Few things affect our productivity as much as what we surround ourselves with. Yet most of us rarely take the time to step back and really analyze our working environment. Instead, we take a ‘set it and forget it’ approach to where we work. Whether you’re at home, in a shared space, or hanging out a coffee shop there are quick and easy fixes to help make your work space work for you.

• Find places that inspire you. You might not be in a position to choose your workspace, but there are quick fixes: look for a spot with natural light from a window or skylight, take a walk outside when you feel stuck, or simply explore a new location. A new environment can quite literally lead to new ideas.

• Task association. This is when your brain knows that when you’re in a certain place, you’re taking a certain action. Take advantage of the way different locations affect you. Our brains love habits, and if we can associate certain qualities with different places, it can help us get into a better working flow.

• Designing for laziness. If you want to create a workspace that’s productive, focus on making it easier to do the things you want to do, and harder to do the tasks you don’t. Our brains have been taught to conserve energy at all costs and make subconscious decisions for us based entirely on how hard or easy it is.

• Noise and productivity. If you can’t find a spot that’s silent, noise cancelling headphones or music that drowns out speech can help regain that focus, especially if you work in shared spaces or offices. The sounds around you and the music you listen to can have a huge impact on your productivity.

When it comes to nature versus nurture in how we work, nurture almost always come out on top. The habits we’ve formed and the triggers we surround ourselves with can have a huge impact on the quality of work we do and how much we get done in a day. But with a bit of mindfulness and tweaking we can create the kind of space that helps us get into flow quickly and more often.