The Command Position: Why Your Desk Is Making You Anxious

If there’s one feng shui concept that has undeniable psychological backing, it’s the Command Position. This single principle can transform your focus, confidence, and productivity in any workspace.

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What Is the Command Position?

The Command Position (also called the “power position” or 主位) is a placement principle that applies to your bed, desk, and stove—the three most important focal points in feng shui.

The Core Rule

See the door, but don’t be in direct line with it. Have solid support behind you.

This means:

• ✅ Your back is against a solid wall
• ✅ You can see the main entrance from your position
• ✅ You’re not directly in the path of the door (not in the “energy rush” zone)

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The Science Behind It: Your Reptilian Brain

This isn’t mysticism—it’s neuroscience.

Fight or Flight Response

Your amygdala (the brain’s threat-detection center) is constantly scanning for danger. When you sit with your back to an entrance, your primal brain registers this as:

• “Something could sneak up on me”
• “I can’t see potential threats”
• “I need to stay alert”

This keeps your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) subtly activated, even when you’re just answering emails.

The Result?

Symptom	Why It Happens
Background anxiety	Constant low-level threat scanning
Difficulty concentrating	Brain diverts resources to monitoring
Fatigue at work	Sustained stress hormone release
Feeling “on edge”	Nervous system never fully relaxes

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Command Position for Different Room Shapes

Room Type A: Standard Rectangle

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│                             │
│           WINDOW            │
│                             │
├─────────────────────────────┤
│                             │
│    ┌─────┐                  │
│    │DESK │ ← YOU            │
│    └─────┘    (see 🚪)      │
│           ↑                 │
│        WALL                 │
│                     🚪      │
└─────────────────────────────┘

✅ Best: Desk against far wall, diagonal view of door

Room Type B: Narrow Corner Office

┌────────────────┐
│                │
│     WINDOW     │
│                │
├────────────────┤
│   ┌─────┐      │
│   │DESK │←YOU  │
│   └─────┘      │
│         ↑      │
│      WALL   🚪 │
└────────────────┘

✅ Angle the desk to see the door

Room Type C: Open Plan / Studio

┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│                                 │
│   🛋️ LIVING AREA   │  KITCHEN  │
│                    │           │
├────────────────────┼───────────┤
│                    │           │
│    ┌─────┐         │           │
│    │DESK │←YOU     │           │
│    └─────┘         │       🚪  │
│         ↑ BOOKSHELF│           │
└─────────────────────────────────┘

✅ Use bookshelf as "symbolic wall" behind you

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What if I CAN’T Move My Desk?

Real life isn’t always ideal. Here are workarounds:

Mirror Solution

Place a small mirror on your desk or monitor that reflects the doorway behind you. Your brain will register visibility, reducing anxiety.

Symbolic Backing

Can’t have a wall? Add:

• A tall bookshelf behind your chair
• A tall plant as a “living wall”
• A folding screen as a partial barrier

Crystal Cure

Hang a faceted crystal ball between the door and your back. In feng shui, this breaks up rushing energy and creates psychic protection.

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Command Position Checklist

Criterion	Status
Back to solid wall?	⬜ Yes
Can see door?	⬜ Yes
Not directly in door’s path?	⬜ Yes
Light source beside (not behind) you?	⬜ Yes
No beam overhead?	⬜ Yes

If you checked all five: congratulations, you’re in the power position.

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Beyond the Desk: Command Position Everywhere

Your Bed

Same principle. Headboard against solid wall, see the door, not aligned with it.

Your Stove

The cook should be able to see the kitchen entrance while cooking. If impossible, add a reflective backsplash.

Restaurant Seating

Top executives and mob bosses always sit facing the room, back to the wall. It’s instinctual.

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The Productivity Difference

People who switch to command position report:

• 40-60% reduction in “work fatigue”
• Increased confidence in video calls
• Better focus during deep work
• Less startup resistance when sitting down to work

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Curated Command Position Essentials

Set up your power position with these finds:

• Desk Mirror for Behind View – See behind you without turning
• Tall Bookshelf Backdrop – Create backing support in open spaces
• Faceted Crystal Ball – Traditional energy cure
• Ergonomic High-Back Chair – Physical support meets feng shui

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Want to know YOUR best work direction? Use our Kua Calculator to find your personal success direction and combine it with command position for maximum results!