Back To College – Dorm Rooms & Success

In his book Blink, the Power of Thinking Without ThinkingMalcolm Gladwell does an amazing job of indicating just how our surroundings (among other things) influence our behavior.  It’s an easy and enjoyable read about how even phrasing on a simple  test can influence you to wait patiently or be a jerk to the next person you see.   Around page 36 or so, he cites studies done by Sam Gosling, a social psychologist who can positively predict the link between the state of a person’s dorm room and how well they’ll perform in school and in a career.   I love this stuff.

According to Gosling’s studies, organization is one of the key attributes of a dorm room that will indicate success.  Feng Shui takes it further to address how the entire space in which a person lives affects their ability to be safe, creative, organized, relational and self-expressive.

The things we live with, the places we live, determine our lives. In your spaces because your subconscious mind sees it all and brings to you more of what you have around you..learn to look at the words, the shapes, the ‘metaphors’ and place only that which will bring you confidence, happiness and joy.  

If you really want to improve your odds for success this year, take a few minutes to review your dorm through the eyes of Feng Shui.   By placing yourself in a room that is clean, happy and brings you peace you’ll increase your thinking capacity and your success.   

A positive flow of energy and proper setup of your room will boost your chances for a successful year, increases positive outlook on life and builds upon itself to lead to a successful career.

Feng Shui tips will take you farther … or is it further? 

Here are some important tips to get you started:    

1. Power Position:  Place your body in a position in which it feels ‘safe’; this allows you to have access to the higher order thinking parts of our brains.   If we don’t feel safe, we are essentially on ‘alert’: our animal brain takes over and prevents access to the creative and rational thinking part of the brain.  The true power position is this:

  • Furthest in the room, back to a wall, full and commanding view of the entire room and not in ‘line of fire’ between a door and a window.
  • Not directly across from the door, head on a solid wall and not in front of a window.

If this is not possible, make sure that there is something solid placed between the head or foot of the bed and the door or window.  You can also use a mirror  to reflect the view behind you or the view of the door in order to further enhance positive experience of safety, which leads to easier access to brighter thinking.  If you cannot see the door from your bed, place a mirror so that you can reflect who might be entering the room, but don’t let it reflect you.

2. Electricity away from head.  Keep electrical fields as far away from the body as possible. Don’t sleep with your computer or near the refrigerator.

3. Mirrors:  If your chair faces the wall or your back is to the door, place a mirror so that you can see what is behind you but be careful what the mirror reflects as it will double what you see.  Don’t place a mirror reflect the person sleeping in the bed.

4. Blocked Ch’i means lower grades  If you face a wall when you study, place a poster of what is called a ‘long view’: a view of the horizon, whether a nature scene or not.  Not only does this open you up to opportunities, this also calms the body and allows better thinking.

5.  Doors Speaking of opportunity, increase your chances to welcome opportunity into your life by making sure that your doors open completely, with nothing blocking them.

6. Bathroom:  be sure to close the door to the bathroom before you go to sleep.  This will help you sleep more deeply and awake refreshed.

7. TV and electronics are a no-no.  Yikes!  TV’s, Electronics, even books and photos are no-no’s in a bedroom where the sleepers need to be quieted and access a good night’s sleep.  It’s like trying to sleep in the Student Union.  With each night being a party your body can’t rest.  At the very least, try to cover the electronics safely by placing them inside a cabinet or hiding them if you can.  Blue light from TV and computer screens will prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.

8.  Organize and de-clutter.  Straighten and clear your space each night before bed and each morning before leaving.  Be sure the center of your desk and your room stays open and clutter free, which will bring better health and connection.   Little habits like setting up your space so that the laundry bag is out of the room and in closet, or grabbing the trash on the way out the door are simple motions that can save time and effort in the long run.  Check out the free  Clear Your Clutter program for other ways to use the little down-time moments to your advantage.

9. Stress? Negativity?  Only do these things if you can keep them clean and healthy:

  • Add a CLEAN  ‘water feature’ to calm your energy.  Water that splashes slightly will add negative ions to the area, increasing the healthy air. Be sure the water flows toward the center of the room and not out the door or window.
  • Add plants to bring life into your space.  Healthy plants help to remove toxins from the room but make sure they are healthy and well loved.   A fish bowl with a beta fish is a positive introduction of ch’i.

10. Discover which colors, shapes and people support you.  Check out your free Feng Shui energy and your roommate’s and learn which colors will make it easy for you both to remain friends and get the most out of college.  Email me for your free mp3 to learn more about yourself, your colors and your needs.

11. Map Your Spaces – Use the Bagua Map  Look at your room and find out which area is associated with learning (the Wisdom & Knowledge area) and keep this part of your room especially organized.  Place a picture of your mentor or your heroes in the Helpful People area and if you want to be recognized for the great work you do or get that position on the team you’ve been working so hard for, boost the Fame area with photos of you succeeding, a mock copy of your report card showing all A’s or even just something you want to be known for.  Check out:  How to use the Bagua

The things we live with determine our lives.  Look at the words, the shapes, the ‘metaphors’ in your spaces because your subconscious mind sees it all and brings to you more of what you have around you.  Place yourself in a room that is clean, happy and brings you peace and you’ll be so very glad you did.