• Photos
• Buzz
  • Buzz
  • Connections' Photos
• About
• Blog
• Recent Activity
• Classifieds
• Groups
• More
  • Downloads
• Contact
  • Send a Private Message
  • Go To Website
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Connect to User

It's all a state of mind

142 (251)

There is a lot of things one can do to help improve your art and photography and know doubt many of you, like me, have attempted a great many of the ideas that are out there. Well, there is one thing that I have recently achieved where so many other ideas failed. It did not involve purchasing any new addition gear, no new software, and no great learning curve. I simply cleaned out my workspace. I work from home in a small room come office and as time goes by things start to pile up, filing system becomes a hit and miss affair and you end up spending more time looking for things than achieving advances in your workload.

Call it turning 50 or just a wake up call to get my life back in some kind of shape, I woke up to the fact that I was l working in a mess. I got myself a role of bin bags and started what resulted in a week long clean out. First it was old files, then onto books, packed up and dropped of at my local charity shop. After a few days I was beginning to see the light so to speak. Not wishing to stop I continued to set about my old furniture, table, bookshelf etc with a good old hammer and a few hours later was delighted to see a rather large wood pile in the centre of my room/office.

Everything removed from my office it was like a new blank canvas just waiting for the first new splash of paint.

Now this is where I have to come clean and say yes it did involve a little money, so it was off to my local Ikea store where I picked up a very reasonably priced table and shelf unit in a glorious bright white.

Back home construction was quickly underway and then it was out with the paint to freshen the walls up.

One week late I was now sitting in my new office and to be honest I have never felt so relaxed. No more clutter, a fresh bright white room, perfect for working in especially when colour is so important, no colour casts from the surroundings.

A few months down the line and my productivity has increased by a factor of 10. Yes, I spend longer working but I am no longer as tired and inspiration seems to be more forthcoming without all the distractions that were once around me.

It has been said by many experts over the years that your workspace and environment can and will have a large baring on your emotional and physical well been. I am now happy to promote their expert observations. I have always enjoyed my work but working from a home office has often been something which I have tolerated rather than enjoyed until now.

So after you have invested all that well earned cash on the latest gear or software give a little time and expense over to where you actually work, wither its a hobby or a business, its money and time well spent.

Comments

Pete (ePHOTOzine Staff)

12

12 Aug 2011 - 3:26 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Are you sure you want to Hide this comment?

sounds good. I'm also decluttering at the moment. It's taking a while though because I've been a compulsive collector and a hoarder.

Sponsored Links

12 Aug 2011 - 9:35 PM

• Options

Join ePHOTOzine for free and remove these adverts.

bfgstew

6

12 Aug 2011 - 9:35 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Are you sure you want to Hide this comment?

Ah, no wonder I'm in a mess I work in a mess......

They simplicity is the key and good for you Victor. I keep meaning to tidy up but it looks so daunting, years and years of clutter to wade through, gulp, will have to bite the bullet I think.

VICTORHABBICK

10

14 Aug 2011 - 10:48 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Are you sure you want to Hide this comment?

Cheers guys, it was not an easy decision either as like you both I am a avid collector, but I just sat down and basically said if I had not looked at it, read it, referenced it, used it in the last two years it had to go. You can become so attached to things for little or know reason. Have to say I did make quite a few pounds out of the clear out as I ended up selling lots of books on amazon, dvd collection to Magpie, bits of old kit to cashconvertors and the like. It's amazing what other people will buy from your old stuff...and keep this quite it allows you that few extra pound to but new kit!!! (wife not reading this bit I hope)