If you were to stop and think of your office for a moment, would you close your eyes and examine the sights and smells or would you see the color? Would you see piles of paperwork or that brown jacket that your secretary wore last Thursday?

I thought so. Human nature, from the earliest beginnings of our lives, has been filled with color. As children, we learned that the sky is blue, the sun is yellow, the treetops are green, and the sand is brown; what we did not learn was how these same colors would grow with us and, ultimately, play a role in our workplace productivity.

The first idea that comes to mind when first considering workplace productivity is “Everything is so black and white.” From typed forms which must be completed to the paper and ink that comes from our office printers, our workplace world can, at times, seem it is nothing more than black and white. But, while this fact may have always seemed to be a source of monotony, the black and white color scheme may be one of the leading reasons we are so productive in the workplace.

In September 2007, Do-It-Yourself-Planner.com issued analysis on what the primary colors mean in our workplace environments. Their analysis concluded that black, brown, cream, red, green and blue were most prevalent in the business culture, worldwide. For example, brown and black shades represent the hard-working, powerful forces in the workplace, such as the staff members in management or other high-ranking positions; whereas, blue hues are seen as a popular variant among women for their smooth, ink-pen like transitions and their soft, yet business-friendliness.

In the field of creative arts, red is a popular color. Despite often being paired with green, in a comparison of profits and losses, red hues in an artistic world signify individuality, passion, and the ability for the employee to go above and beyond the call and away from the typical workplace trends, in an effort to complete the task. Workers who wear red business attire or design their cubicles in red decor have been found to be unafraid to come forward with new ideas, have shown great courage in their workplace approach, and have the ability to rise above the rest of the office.

Cream, as in the color of your basic office paper, represents a myriad of ideals. If the worker stares at the paper, he or she may reflect upon happier days of their youth, as they drew pictures or wrote stories. The cream color, therefore, represents a sense of knowledge. By knowing that effectiveness and individual ideas can be placed on paper and submitted for possible advancement or change, this “knowledge” can lead to better productivity.

Lastly, green is the easiest color for the eyes. A symbol of power, in its reference to money, green also represents the inspirational sense we often find in nature. The solitude we enjoy from taking walks in nature or lounging around our backyards on a summer’s night can carryover into the workplace, if green tones are brought into the workplace as a sign of serenity.

So, the next time you rise from bed and turn on the light, think long and hard about your goals for the workday. Are you in a mood for reflection or a mood for a forward direction? Your success and your answer may very well begin in your closet with your wardrobe’s color choice. Choose wisely and have a wonderful workday!
Copyright © 2007 by Jill Eisnaugle. All Rights Reserved.

Jill Eisnaugle is the author of Coastal Whispers and Under Amber Skies. 
She is also the Resident Poet for KODA-FM "SUNNY 99.1" in Houston, Texas.