Tips for working smoother and more harmoniously

Ask anyone and they'll tell you that an unhappy work environment can be one of life's most miserable experiences. It's isolating, it's uncomfortable, unproductive, and it can also block your progress in life. That's because work, like everything else, often relies on good will.

That is, the good will of coworkers and bosses alike can help propel your career and business. Likewise, ill will and anymosity can create obstacles to career success and make every day you show up for work a pretty miserable eight-hour (or longer) experience.

Fortunately, feng shui offers some techniques for improving work relationships and making them more harmonious and hospitable. So, if your career has stalled and every day you go to work is an excercise of endurance you'll want try the following.

Tip No. 1 Don't directly confront your boss

Look at your desk arrangement to see if it is facing your boss's directly. Even if you are across the building, if your boss's desk is facing west and yours is facing east, and you could draw an imaginary straight line to his or her desk, then you are in a confrontational position. It's always better to have your boss "at your back" so that you are supported by this person.

Tip No. 2 Ground your relationships with superiors with a gold mountain

Creating your own "mountain of gold" will give you opportunities, help from benefactors, and create great good will with superiors by "grounding" your relationship. Place your mini mountain in the northwest corner of your office. (Find this corner by standing in the center of your office and locating the center with a compass -- don't guess!).

To create your mini gold mountain, purchase a large round glass candle holder. It is important that this plate is made of glass. The plates are those flat glass rounds that hold candle arrangements. Next, paint a mixture of small stones gold with spray paint. Arrange these stones on the plate to resemble a small gold mountain.

Tip No. 3 Make your relationships with your boss smooth

Create an arrangement of crystal, glass, or snowglobe spheres in the center of your office to smooth out relationships. In addition to helping with superiors, these balls will also help smooth out relationships with coworkers as well. Alternatively, you may also wish to display a crystal vase, remembering to leave it empty so it can collect auspicious relationship energy. By the way, I am a big fan of the TV show, the West Wing. Next time you see the President's desk, notice that he has cyrstal balls on his desk!

Tip No. 4 Activate your office according to your boss's gender

If you have an older male boss, activate the northwest. If you have an older female supervisor, activate the southwest. Both can be activated by creating a mini gold mountain. Alternatively, both can be enhanced by a globe of the earth.

Tip No. 5 Activate your office according to your supervisor's age

If your boss is male activate the east corner of the office with plants, flowers, a ficus tree, or a picture of these things. For amale the same age, activate the north corner of your office with a fountain. For male bosses who are younger than you, activate the northeast with a crystal ball, geode, or crystal vase.

If your boss is female and is older than you, active the southeast with some small plants or flowers. If your supervisor is the same age, activate the south with red. If your boss is younger, place metal objects, such as windchimes, radios, fans, etc., in the west corner of your office

Rule No. 6 Enhance your own luck by activating the lucky corner of your office

The corner that is diagonal to the doorway to your office is considered the lucky conrer. People who don't activate this corner are missing important opportunities to influence their career luck and the appeal of their offices to their coworkers and supervisors.

If your lucky corner is south: Place a tall tree or large plant here

If your lucky corner is east or southeast: place an aquarium or fountain here

If your lucky corner is north: Hang a large 6-rod hollow windchime here or metal vase

If your lucky corner is northwest or west: Add a large stone, globe, or cluster of crystals on a marble stand here

If your lucky conrner is southwest or northeast: Place a tall floor lamp here

Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter feng shui e-zine and is dedicated to helping her readers develop successful, prosperous, and supportive environments with feng shui. To subscribe, logon to www.redlotusletter.com and receive this special report Fr*ee "16 Feng Shui Secrets for Greater Prosperity."

kweber@redlotusconsulting.com