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Unblock ch’i at the workplace

While the yang aspect helps in gaining an advantage over competitors, the yin application helps in achieving job satisfaction

RAVI CHADHA

A popular Chinese belief is: “First destiny, second luck, third feng shui, fourth virtues and fifth education.” While you have no control over your destiny and little control over your luck, you can definitely have an impact on the quality of your life by harnessing the other three areas.

Many of you spend a large part of your lives at work and your surroundings there are as important as those in your home. It is accepted that the energies of the home and the place of work are not independent of each other, and if something is not working well in one, it will affect the other. If relationships at home are not very happy, it could be because of a problem in the office, which could be stemming from lack of harmonious relationships there. For all you know, the problem could simply be a blockage of ch’i, resulting from the position of your desk in office.

Feng shui can help in the office environment in two ways. The more direct and yang approach is aimed at making the business function efficiently and prosper, as also gaining an advantage over competitors. The second yin application is to help improve job satisfaction, foster harmonious working relationships and provide a relaxed, stress-free environment in which personal careers can develop.

Virtues are the way in which you relate to people or respond to situations, and your personal energy has an important role to play in this. The energy of an office can be dramatically improved if its occupants respond to each other in a positive way and cooperate with one another. Your relationships with your colleagues will influence your happiness and performance at work. Education in childhood may vary in quality and some are privileged with an early education of a high standard. However, as you grow older, you tend to take more responsibility for your education and take steps to improve your knowledge, skills and expertise to enhance your career. You can also apply feng shui to create an environment that will support you and enable you to make progress.

The factors that affect the energies at work are both external and internal. The buildings you inhabit are part of a wider environment that can have a profound effect on how you operate within them. Their location, what they are surrounded with, and even their shape can make you feel comfortable and have a great impact on your clients.

While the location of the building or office is not normally something over which you would have control, its internal layout can make a great difference to the way people feel and behave. Besides, awareness of the problems that could be affecting you will enable you to take counter measures to create a stimulating and nurturing environment.

Consider the ease with which you found the office; the first impression on seeing its surroundings; the entry or approach; once inside the reception area, the way you are received—all these are indicative of the overall character and energy of the company and the people who run it.

Feng shui can help improve some of these aspects, if you follow the simple guidelines given below:

Address for identification

So often, you have a business address in hand, but spend a long time trying to locate the office. Many buildings do not have a number displayed prominently outside. On arrival at an office, you should be able to establish instantly that you have arrived at the right place. If the business occupies the whole building, a large sign should be visible from the road; however, a smaller sign that is in proportion to the entry should also be placed at the entrance point. If the business shares the building with other tenants, a name-plate should be prominently displayed outside and again on the inside to indicate its exact location. Instructions on the wall facing the lift with directions to visitors will make it easier for them to approach you. If a business is situated in an awkward location, a small guide map is very helpful and reflects the genuine consideration the company feels towards its clients and associates.

Sign boards

Lettering should be in legible colours and preferably balanced as per the five elements. Three or five colours are preferred—three represents growth and five represents stability. Signs should be placed in a manner that they attract and draw people towards them—this is especially useful for retail establishments. Signs should be in proportion to the building and should be securely fastened.

Logos

The images portrayed on a logo are important. The image should reflect the type of business you are in. Squares and circles are recommended, as well as images that denote an upward energy or movement. Sharp images and points should be avoided, the upward pointing arrow being the exception. Again colours should follow the five-element theory and should be balanced.

Communication systems

Today, effective communications are vital in running a successful organisation. The first point of contact usually is a telephone call and, very often, also the first stumbling block. Bored and unenthusiastic operators answer in a fashion that makes it difficult to even understand the name of the company being muttered.

The visiting card, company stationery and sometimes the brochures are other means of establishing contact. The names, telephone numbers and the address should be clearly printed.

Since the location, the situation and type of building you may be working in is beyond your control, it is the inside with which you are more concerned. In the next few articles, I shall provide guidelines on how to harness the energies inside the office to enhance your potential at work.

(For feng shui queries and consultation, you can contact Ravi Chadha at: fengshuitoday@rediffmail.com)