Here’s a real-life story about how Feng Shui allowed someone to take command of their life and open up to greater potential for success – and how this example can help you do the same:

Elaine felt she was ceding too much control to other people, both personally and at work. She also felt like something was hindering the achievement of her goals. She wanted to regain that control and get on the right path to success, and was interested in finding out how Feng Shui could help.

Feng Shui uses many tools to diagnose a person’s space and determine how that relates to what’s happening in his or her life. After analyzing Elaine’s home using Feng Shui’s three fundamental tools (the Bagua Energy Map, the Five Elements, and the balance of Yin & Yang), it was evident there was an additional adjustment that from a Feng Shui perspective, would help her regain the control she felt she’d lost and help to create the success she felt she wasn’t able to achieve.

Her home office was arranged so that when she sat at her desk she faced an attractive view out the window. But in looking out the window she faced away from the entrance to the room. She was literally turning her back on the energies – positive or negative – that entered her space.

Furthermore this arrangement meant she could easily be caught off-guard by things that might be going on in her environment but over which she’d have no control, a literal translation of the “lack of control” problem she’d called me about in the first place. In addition to lack of control caused by her set up, she was also missing the positive energies – causing her to miss potential growth.

The Command Position

It was advised that Elaine’s desk face the door so that when she’s working, she’ll be sitting in what Feng Shui calls the “Command Position.”

The Command Position emerges from our instinctive need to have visible control over our environments. We humans are most comfortable when no one can sneak up on us or surprise us.

A well set up Command Position allows you to observe the entry to your space so you’re in the best location to deal with whatever might be coming through the door. It provides an important metaphor for being in control of your world.

After a few weeks of implementing these changes, Elaine said that this simple change showed her just how much authority she’d been ceding to others. It gave her a powerful feeling of “taking command” of her life. She felt that she was finally on the right track.

The Command Position is one of the simplest, most powerful tools you can use in your space, and it’s the same in any situation. Place an important piece of furniture in the room to face the doorway, but not in a direct line with the door, to give you the widest possible view of the room. You know you’re in this “power spot” when you feel most comfortably in charge of your space.

Putting The Concept To Work

As an example, consider the seat you’re likely to choose in a restaurant: across the room from the entry, with your back to a wall and at a slight angle, giving you a comfortable view of people coming in as well as your fellow diners.

Here’s how to put this tool to work in your living space:

In your family and living rooms, put yourself in command by placing a comfortable chair or couch diagonally across the room from the entry. It’s likely to become the most well-used seat in the room!

In your bedroom, where you spend so much time and are most vulnerable, situate your bed to face the doorway, taking care that it doesn’t face it directly.

Finally, take control of your work life by positioning your desk to face the office door (have you ever seen a CEO whose desk faced away from the doorway?). This is sometimes difficult in small home offices, so if the Command Position isn’t possible use a small mirror to reflect the entry behind you.

Arranging furniture this way is so instinctually comfortable, you’ll feel the difference immediately. Take a look around and try out new room arrangements where it makes sense.

Like Elaine, I think you’ll discover that when you take command of your space, you’re well-situated to take control in your life.

Did you know that good Feng Shui can attract the comfort, balance and energy you need to be truly productive and successful?

I invite you to subscribe to my free monthly newsletter to get great Feng Shui tips that attract success into your life.

NYC Feng Shui consultant Ann Bingley Gallops offers in-depth Feng Shui consultations as well as inspiring seminars and workshops that transform your life by transforming your space.

Learn more from the free resources available at OpenSpacesFengShui.com and find out about Ann’s unique approach to this ancient art: Feng Shui with an MBA!

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