Tag Archives: business

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE SYMBOLS

This poster gives off mixed messages even though everyone is smiling.

This poster gives off mixed messages even though everyone is smiling. “Stormy Weather” could refer to Wall Street today.

Want to shake up your chi (energy)? Why don’t you assess your work space and take inventory of any positive or negative symbols that might be dominating your environment while having an impact on your success. What we surround ourselves with directly influences our mood, our emotions, and our drive (or lack of ambition). That’s why those motivational posters with sayings such as “Believe & Succeed” are so popular in corporate culture. In fact, they are known as “Culture Builders” and “Attitude Enhancers” in the corporate art trade. One giant company that makes these products calls itself and its product “Successories“.

Motivational artwork can be classy or cliché. The point is, the posters offer positive reinforcement of our best intentions at the workplace.  You wouldn’t hang up a poster that said, “Give Up Now. You’re a Big Loser”. But you might have objects in your office that give off a similar negative vibe. For instance, I recently worked with a client who had a welcome mat at the front door to his executive office. It was a square jute rug with the words “Get Lost!” in bright, fun colors splashed across a black ground. While meant in jest, in feng shui terms he was saying something very negative to his employees, clients, and vendors. The intention was to lighten up, obviously, but the subliminal message on this entry rug was quite blatant and tells Opportunity to go away because it’s not welcome here. I laughed when he told me he bought the rug on deep discount (most people were repelled at point-of-sale by the message and literally “got lost”).

Another client had books on the shelf with titles like “Pain” or “The Tragic Story of…”. Still another had a Hollywood vintage poster that screamed out in giant text, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”.  I’m sorry to tell you that for most of us, there is no neutral area in the feng shui bagua to place these emotionally-charged messages. Scout your own space and see if you can find similar book titles or negative imagery that mighty be sapping your career mojo. Go for uplifting messages and fine art that inspires.

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Filed under Feng Shui Office, Interior Design, Wealth & Finances

YOUR WEBSITE: HOW FENG SHUI CAN HELP

    Why are some websites successful and others less so (or not at all)? There are many contributing factors such as placement rankings on search engines and whether or not you have a viable product or service to sell. But in terms of feng shui, your website can be evaluated the same way your home or workspace would be. The number one culprit to negative feng shui at home, office, or on your website is clutter.  

    That’s right: a messy website is the equivalent to a messy desktop. If you’re trying to cram too much information onto your web portal, you’re causing your cyber visitors to jump through too many hoops to find your ultimate payoff (your product or service). Cyber clutter takes many forms. It ranges from poor graphic design layout of imagery and text to the use of too many conflicting styles and fonts to having too many Google Ads or partner logos displayed prominently on your pages. Also, flashing bells and whistles that belong in a circus carny act, not on a website that’s trying to reach customers with limited time to waste sorting through the ‘fun’ gimicks.

     Organizing your website by feng shui practice can be helpful. Follow these principles when evaluating your existing website or creating a new one.

  • Clean and clutter free is elegant and easy online or off.
  • Color can be used to activate, empower, soothe or excite. Choose your colors for backgrounds and text accordingly.
  • Follow the bagua. The upper left corner is the Wealth area, the Middle upper area is the Fame & Reputation Area, the upper right corner is the Love & Relationship Area. You can place your most important text in these areas (IE: Your corporate logo should be either in the Wealth or Fame areas of your website or smack dab in the middle of the page).
  • Don’t block your customer from finding you: be sure all your pages are linked together in an easily navigable way.
  • Pay attention to detail: spelling mistakes and grammatical errors make even the most sophisticated site look unprofessional.

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CLOTHES ENCOUNTERS

It’s been said that “Clothes make the man”. It’s also been said that “every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man”. Whether you graduated top of your class or are simply a fan of ZZ Top, these feng shui hints are about what you wear on your bottom that might just help you get to the top.

Your mom used to warn you to have clean underwear on before you left the house in case you somehow wound up in the ER and met a cute doctor. Well, mom was right (even though she probably never heard of feng shui)! The basic premise behind mother’s warning is that it is a good idea to put your best self out there in the world. Employers can’t see them but you guys know they’re there: holes in your tighty whities. Or maybe you’re wearing yesterday’s boxers (we don’t wanna know!)? And you gals: mismatched bras and panties, runs in your stockings held together by nail polish.

