It appears that if you “love the space you’re in,” it might just love you back… with an increase in work flow and cash flow.

“Beauty creates energy,” as my entreprenurial sister says, and she tells me her newly designed and de-cluttered office space is helping her generate more money and implement better systems.

Hmmm. Can a change of environment lead to a change in income?

I recently read about a study that found farmers’ profits were closely correlated to the size and comfort of the their office. When they increased the square footage and improved the furnishings (desk, files and couch) in their work space, their productivity and profitability also increased.

Similarly, it’s likely no coincidence that CEOs or high-level executives get the corner office with spectacular views – a big, beautiful work space inspires big, profitable thinking (at least that’s the theory).

Different spaces create different outcomes.

That’s certainly been true for me. As a writer, I need a quiet space with a decent amount of light. I recently moved my office from a small, ground floor room to a loft overlooking the river and a few towering ash trees, where the sun streams in through a large picture window.

In my new room with a view, my creativity has flourished, and ideas and inspiration flow freely.

A friend of mine, a life coach, recently spent a few weeks (not days, weeks) de-cluttering and organizing her office. Clearing away the distractions and chaos cleared her thinking, and freed up a lot of time and energy. She has never been more productive, and her newly found focus and clarity has allowed her new business to thrive.

The space we’re in matters. What surrounds us can either fuel us or drain us.

All space has energy, and we are different people in different spaces. We don’t behave, act or feel the same way in a stadium as we do in a cathedral.

Nor do we feel the same way working in a cubicle as we do in a light-filled office with a door and some privacy.

Space is not only the area between borders and walls; it is the ambience, the light, the air and the energy that creates harmony and contentment in our surroundings.

Sometimes the space we’re in changes everything – including our happiness, creativity and results.

Think about where you work, and feel, best.

If you’re feeling stuck, unproductive or uncreative, do you need a change of space?

Lately I’ve been reading about the huge trend in recycling salvaged wood, glass or entire buildings into something new, and it reminded me of an eco-inspired project in London that is definitely on track — converting recycled Tube carriages into office space.

Known as Village Underground, six wildly-painted retired train cars sit perched on an abandoned railway viaduct, high on the skyline of London’s Shoreditch district. When I discovered the project, as part of London’s Open House Weekend last fall, I thought it was a modern art installation. I was surprised  (and inspired) to find it’s actually affordable, and well-used, studio space for artists.

The brainchild of Auro Foxcroft and Nicholas Laurent, the recycled space is not only creative, but also sustainable as solar power runs the lighting and office equipment.

Village Underground is a brilliant example of combining ecology, building and design. When you approach the colourful trains it’s like a high-impact collision between contemporary art and architecture. And it gives a whole new meaning to going to work on the Tube.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and we’re reminded (everywhere!) to tell the ones we love how much they mean to us. But how about injecting some love into your job, career or business?

When you combine a passion for what you do and with a little love for those you work with or those you serve, you create “loverage.”

I read about loverage in The One Minute Millionaire, whose authors say the enlightened path to wealth has three easy steps: “Do what you love; add enormous value; loverage it.” And when you walk that path millions will follow.

Human action is propelled by emotion. When you love what you’re doing, good ideas evolve into great value, people notice – and if they connect emotionally – they act, buy and rave. From there, success rushes in like valentines in a kindergarden class as your clients, customers or fans just can’t get enough of what you have to offer. Irresistibility is a good thing.

People buy from people they know, like and trust. I’d go a step further and say that we buy from companies (people) that we respect, love, and trust.

High-passion entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk defines the best marketing strategy ever this way: Care.

Love is the new way of doing business, as Kevin Roberts says, author of Lovemarks. “The idealism of love is the new realism of business. By building respect and inspiring love, business can move the world.”

When inspiring businesses connect with inspired consumers, the economic possibilities are endless. Just look at the world of Apple.

So here’s to powering up your passion, business and life by:
doing what you love + value to others + loverage = wild success.

That’s better than chocolate.