We often think of “surroundings” as our physical spaces—our bedrooms, offices, or living rooms. But our surroundings also include the language we use to describe our work. Words shape energy. Words shape environment. And in business, words shape how we move through our workflows.
While building SLChristley Designs, I noticed something: certain words energized me, and others drained me. “Admin tasks,” “action items,” “to‑dos”—none of them felt aligned with the way I wanted to lead my business. They felt heavy, transactional, and uninspired.
So, I started paying attention. What words made me feel grounded? What words made me feel creative? What words made me feel like a founder instead of a task‑runner?
That’s when I began renaming parts of my workflow, not to avoid the work, but to create an environment that supported it!
Instead of calling them “tasks,” I started calling them Magic Velvet Items. Velvet is one of my favorite textures, and imagining myself wrapped in something soft and intentional shifted the energy instantly. I wasn’t pretending the work was glamorous—I was giving my daily rhythm a name that reflected purpose, not pressure.
And instead of saying, “I’m working in my office today,” I reframed it as my Business Operations Studio or Command Center. One name made the work feel creative and strategic. The other made me feel like I was steering the ship.
Words create surroundings. Surroundings create energy. Energy shapes how we work.
So here are some energizing alternatives you can use to reframe your own workflow:
Client Experience Hub—for anything that touches customer care Power Systems—for essential, grounding operational work Business Architecture—when you’re building structure, systems, or strategy Creative Infrastructure—for workflows that blend artistry and operations The Engine Room—for the hum of productivity behind the scenes
For example, instead of saying: “I need to work on all this client stuff going on!” You might say: “I’ll be in the Client Experience Hub.”
And here’s the key—your surroundings can support the new language too.
When I’m tackling Magic Velvet Items, I light a vanilla peppercorn candle, turn on cinematic battle‑hero music or calming soundscapes, and display landscapes from Ireland, Iceland, or Scotland on a separate screen. Suddenly, it’s not “admin work.” It’s a sensory sanctuary where systems are born and decisions get made.
If you want to take this even further, here are names and phrases for different types of workflow energy:
Strategic Serenity—for peaceful, powerful decision‑making The Hearth—warm, foundational, essential work The Observatory—for planning, forecasting, and big‑picture thinking The Atelier—for creative development and design The Forge—for building, refining, and strengthening systems
For operational work: “I’m diving into some Backstage Magic.” “I’m tending to my Creative Infrastructure.” “I’m strengthening the Engine Room today.”
For decision‑making: “I’m in Strategic Serenity mode.” “Clearing space for focused alignment.” “Spending time in my strategy rhythm.”
For general workflow: “Today’s focus: The Forge.” “I’m giving myself space for intentional clarity.” “Grit and Grace are on the menu today.”
You don’t always need to force a noun like “tasks” or “work” after the phrase. Sometimes the phrase itself is the environment.
This isn’t about making business whimsical. It’s about creating a language garden—a vocabulary that supports the way you want to feel while you build!
It’s the difference between “checking off a to‑do list” and cultivating a business that feels intentional, grounded, and alive.
It’s soulful reimagining. Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. One word at a time.
Let's create together, Stephanie Christley Founder & Owner of SLChristley Designs All content and creative assets on this site are original to SLChristley Designs and may not be used without written permission.
