“When your physical environment is in alignment with your aspiration,
success becomes the norm.”
success becomes the norm.”
Susan St Lawrence
A few years ago, I undertook some major interior design tasks. I ripped out all the carpets and replaced them with flooring. Steamed off nearly thirty years’ worth of wallpaper and painted instead. And as part of this activity (and in conjunction with some other personal changes) I redid my office: changed the paint color, hung my favorite pictures, cleared the clutter and weeded out the bookshelves. (Okay, so maybe most of the books stayed but at least they were organized into categories!).
And I hung what I call my “power board”: a large bulletin board on which I affixed pictures from magazines and personal photos (including one of a small boat named “Freelance”), postcards from other writers (including one from Carolyn See complimenting one of my short stories) and anything else that would inspire and encourage me.
The power board hangs directly behind the monitor, where I see it every day, from the time I sit down at my desk until the time I finally leave the office. And its purpose is to keep me focused—not on client projects (my bills do that!)—but on my own writing: the fiction that is near and dear to my heart, the non-fiction book project about and for writers that is still in its infancy.
My power board reminds me that my writing is not just my occupation but my passion, that I do this not just to earn money but to keep my spirit alive.
With “Renew Your Nest Day” just around the corner, think how you can improve your workspace so it becomes an environment that supports your plans and goals, dreams and desires. Then share those changes here!