Feng shui is a traditional Chinese practice that has become increasingly popular in Western culture over the last decade.

The literal translation for feng shui is “wind” and “water.” Its philosophy is to harness energy forces (chi) and balance natural elements (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood) to create a harmonious environment for the individuals in it. The goal of a room design and layout is to allow chi to flow smoothly inside the space. According to believers, good feng shui can bring good fortune, health, and luck to its inhabitants. Surprisingly enough, sometimes it is also very practical and can results in the improved use of a space or object.

Growing up, I learned about feng shui from my Chinese/Vietnamese family and relatives. No one was an expert on the subject, but they all knew the steadfast rules and basic principles. Unless you have the means to construct your own home or office, it’s difficult to be “feng shui-perfect.” My rule of thumb for every home or office I’ve ever had is to incorporate a few good practices that are both simple and provide a functional benefit. If it brings me good luck, then that’s a bonus.

Here are five tips to help you rein in some positive energy for your office.

1. Place your desk in the command position

The main piece of furniture in any room, should be placed in a location that allows you to have a clear view of the entrance. This is known as the “command” or “power” position. Having a good visual of your room and being able to see anyone or anything gives you more control of your environment–which symbolizes taking control of your career.

An effective command position should also meet the following criteria:

• Be located in the area farthest from the door, allowing you to have the widest view of your room
• Not be in a direct path with the door because it makes you vulnerable to negative or overabundance of energy rushing in
• There should be a wall behind the desk and you (this represents having a strong backing or support)

Luckily, there is usually a “remedy” to help offset poor feng shui. If you cannot achieve a proper command position, then place a mirror on your desk or wall so you can see the door easily. Adding a desk lamp can also help as light creates positive energy  (see more on lighting below).

Tip: I apply this idea to other rooms in the house—it is especially important for the positioning of a bed. I even apply this in settings outside of my home or office. Whether in a conference room or restaurant, I try to pick the seat that puts me in the optimal position.

2. Remove clutter

Avoiding clutter has many obvious functional benefits; you can easily find the things you need when you them, have a more organized-looking workspace, etc. When it comes to feng shui, clutter creates blockages and prohibits chi from flowing freely within a space. Stagnant energy can prevent you from moving forward in your career, create mental blocks, or keep good chi from reaching you. Clutter also creates negative energy that can increase stress and lower productivity. There is also scientific research to help back this up: The Unbearable Heaviness of Clutter.

3. Add a living plant to your space

Plants represent wood. Bringing this element into your office is believed to cultivate growth, bring prosperity, and create harmony. It also nourishes the energy in a room by activating the positive and eliminating the negative.

However, it is important to avoid unhealthy or spiky plants. In feng shui, you should avoid placing sharp, pointy objects around you because it can inflict harmful chi onto its inhabitants.

Fun Fact: A few years ago, I purchased a money tree for my cubicle when I was in line for a promotion. The plant flourished, and I got my promotion within a month. It was the only plant that survived more than a month under my care, lasting for almost two years.

4. Use good lighting

 Lighting is often used in feng shui to remedy problematic areas. Like plants, it also attracts positive energy and diminishes the negative. It represents the fire element and is also the strongest source of yang energy. Yang energy is strong and vibrant, which is excellent for bolstering creativity and increasing productivity.

Not all light created equal. Natural lighting is best because its energy nourishes the room and its inhabitants. When natural lighting is limited, use full-spectrum light bulbs because they simulate outdoor lighting the most. Avoid fluorescent light because it is harsh and creates negative energy. The negative impacts of fluorescents extends beyond feng shui though–they have lonh been scrutinized for their adverse effects on our health.

It is important to have ample lighting but not go overboard. Remember that good feng shui is require balance, and in this case, the balance of yin (darkness) and yang (light).

5. Use artwork to amplify your space

Artwork is also another item in the feng shui toolkit used to promote good energy and remedy issues. When used in the office, they should motivate you and represent the goals you want to achieve. Here are some commonly used images and what they symbolize for the Chinese:

Mountains: Support or backing (typically place on the wall behind the desk)
Water: Prosperity, the flow of income
Fish: Prosperity, abundance
Rooster: Deflects bad energy

You can also put up quotes that inspire you and bring positive vibes.

Regardless of whether you choose to incorporate any of these feng shui ideas, the most important thing is that you do what makes you comfortable and happy in your space. Have fun!

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The new year brings hope for greater things.

It’s been a few years since I’ve made new years resolutions. Ambition is great, but being reasonably ambitious is even better. My approach for 2021 is to keep my resolutions simple and achievable. Here are my top 8.

