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Although the name may be unfamiliar to some of us in North America, feng shui (pronounced fung schway) has actually been an important part of Chinese culture for over 3,000 years.

In essence, feng shui is the ancient art of placement and design that's used to balance and enhance the flow of energy in living environments. Feng shui experts believe that by creating harmony and balance in your physical environment, you'll attract good luck and prosperity in all areas of your life.

So what does this have to do with the office? By following this age-old practice, you could improve your productivity and career prospects as well as enhance your success, creativity and wealth.

If you Work at Home:
	Energy enters from the front door, so you should set up your home office in the front of the house to take advantage of the energy flow.

	Once energy enters the house, it always flows upwards. This means it's preferable to be on the entry level or higher instead of in the basement.

	If your home office is in your bedroom, hide the office area with a screen at night so that you don't mix energies when you move from work to sleep.

	If your home office doesn't have a window, brighten up the room with yellow paint, bright lights and pictures of the outdoors.

	If your home office is in the basement, paint the walls and ceilings bright white. Create as much light as possible with bright lighting. Install a fan to get the energy flowing.

If you Work at the Office:
	If possible, place your desk in a position that allows you to sit with your back to a wall or corner. This will create a sense of security. If you must sit with your back to a door, hang a mirror in front of you so you can see anyone coming into the room.

	Avoid placing your desk so that your back is against a window. This position will make you feel as though nothing solid is backing you up.

	Get rid of the clutter! Reducing clutter will begin to clear away unnecessary items in your life and make room for something new and desirable.

	Place a medium-sized rug in the center of your office. A deep blue, black or other dark-color rug is like a deep pool of water upon which to rest the eyes and reflect.

	If you don't have a view of outside from where you sit, hang a plant or a picture of a plant in your line of view to bring the outdoors inside for a calming effect.

Feng shui is more complex than the suggestions outlined above. However, you can use these tips as a simple introduction to this ancient science. Feng shui will help make your workspace more comfortable and even more enticing. If you feel relaxed and at ease in your workspace, creative energy can flow and your overall productivity will improve. If nothing else, you'll simply feel better or more positive while working and you'll reduce the amount of clutter in your workspace.

1. Kirsten M. Lagatree, Feng Shui at Work