Have you ever looked at your workspace and taken pride in yourself? At how you’ve laid all your equipment out for maximum efficiency?
Perhaps from the outside looking in, it may look like absolute chaos... but as the saying goes, “organization isn’t about perfection; it’s about efficiency, reducing stress and clutter, and unleashing your creativity!”
So whether you lay your tools in a logical manner or a more user-friendly arrangement, organizing your equipment can actually increase your workflow productivity and help you find your jeweler’s flow state.
Here are a few of our personally tried and tested tips on organizing your bench:
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Draw a map of your workplace
Accidents can occur in your workspace due to poorly positioned equipment or even scattered items that can cause you to trip (if you’re clumsy like me). Consider where to properly place your tools, and heavy equipment so you can create a safer, more efficient, and productive workspace. Observe where clutter generally tends to form, and analyze your workflow so you know where things should go. Find “dead areas” or unused spaces. How can you maximize those spaces? Do your tools all have their own homes where you can file them away for future use? -
Treat your bench like the cockpit of a plane
A pilot’s cockpit has everything within comfortable reach (even with all those buttons and knobs everywhere). The GPS, radio, and basic instruments are laid out in an efficient manner so that the pilot can assure a safe and smooth flight for everyone, and avoid critical errors.
Much like a cockpit, sit down at your bench and start moving around like you normally would when you begin the creative process. How comfortable are you? Is everything you need within reach? Are your tools laid out to ensure a smooth flow? If not, consider why and see what changes need to be made. The idea is to prevent extra or unnecessary movements so you don’t stress your mind and body out. Treat your bench like the cockpit of a plane and watch your creativity fly! -
Tailor your workspace to YOU
Pinterest and Instagram-worthy spaces are all the rage these days. But how efficient can aesthetics really be if it’s not working for you? Instead of focusing on how pretty your bench is, look for ways to set up your space to bring out the best in you! Do you need more or less when working? Do you prefer organized clutter or does a clean workspace inspire you more to create something out of nothing? When you have a system that works for you, your jeweler’s flow state will naturally come out and inspiration will spring out left and right.
Put a system in place so whenever you walk into your shop, you feel energized and inspired to create rather than worry about constantly tidying up. By organizing your bench, you are helping yourself out!
Don’t worry about getting it right the first time either. Finding what works for you takes time, patience, and a lot of trial and error. When your tools and equipment have their own homes, you’ll be able to increase your productivity, decrease your stress levels and/or creative blocks, and the more you’ll be able to create!
Do you have any tips on organizing your bench that can be useful to others? Share them with us in the comments section below!
If you’re thinking of building your own workspace, check out our list of available tools to help you get started here!