Why is this negative feng shui?Because we can’t project an aura of confidence and capability out in the working world when secretly we know that our foundation is shaky. Just like when our desk is positioned so that our back is to the door we are constantly feeling vulnerable to people sneaking up on us. In this case if our underclothes are really ratty, even the most expensive clothing on top will not take away that feeling of being less than your best.

Here’s a scenario we can all relate to…what would you be wearing underneath it all if you were preparing yourself for a date with a 10 instead of an interview with a 10? You’d be putting on your sexy best because you never know where the date would lead. Well, in doing that, you are putting on your first layer of confidence. I’m NOT suggesting you will be stripping for your new boss! What you’re aiming for is the feeling of knowing you are ready willing and able to go for it (the job). Are you?

(This article by Katy Allgeyer was first published by Working World Magazine)

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OFFICE ROMANCE

A glimpse of Martha Stewart's office courtesy Lisa Kerezi New York Magazine.

Today, flirting in the office is flirting with danger of a sexual harassment lawsuit. So when your politically correct feng shui consultant titles her post “Office Romance” you can rest assured that the topic will be business and bagua locations, not bimbos and boytoys. (BTW, New York Magazine gives a wonderful glimpse of offices of the rich and powerful if you click here).

The area of the bagua (feng shui location map) known as the “Love & Relationship” sector can be found in the upper right hand portion of your room as you face its interior. I’ll bet for most of you, “Love & Relationship” conjures up only one image: Mr or Ms Right. What does “Love & Relationship” have to do with business? Hmmmmm….not much if you are working totally in a vacuum without any human contact and selling a product to nobody but yourself. But if your workday involves interaction with colleagues, supervisors, vendors, customers, and suppliers, chances are that you are participating in several “Relationships” throughout your day.

For daily operations to go smoothly, you need to have good relationships with your teammates. How can feng shui promote good relationships? Locate your “Love & Relationship” area. What’s there? If you have a lonely little chair, and on-its-way-to-dead plant or any imagery connotating sad unhappy solo people then you best pay attention. Note to Gordon Gecko types: it’s best to keep your copy of the classic business strategy book The Art of War by Sun-Tzu in another location (ie: a drawer on the right hand side of your desk is appropriate).

What DOES belong in your office’s “Love & Relationship” area:

*Colors in the family of Red, Pink/Peach, or White. (Application: if your “Love & Relationship” area has a window, perhaps this is the color of drapes you would use)

*Art symbolic of happy couples/pairings such as a tasteful photo of you and your spouse. (If you have pics of animals, then you would want a pair NOT Bambi alone!)

*Groupings of two chairs, not one.

*Fresh lovely flowers in colors mentioned or a healthy plant.

Make the changes and fall in love with your office or job all over again!
This article originally written for Working World

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1st STEP TO FINDING YOUR DREAM JOB

Feng shui principles incorporate the belief that if we set our intentions, we will eventually manifest the goals that we set. Just how do we set intentions? First, we need to know what exactly it is that we want. If I were to ask you what you want from your work life, would you simply say “More money! Less work!” or would you say “I want a job that fullfills me” or perhaps “I want to make a difference and feel appreciated for the work I do!”. All of these are valid intentions.

Close your eyes and go back in time. What did you always think you might do when you grew up? Ask yourself, did your world revolve around reading books or did you spend a lot of time at the video arcade? Did you enjoy being outdoors or were you at your best sitting at a table with your coloring books? Were you the ringleader of your group of friends or were you the shy one? The answers to these questions might give you clues as to what activities in the workplace you are most suited to. Set your intentions to find a new dream job in 2010!

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FENG SHUI GIFTS FOR COWORKERS

Choosing holiday gifts to co-workers, vendors, clients, and employers shouldn’t become another burden to add to your stressful workload. Creating good chi (energy) through proper use of feng shui techniques is beneficial anytime and any place. During the holidays, when carolers incite us to “be of good cheer”, being of good chi is even better! Why not spread the good chi around? Here’s a list of holiday gifts that fill the niche of being cool things to receive, and, good for the recipient’s feng shui. (And because you are giving with good intentions, your own feng shui will also benefit.)

RED CANDLES The color red activates and stimulates. Red candles are available in abundance during the holiday season and can be found at Target or even Trader Joe’s at prices that won’t break your bank. Accompany a large red candle with a beautiful candle holder and a hand written note advising your recipient to light it in their Wealth, Fame, or Relationship areas of their bagua for good feng shui results. Those areas can be found at the upper left, middle, and right hand sides of any space you’re facing toward.

