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Posts Tagged Work

About That Clutter You Don’t See – How to Deal with Virtual Clutter

On September 5, 2017   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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computer and tabletBy Lisa Janusz

It’s a technological world we live in. You can access information within seconds by using a few keystrokes. Although the world is far more “paperless” than it was several years ago, it didn’t stop the clutter. Instead of having piles of papers on your desk, they’re now electronic files on your desktop. Or buried away as emails in your inbox.

Even though you can’t physically see it, it’s still affecting your energy. Take for instance an unsorted inbox. When you open it in the morning and see there are 603 messages (even if only 45 of them are new), it’s immediately overwhelming. These are reminders of things to do, follow up on, sort and file.

From a Feng Shui perspective, that energy could be dragging you down. It could be contributing to feelings of being stressed, burnt out and overwhelmed. In much the same way that you deal with physical clutter, you have to deal with the unseen, technological clutter as well.

Here are a few ideas on how you can start the process.

  1. Utilize the number 9. (It’s an auspicious number.) Deal with 9 things a day for 9 days. File or delete 9 emails, sort and file 9 photos or re-evaluate 9 files.
  2. Get your inbox under control. Set an end-of-day limit for the number of emails. I’m committed to 99. If there are more, start scrolling to see what can be filed, responded to and deleted before you log out.
  3. There’s no time like the present. If you can respond to something immediately, do so. Especially if it takes less than 2 minutes.
  4. Look at what you’ve invited. If you have a bunch of subscriptions, it’s time to evaluate! If you’ve fallen behind, don’t review each one, sort by sender and delete all but the most recent email.
  5. Organize your photos. Put a reminder in your calendar to download your photos each month. Set aside some time after to create folders and sort them.
  6. Customize a process for you. Figure out your own personal system to deal with technological clutter and stick to it.

No matter where we turn, there’s the potential for clutter! If you are feeling the effects, prioritize dealing with it. You never know what awaits you once you have the room to receive it, email or otherwise.

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Feng Shui your Website – Integrate the 5 Elements for an Auspicious Design

On May 3, 2016   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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flowers by computerBy Jessica Hoelzel

Many people have gravitated towards Feng Shui because of its versatility. Its principles can be applied to all areas of life and work – not just physical spaces. Feng Shui, in particular the 5 Element Theory, can prove remarkably useful when designing a website.

The natural world is made up of 5 forms of energy, according to the Chinese: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. When integrated into a space in a balanced way, it fosters positive energy. Chances for luck and success are therefore increased.

Why not apply this natural order to your calling card to the world? Thanks to the infinite space on the web, your website has the potential to showcase who you are in a big way.

Using the 5 Elements to create an effective website design, you can create a website that:

  • Reveals your depth
  • Broadens your reach
  • Enhances your fame
  • Confirms your foundation
  • Clarifies your message

5 Strategies for Creating a 5 Element Website

1. Integrate the Water Element: Reveal your depth

  • Make sure your site isn’t too busy. From stillness comes great wisdom
  • Offer food for thought, or profound quotations. Cut any “fluff” copy

Color: black and dark blue
Shapes: undulating forms/waves/spirals

2. Integrate the Wood Element: Broaden your reach

  • Branch out. Have outbound links to other pages and social media connection buttons
  • Grow your site content over time with regular blog content

Color: shades of green
Shapes: rectangles/columns

3. Integrate the Fire Element: Enhance your fame

  • Publicize your recognition – awards and what you’re known for
  • Ignite a spark through provocative content, lively images, and bold calls to action

Color: shades of red, orange, and pink; pops of other bright colors
Shapes: triangles, sunbursts
Images: photography and artwork

4. Integrate the Earth Element: Confirm your foundation

  • Let them know you’re solid. Highlight skills, background, expertise
  • Suggest a feeling of grounded-ness with a balanced layout, headers and footers

Color: yellow, shades of brown
Shape: squares, horizontal rectangles

5. Integrate the Metal Element: Clarify your message

  • Communicate who you are, and what you offer, succinctly
  • Organize site content in a way that makes sense, and keeps people there

Color: white, gray
Shapes: circles, arches

With this knowledge and your intention, you can be strategic about your website design. Follow the same theory as when applying Feng Shui to your home – by integrating the 5 Elements, you can achieve a harmonious design, and attract abundance with your space on the web.

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Using Musical Instruments to Adjust Feng Shui

On August 4, 2015   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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musical instrumentBy Carole Hyder

A musical instrument can be a very effective and inspiring Feng Shui adjustment if used with intention. Certainly if someone is a musician, their instrument will hold a lot of meaning for them and remind them of the joy and creative satisfaction they get from playing. Having a reminder of a skill, talent, and/or fascination with a particular aspect of music can go a long way in supporting creativity.

However, whether you know how to play an instrument or not, it could still be a unique and effective Feng Shui adjustment. Think about what you want to bring into your life and see if any of these metaphors resonate appropriately and then, either hang the actual instrument or a poster or picture of it in a place where you’ll see it.

