The one-time craze for everything Feng Shui, hasn't gone away, it's just much more mainstream and acceptable. What's more, far from being just a home living thing, it also applies to office space environments.

Not only can it make you feel more positive – it's also good for your revenue streams.

Of course, if you're the boss, you can even choose the actual location of your business to meet Feng Shui considerations – however you will need to understand a few basic principles:

The Ba gua
The Feng Shui Ba gua is an octagonal grid divided into nine sections and each section of the Ba gua relates to a key aspect of life, as outlined below:

• The Blessings (wealth) area relates to your financial situation.
• The Illuminations (fame) area relates to your reputation and position in the world.
• The Relationships area relates to your personal and business relationships.
• The Elders area relates to your mentors and older family members.
• The Unity area is the centre of the room and is generally kept free of encumbrances.
• The Creativity area relates to your sources of inspiration.
• The Contemplation area relates to relaxation and meditation.
• The Journey area relates to your destiny or path through life.
• The Friends area relates to both mentors and your contribution to others.

When the Ba gua pattern is placed over the floor plan of a building, it pinpoints the specific areas that influence these nine key aspects.

You can then place symbolic items in the relevant locations to enhance those areas of your life.

In the office

1. Exterior
   The exterior aspect of any building where your business is located is as important as the internal office Feng Shui. If possible, locate your business in a prosperous or established area. The entrance to your building or premises needs to look inviting rather than non-descript. You may need to make some simple cosmetic changes to achieve this effect.
2. Interior
   If you're lucky enough to have your own office, stand at the doorway and map out the areas according to the Ba gua. Your main focus will be your wealth and fame areas (well it would be wouldn't it?) but also pay attention to the other six areas and decorate them accordingly.

Here are some tips to keep the energy flowing in your office:

• Keep your desk diagonal to the doorway or directly facing it, rather than with your back to it.
• Soften sharp angled or protruding walls with plants.
• Break up dull walls with mirrors or paintings.

The Feng Shui elements that are easiest to blend into an office decor are pictures and photographs. Look for pictures that represent the various aspects and display them in the appropriate areas. Very obvious Feng Shui symbols might invite unwelcome questions from visitors or co-workers.

Working from home
It still helps to maintain a professional approach to your business even if working from home.

Use a separate entrance to your home office if at all possible, or use a room near the front or back door of the house or apartment. Take a short walk before entering your office to work each day and another one at the end of your working day. This separates the business and personal aspects of your life.

Place your desk on the corner diagonally opposite to the doorway. Don't place your desk under a window, but let the light reflect on it from the side. Some people prefer to have their desks facing east.

Leave space between your furniture (bookshelves etc.) and the walls. Feng Shui experts suggest leaving a 7-9 inch gap. An important aspect of office Feng Shui is to keep your work space tidy to allow a free flow of energy throughout the room. Differentiate between clutter and storage. Stored items don't have to be catalogued and labelled but they should be stacked neatly in a cupboard or in binders so as not to impede energy flow.

Generally
There is a lot more you can do, but in general Feng Shui makes you more conscious of how your environment influences your state of mind. An uncluttered work space with sufficient room to move will help you think more clearly and productively. Not only that but any form of simplification will also reduce stress and help you focus on the task at hand.