Your Workspace Is Working Too
Why the places where we spend our workdays matter more than we might realize.
When I opened Good Company, I knew I wanted it to be a place where people could get work done.
But I also wanted it to be a place where people actually liked spending time.
That's led to decisions big and small. Comfortable chairs. Original art on the walls. Music in the background. Natural light. Windows that open. Quiet spaces when you need them and other people nearby when you don't want to work alone.
Even what's outside the front door matters to me.
Which made me curious:
How much does our work environment actually affect us?
When many of us set up a place to work from home, we probably start with practical questions.
Can I fit a desk here?
Is the Wi-Fi reliable?
Is there an outlet nearby?
Can I take a video call without revealing the clutter behind me?
All important.
But there are other questions worth asking.
Do I like being here?
Does this space give me energy or drain it?
Is there anything interesting to look at?
Can I see daylight? Get some fresh air?
Do I encounter other people during my day?
It turns out our surroundings aren't quite as passive as they seem.
Research with office workers has found connections between daylight exposure and sleep and wellbeing. Studies of indoor air quality have also found links between ventilation and cognitive performance.
Even what's hanging on the walls may play a role. Research into art in the workplace suggests it can contribute to connection, conversation, and the overall experience of a space.
None of that gives us a formula for the perfect workspace.
People are different.
Some want music. Some want quiet.
Some settle into one comfortable spot for hours. Others need to move around.
Some get energy from conversation. Others love the quiet focus of working alongside people without needing to interact much at all.
And what we need can change from one day to the next.
The environment is part of the workday.
Art is a personal priority for me, so I knew I wanted original work by local artists to have a place at Good Company.
One thing I didn't anticipate was how often the art would spark a conversation.
People stop and look. They ask about a piece. They notice when something new goes up. And every once in a while, someone connects with a piece enough to buy it and take it home.
I think those little things count.
So does daylight coming through the windows. A chair you actually want to sit in. A little music. Being able to open a window when the weather cooperates.
And then there's what's outside.
Being in downtown Marlborough means you can step out for coffee or lunch, take a walk, run an errand, or simply see some life happening around you.
A workday doesn't have to happen entirely within the four walls surrounding your desk.
The same idea applies when we bring people together.
If you're asking a group to spend two, four, or eight hours thinking, planning, making decisions, or solving a problem, the room isn't just where the meeting happens.
It's part of the experience of the meeting.
Is everyone comfortable?
Can you get up and use a whiteboard?
Is there daylight?
Can you step away for a few minutes or walk out for lunch together?
Those things might not appear on the agenda.
But I suspect they affect the day anyway.
One More Thought
We spend a lot of time thinking about the work we're doing.
Maybe it's worth paying a little more attention to what's around us while we're doing it.
A workspace doesn't have to be beautiful or perfectly designed.
But if we're going to spend a big part of our lives there, I think it's fair to ask:
Do I actually like being here?
I'm Curious...
What makes a workspace feel good to you?
Daylight? Quiet? Music? Art? Other people? A really good chair?
Or something I haven't thought of yet?
I'd genuinely love to know.
Until next time,
Harmony Larson
Founder, Good Company Workspace
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