Kill the Clutter Before It Kills You
That’s exactly what neuroscientists at Princeton University found when they looked at people’s task performance in an organized versus disorganized environment. The results of the study showed that physical clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance and increased stress.
Find Places That Inspire You
... look for a spot with natural light from a window or skylight, take a walk outside when you feel stuck, or simply explore a new location.
Use Different Places for Different Places of Mind
If you can set up multiple workspaces for different tasks you’ll also be able to force your mind into a certain flow, just by physically being somewhere.
Set Yourself Up for Success
We may think we have the willpower and control to push through harder tasks, but deep down we’re all lazy. But it’s not entirely our fault. Our brains have been taught to conserve energy at all costs and make subconscious decisions for us based entirely on how hard or easy it is. So if you want to create a workspace that’s productive, focus on making it easier to do the things you want to do, and harder to do the tasks you don’t.
Curate Your Senses
Beyond the physical layout and mental associations of your space, there are some auxiliary things you can also control. The sounds around you and the music you listen to can have a huge impact on your productivity. Studies show that of all things, intermittent speech—hearing small snippets of conversation, can have an incredibly negative impact on your ability to concentrate.