How to Spend your Energy & Income while WFH (Designer Special)
Our new episode on “Design Workspace, Energy & Income” explores the importance of looking beyond our digital files and being mindful of our physical environment in order to improve the way we work as Designers.
The way structuring Figma files on our laptops keeps us organised… similarly, shaping our physical environment in the best way possible optimises our productivity. It also gives us mental space & clarity which eventually shows in our work quality! And more often than not, our work surroundings are simply ignored… which sooner or later, takes a toll on our creative abilities!
Look beyond your laptop — there are so many things in your physical reality that are affecting the way you create as well as the ease with which you can create.
How we use our Energy & Capital, two of the most vital resources, ultimately determines our future. In order to know what will work out best for you, you gotta make a list & prioritise your own goals! Remember, be careful to not spend all your energy and capital at once on all of these things. That’s where prioritizing comes to use.
Here’s a list that works for me — check it out and make your own!
- Nutrition & Exercise
- Physical Influencers (Mattress & Pillow)
- Primary Workstation (Laptop, Desk & Bed Table)
- Courses & Books
- Subscriptions & Plugins
- Investments with High Liquidity & Low Risk
- Clothing, Skincare & other Luxuries
It’s so interesting to see how your work is actually a reflection of your internal state; how it radiates your internal energy. If you’re not inspired, it shows in your work — in every field, mind you. So as a designer especially, find your source of creativity, find what inspires you & devour it — so that, that shows in your work too! Spend as much time as you can on nutrition, exercise, and the likes — that is what nourishes your soul! It’s healthy food that fuels your body and mind; it’s your daily exercise that gives your body the energy it needs. It’s surreal to think how everything affects your work. Even 10 minutes of jumping jacks in between a project give your body the energy to work harder, increase productivity & improve work quality!
Lastly, Everything is an investment — mistakes included. Apologies for ending the article with a cliché, but clichés are after all inspired by reality. If you move beyond the cringe, they can actually be very helpful!
The above article is inspired from Ansh Mehra’s ‘Foundations for UX Design Series’ on YouTube. He has compiled some of the most key lessons he’s learnt so far as a self-taught UX Designer, hoping it will help every designer who begins after him.
Apart from YouTube, he discusses Design, Life and the Beyond on his Podcast called Take it Easy on Spotify. You can check out his work on www.anshmehra.com.
