day 199: Space Planning

As I was recently sitting in an airport, I saw a woman who was looking over what was clearly office space planning drawings. I could see the layout of the floor plan and where the cubicles and offices would be lined up and it was obvious that there was a fair amount of time and effort going into ensuring that each workstation had enough room and that the floors were laid out correctly. Today there are professionals who do nothing but this exercise for a living. They take the people and work needs and then try and fit in as many work stations as possible for the greatest work-flow and efficiencies. It seems easy on the surface but the hardest part of space planning are the “social issues”. Social issues are the human (and sometimes petty) influences that creep into the decision making process. Consideration items like; size of footprint of the work space versus the position and title of the person, privacy needs either real or perceived, proximity to the windows, who can hear who and what, who wants to sit next to who and who doesn’t, who gets the new furniture and who keeps their old furniture, will someone be hot or cold in their new area and do they care or not, and the list can go and on. This is the way of work. Moving and changing someone’s workspace can be one of the most time-consuming efforts because as the old adage goes, “the only people who like change are wet babies”. What you learn in space planning is the importance of keeping and knowing the small details and needs of people always front of mind. Like so many times in business, one size fits one, not one size fits all and when we recognize and appreciate this, we are just better at being managers, peers and subordinates. It’s the individual appreciation of giving each person “the space” they need to be themselves. I find it comforting and exciting that Jesus is also thinking of space planning for each of us. He is at work on this for you today, right now as you read this. We see this in John 14: “There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you…” There is an excitement and buzz that gets stirred when we move into a new space. There is also some trepidation and anxiety that comes with the change of routine and familiarity. When we think about the space planning and preparation that God is doing for each of us, there need not be any worry or concern, only enthusiasm and anticipation of a place that has been planned, prepared and personalized specifically for making us eternally happy and joyful. Lean back in your chair for a moment and look around your current workspace. As you do, think and reflect on what it will be like to be in a perfect space, not that far off and then take this feeling of hopefulness and let it fill your day and reflect out to others. Let yourself be in a great space today.

Reference: John 14:2-3 (New Living Testament)