Webinarmed / BeaconLive Blog

If you are anything like me, you probably find that it can be work in itself to stay focused while at work. And although you may think that I am speaking about distractions, working in a dull cubicle presents the opposite problem: a lack of visual stimulation. Frequent office cubicle dwellers can agree that the plain, uninviting walls that surround them every day do not aid in keeping you alert and engaged in your work. Although those 5-Hour Energy commercials are insufferably annoying, there does come that point in the day where your eyes become heavy and you struggle to keep your head from nodding back. While your only hope at this point may be an espresso shot (or ten) from your local coffee shop, creating a livelier work environment might just be the cure for that inevitable midday slump.

Cubicles are not the most attractive workstations, but still 70% of all office employees work within the confines of an office cubicle. As an intern who has held two job positions in the last 12 months, I can assure you that this statistic is accurate, if not understated. They are utilized because they are cheap, economical, and standardized to fit any office space effectively. Therefore, they tend to be very dull, plain, and boring. Often, they stay this way because their dwellers are either not interested in sprucing them up or do not have the time to put forth the effort. Cubicles are the way of the business world, and only a generous promotion will free you from their relentless grasp. Ok, maybe it’s not that extreme. Odds are, though, that you will experience “cube life” at some point in your career and it can be very beneficial to give your workspace a personality. Once you have given your cube a facelift, it becomes a place where you can bear to spend 8+ hours of your day.

Here are a few ways to conquer cubicle humdrummery and create a work environment that promotes productivity and focus. If you do it right, you may even look forward to sitting in your cube each day!

One of the easiest ways to introduce some vitality to your cube would be to bring pictures of family and friends to spread around your desk and walls. For one, it is a refreshing image for your eyes to glance at throughout the day – seeing the smiling faces of your loved ones can serve as an instant pick-me-up during rough workdays. Also, these pictures can offer you an opportunity to speak more personally with your coworkers about the people who matter to you. And don’t forget: pets are family too!

Another way to introduce color into your cube is posters. Dedicate a section of your cube for posters of your favorite bands, actors/actresses, movies, shows and hobbies. Your eyes will engage in the various images and colors plastered across this “inspiration wall” and will keep you alert and attentive in your work. And again, showcasing your interests with posters will show your coworkers the type of person you are and what you invest your time in outside of work. Remember, though, to keep them safe for work!

There are some decorative items that can also serve a function. For instance, corkboards make great additions to any cube. You can pin up important tasks and responsibilities to be completed through the week, but you can also get a little more creative with them as well. Funny and colorful pushpins can really brighten up your workspace and make for a more comfortable, relaxing work setting. You can also use them to hang other visuals, such as postcards and small trinkets that tell stories about the life you lead outside of your work environment. Other utilitarian decorations could include whiteboards, amusing calendars and colorful office supplies like sticky notes and pens.

Lastly, there is one final category of decorations that will help you stay alert and productive throughout your stay in an office cubicle: desk gadgets. Though some individuals may suffer from a severe lack of organization (don’t worry, that will be discussed in detail in blogs to come), adding fun toys to your cubicle’s desk is not a step in the wrong direction. Whether it is a pet rock, a miniature waterfall or aquarium, a desk plant, a themed clock, or even your favorite bobble head, desk accessories will round out your cube’s personality and aid in distracting your mind the necessary amount throughout your workweek.

Visual stimulation is the key to success for any cubicle inhabitant. Although their walls are high in an attempt to stifled all outside distractions so that you can remain focused on your work, these distractions can actually be beneficial to your focus and productivity. Sitting at a desk for hours at a time, no matter how many espresso shots you’ve had, can make your body complacent and will often make you feel drowsy. Therefore, you will be doing yourself a great service by incorporating brightly colored posters, pictures and gadgets within your cube space. They will serve as that afternoon energy boost to keep you comfortable, relaxed and willing to do the day’s work. Like I’ve said, cubicles are not the most attractive workstations. However, that is not to say that they can’t be – experiment with it, and you will find that cube life ain’t all that bad.

BeaconLive challenges you to show us what you can do. Take some pictures of your cubicle as it is today, then give it a makeover – send your before-and-after pictures topatrick@beaconlive.com and we may showcase your photos on our Twitter or Webinarmed blog! Feel free to incorporate your own ideas and designs as well.