1. Read more books

I’m in the middle of several books right now and hope to finish them soon. But, I’ve found it challenging to sit down and completely immerse myself in a good read. Before college, I could easily finish a book within a few days. In the summer, I would walk two hours round trip to the library and lug home a heavy bag of books in each hand. I read while I ate and even read with a flashlight under the covers when I should have been sleeping. I’d love to rekindle my passion for reading.

Goal: 1 book a month

2. Write more for pleasure

Recently, I came across writing I did in high school and was pleasantly surprised by my creative writing abilities during that time. I always faced my writing assignments with enthusiasm and also enjoyed writing poems and short stories for fun. After college, I fell out of practice — only writing emails and other short-form content. This new blog is my first step to set this resolution in motion.

Goal: Create three blog posts a month between all my blogs; journal at least once a week

3. Hydrate and eat well

2020 was the healthiest I’ve ever been. It resulted from not dining out because of the pandemic and making better food choices due to my pregnancy. For the first time in many years, my cholesterol was within a normal range. I also worked hard to keep hydrated during and after my pregnancy. My goal is simple — keep up with the great work.

Goal: Drink at least 9 cups of water a day; track daily food and water intake

4. Exercise regularly

I listened to a Ted Talk recently that resonated with me: The Brain-changing Benefits of Exercise. Working out has always been a challenge for me, but I believe that pairing a healthy diet with regular exercise is essential for physical and mental health. My primary source of exercise has been walking my dog, and I would like to be more consistent with that routine. The treadmill will be my new best friend when it’s too cold outside. I also want to incorporate more intense workouts throughout the week.

Goal: 30 mins of intense workout three times a week 

5. Craft more

I decided to teach myself how to sew about ten years ago after being inspired by all the handmade goods I saw at the farmers’ market and boutique shops in Fremont (Seattle). I became addicted to the hobby for a couple of years, accumulating shelves of fabric and bins of supplies as a result. I even started a crafting blog. Eventually, I shifted focus on other things and lost the momentum. I started sewing and crafting again last year, creating and designing toys for my baby. Every finished project was so rewarding.

Goal: Complete one DIY projects a month

6. Less screen time

I spend my workday in front of my laptop and multiple monitors. After work, I play catch-up on social media and communications on my phone. In my downtime, I enjoy watching TV — all while browsing on my phone. As a result, I don’t take too many breaks for a screen. I worry about my screen time because of frequent exposure to blue light and how it may affect my eyes and sleep. It also distracts me from my family. Limiting my phone usage is the easiest for me to control, so setting screen time limits will help me be more mindful.

Goal: Reduce screen usage by 20%

7. Sleep more

Hopefully, reducing screen time and blue light exposure will help with my sleep cycle. I also have a newborn, and his sleep schedule doesn’t agree with mine yet. I have always been a night owl and am used to operating with little sleep, but I know this is not healthy or sustainable (remember when I mentioned all the reading I used to do in the dark when I was younger?). The key will be to wind down for the evening at a more reasonable time.

Goal: Go to bed by midnight on the weekdays.

8. Focus more on family

I find it difficult to resist working late. I tend to hyper-focus on my work tasks, and I’m a workaholic. After work, I often jump right into a pet project and also spend a good part of my weekends doing the same. I need to be better at balancing work, hobbies and family. Work and hobbies are fulfilling, but family is the most important at the end of the day.

Goal: Spend quality, uninterrupted time with the family on the weekends and two evenings during the weekdays.

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Sometimes the simplicity of pen to paper is the best way for me to visualize and organize my thoughts and ideas.

At one of my corporate jobs, I had to meet regularly with one of the C-suite members. She came to every meeting with her laptop and a printed document. When I saw her in the hallway, she was always carrying around that document. When I asked her about it, she told me that it was part of her daily routine. She would print out her schedule for the day and note all the important things she didn’t want to forget throughout the day. This simple document helped her organize her day and thoughts. For some reason, this always stuck with me.

I thought about her recently when I was trying to find a way to improve my time management. I was getting tired of bouncing between different apps on my phone and laptop — all while juggling the daily grind of work, a newborn, four pets, housework and personal hobbies. If the old school paper and pen were effective in helping a C-level executive manage her day, then it should be good enough for me too. Plus, I’ve always preferred a physical to-do list. The act of crossing a completed task is so satisfying.

The Not-So-Basic To-Do List

A basic to-do list wasn’t quite what I envisioned though. I wanted a format that captured my schedule, to-dos and tracked my daily food and water consumption. I found different templates online, but they were never just quite what I had in mind. I eventually gave up and decided that I needed to hit the drawing board and design my own agenda layout.

After tweaking it a little every time I used it, I finally settle on a format that worked best for me. I still use my various apps, but this daily view helps me step back and assess my day at a glance. I like to print out my template the night before, so I wake up in the morning ready to go. I’m sharing my template in hopes that it might help someone else out too. Enjoy!

Daily Agenda

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