INCENSE Readily available at retailers everywhere, you might find a more sophisticated selection at yoga center gift shops. Look for classic scents such as jasmine, ginger, green tea, and patchouli. This gift will lift your hipness quotient quite a bit, too.

MOBILES Lightweight paper mobiles can be found in museum gift shops. A butterfly mobile is a good example that works for kids and grownups rooms. In Chinatown, one can find cocktail parasol mobiles at just about any shop. Mobiles function as art and as feng shui tools to add movement, stimulating good chi and opportunity, and creativity.

MONEY Wherever it’s appropriate, money is a definite chi booster. If it’s placed in a Red Pocket (a Chinese feng shui red envelope that you can find at any shop in Chinatown), it doubles the good fortune of both giver and receiver. The bright red envelopes with golden characters and artwork embossed on them make receiving that end-of-year bonus all the more fun.

FENG SHUI CONSULTATION Feng Shui By Fishgirl is available to analyze your feng shui no matter what your location. Ask for the “Office Special” if you’d like to have your office done (or gift someone else).

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TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FENG SHUI

Billionaire come-back-kid entrepreneur Donald Trump has a Feng Shui consultant advise him on all of his building projects. Oprah’s had her feng shui done, too.Legendary fashion designer Liz Claiborne and her business partner husband Art Ortenberg attributed a great deal of their outstanding success in creating an apparel dynasty to their following of the principles of Feng Shui. Most new buildings in Hong Kong ( like the prestigious Bank of China designed by acclaimed architect I.M. Pei) have to be approved by Feng Shui experts before construction begins.

If that doesn’t convince you that Feng Shui is more than a New Age trend, consider this: the architect of our nations presidential residence, The White House, incorporated the western form of Feng Shui known as “geomancy”. Geomancy, like Feng Shui, is a practice of placement to create harmony and balance and allow the optimum flow of energy.

Photo from unknown source...thanks!

Photo from unknown source...thanks!

How does Feng Shui fit into today’s working world? Especially how can we apply it if we are merely the worker bees and have no control over the actual hives? We can start by focusing on what we DO have control of: ourselves and our own space. At home AND at work.

Even if you are a mail clerk without an office you still occupy a space within your company. Maybe instead of a desk, you have only a locker. Or a cubby shelf. Or a mailbox. Claim that space! Make sure it is going to help bring better opportunities your way instead of blocking your progress. Keeping your space — whether it be desk or locker — very tidy and clean will improve your work life. Making it pleasing to your eye by adding personal touches is fine, as long as they are appropriate to the work setting you are in. IE: You don’t want a pin-up calendar in your cubby, even if nobody ever sees your locker space.

It’s about being your best and doing your best. It’s about keeping a clear open path for opportunity and abundance to find you no matter where on the corporate ladder you are. It’s about creating room for expansion. Just ask Donald Trump.

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HOME OFFICE:Create a Work Space at Home

Working at home has its perks (I’m not just talking java brewed the way you like it, anytime you want it). When you work at home, the only jam you have to face is the one you put on your toast and not the one you find on the road. A big meeting is attended in your favorite sweats sitting at a conference call instead of a conference table. And your big lunch meeting for the day can be walking your dog while wearing those very same sweats!

Whether your job consists of spending all — or only part — of your time working from home, it’s beneficial to your business to make your home office environment as feng shui friendly as possible.Your home is supposed to be your retreat and respite from the fast paced working world. So, if your work area shares space with your home sanctuary, it is crucial to separate the two in order to relax when your work day is done.

This home office is tucked into a kitchen nook. The plants are good feng shui, but it also needs a mirror since the worker's back is to the room.

This home office is tucked into a kitchen nook. The plants are good feng shui, but it also needs a mirror since the worker's back is to the room.

Not all of us have the luxury of being able to devote an entire room for our home office. But if you do, you’re able to simply close the door once your work day is done. However, even if you can only give a small corner of a dining room to it, keeping the work space well organized will help you make the transition from high powered business person to tranquil dinner party hostess much easier. You may want to consider investing in a self contained office set up…converting a small closet for example, or purchasing a media desk that is disguised as an armoire when not in use.