  • You want to feel lighter and less weighted down, perhaps alleviating some tendencies toward depression. Flutes or recorders can offer a lilting reminder of this intention.
  • You feel the need to be more grounded and centered. A picture of a bass drum or a tuba or a taiku drum will speak to that core value.
  • You want to get some forward momentum in your life. Every marching band is inspired by sounds from the brass section—-trumpets, trombones, coronets would all work to create the fast movement you may be searching for.
  • You want more stability and peace in your life. A stringed instrument can provide the kind of soothing qualities you need, most specifically a harp.

I worked with a doctor who was assigned a new office and wanted to make it a balanced space. In the course of our conversation he mentioned that he used to play trumpet—-he even showed me pictures of himself as a young man playing in a band. He was proud of this time in his life but had happily relegated his trumpet-playing to occasional moments in the privacy of his home. I suggested he find some way to represent that aspect of himself. He found a large abstract oil painting of a trumpet, hung it in his office and was inspired every single day. Plus it offered up some great conversations with patients and staff.

Musical instruments can definitely be used as a Feng Shui adjustment, however, as with any Feng Shui adjustment, the instrument needs to speak to you in a positive, creative and intentional way.

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Crossing the Threshold of Opportunities: Feng Shui for Your Career

On March 4, 2014   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   2 Comments
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hand on door knobBy Lisa Janusz

When people find out I’m a Feng Shui consultant, I’ll often hear, “I know you are supposed to paint your front door red.” And it’s true. Or not. Depending.

Confused? Don’t be. The origins of this statement come from the belief that your front door is your “calling card” to the world. Red became associated with it because it is said to be an auspicious color. So, if you love that color, then yes, paint your door red! If red’s not your thing, then don’t. Pick a color that you love and that makes you happy.

In Feng Shui we associate front doors with new opportunities. Front doors are the “mouths of chi” where energy enters your home. Because they are about opportunities, the front door is related to careers as well.

If you are looking for a new career opportunity or to ramp up your career, this is the place to start. What is happening at your front door? (Inside and outside!) What is your message to the world?

Make sure:

  • It’s welcoming. Paint your front door a color you love that stands out from the rest of the house. Check your house numbers. Add flowers.
  • It’s clear of clutter to allow new opportunities to come in.
  • Everything around there is alive. Remove any dead plants that were left out over the winter if they won’t re-bloom in the spring. It’s better to have an empty pot (at least there’s potential there).
  • You have a place for your “things.” You may not want all the shoes to pile there, but if they do, have a place for them. Figure out a system so it doesn’t look like chaos.
  • You use your front door at least weekly. (Yes, even if you have an attached garage!) You will see your house in a whole new perspective.

Whether your front door is red, yellow or blue (or any other color for that matter), have it send the message that you invite opportunities. At the very least, if it’s a color you love, it will put a smile on your face. And that is good energy.

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Back to Basics: Inviting Opportunities

On August 7, 2012   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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Key Unlocking DoorI know at least three people looking for a new job right now. One of them was laid off more than two years ago and hasn’t been able to find something where he “fits”. With quite an impressive business background, in some ways it is quite shocking. We all know that the economy is struggling, but there are those wading their way through it as well. What’s different for them?

Let’s go back to a basic principle of Feng Shui: your space reflects your life. So, imagine this friend working at a hand-me-down desk, in an unfinished basement, sitting in an old rolling office chair searching the internet for new opportunities. Is that environment supportive? Motivating? And that’s where valuable hours are spent every day. You can’t tell me it isn’t affecting him.

Whether you are looking for a new career opportunity, or ramping up good energy within your current job, here are a few tips to make that happen:

  1. Invite opportunities by using your front door. (Yes, even if you have an attached garage!) Get some energy moving by using it a couple of times a week. Or bump that up even more by using it for nine days in a row.
  2. Have your house greet your visitors (and those opportunities!): A welcoming front path. A noticeable front door. A doorbell that works. House numbers that are easily seen.
  3. Have your office reflect your goals. Get a solid desk and high-back chair to support you. Then make sure the look aligns with your destination. Someone on a corporate executive path will have a different look from someone looking towards interior design. If it helps, think of two or three well-known people in your industry, and either search out or imagine what their offices look like. Do what you can (knowing we all have limitations) to make some of that happen. At least prioritize how you can get there.

Don’t underestimate the power of your surroundings. Indeed that is why I was attracted to Feng Shui in the first place. And for many of you it’s probably the same. It just feels different to sit in a leather executive chair at a nice wood desk versus a folding chair and card table. It changes your attitude and your outlook.

This isn’t just applicable to your office, of course. You can take this through your whole house. And I hope you will! For example, think about if your bedroom supports romance and if your living room supports your social life. Take a fresh look and see what’s there. Then take the steps to make each area what you desire.

lisamccueBy Lisa Janusz

Wind & Water School of Feng Shui Registrar and Faculty

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