I moved to my new house six months ago. One of the uniquely appealing elements was a partially converted garage with an interior measurement of 6 x 3 m (about 19′ x 10′) that I could see could become a multi-use room. The family joke now is that it is “my domain” to make decisions on setting it up, and after some work this weekend it is almost “there”.
At one end the focus is on music and a large TV. At the other end (beyond the room divider) is a desk looking out onto the garden. In the middle sits the workout area, within which I have now set my bike back up on the trainer ready for the winter months (when they eventually arrive!). Soon I will also have a bike shed so the two bikes at the back will go in there, plus into the loft will go the patio umbrella above the piano, along with the two dining chairs (to be upcycled in due course). In short, the space will be clean and simple, with a few separate functions, but each with a clear space.
In contrast to that simplicity, I love complexity in my work with leaders, and it is often complex as “leadership is about people, end of story” and thus as “business is simple, people are complex”, my working life is a constant source of opportunities and challenges for me and my clients.
As time passes, though, I increasingly appreciate simplicity and clarity when I switch off from work. I particularly find that now in this room, as it is designed to be a space away from the main house where any family member (not just me, it is no “man cave”) can relax, workout, sit at the desk and read, write, work.
Balancing between complexity and simplicity allows me both to feel balanced and also to do my best work when I move back into that complexity space.
What do you do to find such balance?