Be sure not to skimp on your equipment. Allow yourself a comfortable chair and maybe a headset phone. Consider situating your home office within the Wealth and Abundance area of a particular room or of your entire home whenever possible. Locate the Wealth power position by standing in the entry door (mouth of chi) facing toward the interior of your space. It’s in the upper left-hand corner. Got it? Get busy!

If you’ve got a great pic of a space you transformed into a home office, send it to Feng Shui By Fishgirl and we’ll post it here.

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FENG SHUI FAQ’S ABOUT THE WORKPLACE

Photo of Hawaiian wind & water courtesy Scott Morgan 2008.

Photo of Hawaiian wind & water courtesy Scott Morgan 2008.

Q: What is the meaning behind the feng shui translation “wind and water”?
A: Wind symbolizes breath, which moves in and out of our bodies and gives us the life force known as ch’i (energy). Water symbolizes that element that is essential to life and is also about movement. Both represent opportunities for health and well being.

Q: Does it matter where I place my trash can in my office?
A: Symbolically, you don’t want to place your trash can in your Wealth power position. However, you can counterbalance the negative effects by using a waste basket that has a lid on it which seals the trash inside.

Q: My back faces the entry door where I work and I can’t change it. What can I do?
A: Put a mirror up. Or keep your door shut so you know when people are entering.

Q: Have you ever worked on any celebrity homes?
A: Yes, I usually sign confidentiality agreements.

Q: What is the most important feng shui rule to follow at work?
A: Clutter of any kind keeps us from focusing and is the easiest thing to solve. Keep your workspace well organized, clean, and clutter free and you will be happier and more productive at work.

Q: I’ve heard that red is an important color in feng shui. Is that true and why?
A: Red represents the element of fire which stimulates ch’i. You can harness the activating power of red in many ways. For example, wearing a red necktie or red underwear can give you the feeling of being at the height of your full power (hence the term, “power tie” or “power suit” in regards to clothing of red color).

Q: Is it okay to get just my office feng shui’ed even if the rest of the building hasn’t been done? A: Yes. Feng shui begins with you and goes outward from there. By making improvements in the small area that you control, you will reap the benefits from good feng shui.

Have questions or comments? Post them here and Feng Shui By Fishgirl will get back to you.

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BE LIKE EINSTEIN: SLOW DOWN & TAKE A NAP!

Photo from Wiki.

Photo from Wiki.

Einsteinwas famous for taking naps and the solution to his Theory of Relativity came to him while he was dreaming. We may not all be geniuses, but, we just might discover the solution to our own problems while we are focused on taking a hike instead. Slowing down and making yourself a priority is not being lazy: it’s a step towards being a successful, grounded, and productive professional. Learning how to set healthy boundaries is key.

SETTING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

1) Put yourself at the top of your own to-do list. If you are constantly expending energy and not adding any fuel to your tank, sooner or later you’ll run out of gas. You’ll have nothing to give to your significant other or your children and you’ll certainly have nothing to give to your career. Taking care of YOU is your top priority!

2) Saying “no” to others is saying “yes” to yourself. What does saying no mean? Don’t always be available to take on the tough assignments or work overtime on the holidays. Don’t automatically reach for the doughnuts just because someone brought them in to work and you don’t want to hurt their feelings. Don’t come into work when you have a contagious cold that others will catch. Caring for yourself, you will have more to give to others.

3) Protect your ch’i (energy). Don’t take on other people’s negativity. People tend to dump their problems and vent their worries on others who allow them to do it. We end up feeling drained while they walk away feeling lighter for unburdening their load on us. Spreading harmful gossip is another energy zapper. Focus on work and taking care of yourself and avoid all energy vampires.

4) Turn on your answering machine. There, I said it. I give you permission to not answer your phone. Whether at work or at home, you have the power to slow down your responses. You might want to let people know–or not–that during the hours of this and that you are not available. Think of how much easier to get your work done if you have a solid chunk of uninterrupted time? You’ll sleep better at home if you stop accepting phone calls from friends or colleagues at least two hours before your bedtime.

4) Leave work at work. It’s a good idea to decompress from the stress at work before you begin interacting with your family and friends. Develop some little routine that becomes your own individual “ritual” to help you make the transition from work life to personal life. Your ritual will be your own. The most important thing is to allow yourself at least 20 to 30 minutes at the end of work to let go of the corporate dramas and get your mind back in touch with your life and what’s important to you. After all, you’re not only a professional. You’re a member of a family,and, you have other interests besides what you do for a living.
Don’t you??!

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