This year is unlike any year that we have taught, whether you are teaching in-person or virtual. As a result of the changes this year, we have to rethink our workspaces. Some of us are creating workspaces at home and others are having to redesign their classroom layouts in order to accommodate the new guidelines or needs.  Whatever the case, your workspace is like your hub or home-base, and it is more important now than ever before to define your space so that it works for you and the ever-changing needs of the time that we are living in.    ESTABLISHING A FUNCTIONAL WORKSPACE What makes a workspace functional? A functional workspace is a space that allows you to work at your very best by increasing your productivity. A functional workspace is also organized and clean so that you can work efficiently. Materials are laid out in a way that they are easily accessible and comfort is a priority to ensuring your mind and focus is where you need it to be.  Keep in mind that this workspace does not have to be a desk. This is simply a designated space where you will be working that will help to notify and signal to your brain that you are focused on a specific task.    Why is this important? So why are functional workspaces so important? Having a functional workspace is going to help you in prioritizing your “stuff”. This will then allow you to increase your productivity in order to get the most done out of your day. Let’s face it, we have A LOT going on right now. Our situations are constantly changing and in order to stay on top of the constantly moving field that we are in this year, we need to ensure that our workspaces are functional.    How do we create a functional workspace? Step 1: Choose a designated workspace Step 2: Set up your necessary technology Step 3: Create a list of materials for each task Step 4: Organize materials in your workspace Step 5: Maintain your workspace   CONCLUSION Your workspace provides you with an area to establish routine, hold essential items that you will use on any given day, and create a space where you are able to focus to get your tasks done. Taking the time to define your space will increase your productivity. Just remember that as you work, you may need to periodically restructure or evaluate the needs of your workspace. Just as our lives change, our workspace may also need to adjust to accommodate those changes.    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes! Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!