Like pretty much everyone else who works in the tech or related spaces I spend most of my days sitting and even with an Aeron chair it is bad for the back. So I always looked with interest when Lifehacker and similiar blogs ran memes on workspaces set-ups - especially for SOHO's (people working from home).
The point was made again at the Creativity and Innovation conference that I have just returned from - but in a slightly different context. A speaker called Rolf Smith made the point that if you need to think creatively then stand up - sitting down is not a good position to be creative from.
So this morning (and without procrastination or spending money - very unlike me :-)) I reworked my home office so that I am now standing at my keyboard and monitors. I will continue to post on how this works out.
Almost immediately I can see that I will not be able to stay in position for long periods of time and that is great as all the advice say that you should frequently shift position so that your body (and mind) get a break. However when you are sitting laziness usually kicks in and I have spent hours at a time without moving at all. Standing up is going to be different - I can feel the need to move slightly to relieve the pressure on my feet!
keith
Keep us posted. I always stand and walk around the office when I'm thinking strategy or doing creative work. This idea sounds right. But is it any better standing all day rather than sitting all day? Do you get tired (physically) from being on your feet?
Posted by: Eoghan McCabe | October 18, 2007 at 15:28
So far - yes I do Eoghan! Mind you it is so fundamentally different that it will take a while to get used to it - and then see how I am reacting to it
keith
Posted by: keith bohanna | October 18, 2007 at 15:42
How about a high stool as a compromise, something a little different. Myself and John used to wander around the office with juggling balls or stand around the kettle in doing "creativity work" as Eoghan puts it. I still need to do it and I'm thankful for the larger office space because of it as sitting down all day gradually becomes a pain in the arse... no pun intended!
Posted by: Ken McGuire | October 18, 2007 at 17:21
Or a bar stool (which has also been suggested offline :-)
keith
Posted by: keith bohanna | October 18, 2007 at 17:30