these all influence our personal energy.

Now, apply this to a run down and dark home. What energetic feeling would you experience there? What about a bright, clean and welcoming space?

Think of Feng Shui as acupuncture for the home. It’s the practice of shifting the energy in a space to benefit the people living there.

Applying Feng Shui Practices to Your Office

There are a handful of adjustments you can make in your office to enhance your personal energy, or chi. The primary ones being the location of your desk, the flow of energy within your office, and the things taking up space there. In this case, the Feng Shui bagua doesn’t even need to be referenced.

1. Desk Placement

The most important change you can make in your office is to put your desk in a commanding position. The command position requires you to face the door, without being directly in line with it. If you’re already sitting with a clear view of the door but directly in line with the energy flowing straight at you, hang a Feng Shui crystal from the ceiling in-between your desk and the door. This will slow the flow of chi rushing toward you, which can often feel like overwhelm.

Why is the command position important?

In Feng Shui, your desk represents your career and your path-in-life. Being in command of this is critical. No one wants surprises or unexpected changes when it comes to their job. Putting your desk in command allows you to be in command of the opportunities coming your way. Whereas sitting with your back to the door can cause feelings of stress and anxiety, and represents that you are not totally in control of the people, ideas, and opportunities coming your way.

But what if the only place for my desk is facing a wall?

Sometimes this is the only option, and that’s okay. There is a very easy cure for it! By setting an intention and placing a mirror or reflective object on or above your desk, you can easily regain command. The intention being that you can see who might be approaching you as well as what opportunities might be coming your way.

Can my desk be under a window?

In short, yes. If being under a window is inspiring for you and you do not find yourself drifting off to la-la land, then your desk is okay to stay there. However, if you find yourself distracted, often staring off or daydreaming, then it may be a good idea to adjust your desk’s location with the intention of regaining control over your concentration and creative output.

2. Office Clutter + Decor

An easy way to make your office an overwhelming and uninspiring space is by putting unrelated decor and objects in it. Is your desk cluttered with to-do lists, mail and knick-knacks? Are there boxes piled up in the corner? Are you using it as a space for other things? Is there distracting imagery or artwork?

It’s a basic concept really. The office should be filled with items and decor that boost creativity and inspire action. Not with items that distract you from the task at hand. If you’re using the office as a multi-purpose space, that’s okay, as long as distracting items and clutter are tucked away when it’s time to work.

3. No Office

For those who do not have a dedicated office or workspace, don’t worry! These same principles can be applied wherever you are.

When it’s time to setup your laptop and work, find a commanding position.

If you’re working out of the kitchen or spare bedroom, try to clear the clutter before you get started so that you don’t feel the need to do loads of laundry or the dishes in the middle of writing an email.

Choose spaces that are conducive to the work you are doing… a coffee shop for writing, a quiet room for administrative work, virtual meetings and phone calls, and an inspiring place for creative work. Creating a ritual around the work you do in a particular space will help you feel more grounded and concentrated when you sit down to do it.

Office Feng Shui + Manifestation

Circling back around to that $5 bill…

Feng Shui adjustments are as successful as the intention set behind them. Yes, energy flow plays a big role in the process, however intention is also key. Knowing what it is you want to gain from the Feng Shui adjustment will help you manifest it more quickly.

Before implementing an adjustment, take time to journal and/or meditate on the reasons why you are calling it in. Set a powerful intention behind the change you want to make, then wait and trust the process to unfold.

Want a little more?

Stay tuned for practical, accessible tips to implement Feng Shui in your home and office by joining the Club Haven Newsletter, and following along on social media @HolisticHavens.

Have more specific questions? Want to apply these practices – and more – to your office? Feel free to contact me.