What is space management?

A simple Google search shows the term is generally used to refer to the management and utilization of work space on an organizational level. It deals with considerations such as the amount of space an organization has, occupancy information, and spatial plans.

However, here I use the term to refer to the management of the space in one’s home within the context of remote work. In the face of the Coronavirus pandemic, the majority of work has shifted from being done at one’s place of employment to one’s living space. Prior to the pandemic, people grew accustomed to doing certain activities in their home, perhaps none of which was work. Now, people have had to deal with the readjustment of their home space being converted into their work space, and all the stress that goes along with this readjustment.

Why is space management so important?

As our minds became accustomed to various spaces within our home being dedicated to leisurely activities, when work suddenly encroaches upon said spaces, it takes time and effort to recondition our minds. Without this conditioning our minds will be less focused, which will lead to gradually decreasing levels of efficiency, both in one’s work life and home life. However, by conditioning our minds to only do certain tasks in delegated spaces, there is a space for everything. This creates a greater sense of order in our homes, which results in optimized levels of efficiency.

How does space management work?

The main idea behind space management is to dedicate specifically defined physical spaces to specific activities. By doing so, we condition our minds to focus on those specific tasks while in those physical spaces, which helps to increase focus and maximize our efficiency while carrying out those tasks. Those physical spaces are as follows:

• Sleep Space
• Exercise Space
• Creation Space
• Recreation Space

Sleep Space

It could perhaps be argued that nothing is more important in ensuring our overall level of well-being than good quality sleep. If we do not get good quality sleep, our bodies do not fully recover from the exertion of the day before. Over time, bad sleep can truly take a toll on one’s mind and body.

How do we guarantee that we get good quality sleep? Do nothing else in bed other than sleep. Fight the temptation to watch movies or catch up on your favorite tv show in bed. Move your late night snacking elsewhere. Go to your desk when you want to do work. By treating your bed as a space for rest and nothing else, when you lay down at night you’ll fall asleep faster, easier, and get much better sleep.

Exercise Space

The human body has two basic types of energy that we function with: mental and physical energy. It is undeniable that these two energies affect each other, both negatively and positively. Mental fatigue can lead to low levels of physical energy. Compromised levels of physical health can lead to brain fog and decreased cognitive function.

How do we maintain desirable levels of mental and physical energy? Exercise! Our minds do not have a simple on/off switch and thus it is much more difficult to recharge our brains. Our bodies on the other hand are much easier to maintain. Routine physical activity can lead to  increased physical health, which in turn improves our mental energy. By dedicating a physical space to just exercise, you create a space solely for exercise that motivates you to get up and move once you step into it.

Creation Space

At the heart of human existence is the need to feel a sense of worth. We need to do things with our time that make us feel that our lives have some value to it. Without this sense of self-worth, one just simply exists as a shell of a human; our lives would begin to feel meaningless. Only through “value creation” for ourselves and for those around us are we living, rather than simply existing.

The Creation Space is the space for this “value creation”. For different people in different phases of their lives, the Creation Space will be used differently. For those pursuing higher education, this space should be used as your study station: do your homework here, study for exams here, carry out remote group meetings here. For those in the workforce, this space should be your work station: get your work done here, have your cloud meetings here. However each individual strives to bring value to his or her life, this is the space to do it in. No other tasks should be carried out in this space otherwise one runs the risk of distractions and decreased levels of efficiency.

Relaxation Space

Humans are not machines; we can not work nonstop. We not only need rest, but we also need a plethora of different kinds of activities in our lives to feel a sense of happiness. It is important to work to add value to our life, but it is perhaps equally important to do things simply because they bring us joy. Through the joy we experience from our leisurely activities, we are able to replenish our mental and spiritual selves.

The Relaxation Space is the perfect place for these kinds of activities. This space is perhaps the most flexible of all four spaces since it doesn’t need to be as clearly defined as the other three, nor does it need to be limited to one physical space in the home. All other activities that do not fall under the categories of rest, exercise, or value creation can be done in this space. Reading social media feeds, catching up on the day’s news, watching movies or your favorite tv shows, playing video games, reading a book, listening to music, the list is endless. Whatever you enjoy doing with your time when you are in relaxation mode can be done in this space.

Conclusion

In these special times where we’re confined to the four walls of our homes, it is paramount to pay close attention to how we organize our space and how we spend our time in it. Only by practicing discipline in carrying out specific tasks in specifically delegated spaces can we create a sense of order for ourselves that the pandemic has taken away from us. The increased levels of efficiency in all aspects of our work life and personal life will be well worth the trouble.

Source:

CGP Grey. Lockdown Productivity: Spaceship You. YouTube. May 2020.