Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/556541
August 10 - August 31, 2015 30 Working World l WorkingWorld.com FENG SHUI AT WORK by Katy Allgeyer Katy Allgeyer believes every workplace can be enlightened and energized by the principles of feng shui. In addition to her feng shui practice, she is a writer, artist and has worked in retail management. Taking Inventory Assess your living and working space D o you feel sluggish? Do you have the energy to get through your day? Does it sometimes feel like some invisible hand is blocking you from success? We all feel like this from time to time. Before looking to the medicine cabinet for solutions to your feeling of malaise, maybe it's time to take a feng shui inventory of your living and working space. Here are some feng shui culprits to look for: • Are there dead plants nearby? Even pretty dried floral arrangements represent dead plant matter and thus negative chi (energy). Remove and replace with living plants or lifelike faux silk ones. • Do you have an abundance of clutter? Getting it sorted out will organize some of the chaos pulling you away from your success goals. • What messages are you surrounding yourself with? If your chosen artwork depicts violence, sorrow, depression, loneliness or other chi-draining concepts, you'll want to exchange it for more uplifting imagery. For example, I once had a client who had a movie poster with the screaming headline Boulevard of Broken Dreams hung on her wall. This type of message reinforces negativity (unless, of course, you were involved in the making of this film—it broke all financial industry records and scored an Oscar). Hang art that makes you happy, raises your chi, and reminds you of successful situations. • Is your space dirty? They say cleanliness is next to godliness. All I know is the feeling of clean is a very uplifting one. • Dark and dingy? A fresh coat of paint and some new lighting may do the trick. • Have you got more vested in your past than in your future? Holding on to memorabilia from dead relationships or situations-gone-sour is not inspiring, nor is it helping you attract new opportunities. • Does your door swing freely or is there something stored behind it? • Is your back facing the entry door to your space? If so, consider rearranging your furniture so you have the "Command Position" (clear view of the door) or hang a mirror to achieve the same result.