We sit at our desk for the majority of our days, so why not make the most of it. Below are the five things that you NEED for your desk, whether it’s at home or in an office. They will amplify your work space and (hopefully) increase your productivity.
A Personal Notebook
I’m sure a lot of you have piles of papers, note pads, notebooks, etc. on your desk. Maybe they are stuffed in a drawer by your desk. Maybe they are on the floor next to your desk. All one in the same. The papers and note pads are necessary for your work/professional notes, but when it’s about 3:00 pm and you’re starting to lose it, you begin jotting down a grocery list on your note pad. Then the next day, you can’t find your grocery list anywhere because it’s stuffed down in a pile of papers on your desk. Yeah… I’ve been there too.
Keeping a personal notebook on your desk will benefit you for a couple reasons. One, it allows you to write down lists or ideas in an organized fashion while you’re working (because they are all in the same notebook and not floating around on random sheets of invoices). Second, it puts something personal on your desk. It sounds so simple, but it really does make a difference. It gives you that subtle connection to your life outside of work that will help your mind stay focused on the bigger picture. It’s important that it’s not just a photo of your family or your favorite pen. A notebook is more personal – especially when you start to fill the pages. For bonus points, get a notebook that you love. If you love a 5-star college-ruled spiral notebook from Office Max, you do you. Mine will be covered in pretty colors and flowers.
My favorite right now is the Day Designer Planner made by Blue Sky because I can use it both as a planner and a personal notebook. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/4mpUlkY.
A Charger Stand
It might be one of my biggest pet peeves when I’m sitting at my desk and (a) I can’t find my phone, or (b) my phone needs to charge but the chord is under the desk and doesn’t reach far enough so that the phone can sit on my desk (or I don’t even have a spare outlet to plug a charger into… my desk is a full lot). This charging stand has changed that for me. My favorite part about it is that my phone is propped up so I can see when I get a notification. That way, I am not constantly clicking on my screen or turning my phone over to see if anyone has contacted me. Thinking about whether I have notifications unnecessarily takes up a lot of focus when I’m working. This eliminates that. I know it can be distracting sometimes seeing all of the notifications light up your phone, but when that happens to me, I just throw my phone on a focus mode until I’m ready to connect with the online world again. (P.S. Do Not Disturb is my best friend.)
The one I have been using also has a space to charge my Apple Watch and my Airpods. All of my electronics charging in one place? That’s like organization perfection. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/4p1auiz.
Working Highlighters
Hear me out on this one… how many highlighters, markers, or pens could you find in your work space right now that don’t even work? Probably a lot. Time to test your supplies, throw out the ones that don’t work, donate any you don’t need, and restock with what you will use. You might be thinking right now that you don’t need to do this because you won’t use highlighters anyway… but you will! When you have working ones! Not only is it convenient to have highlighters that actually work on your desk, it is also important to have office supplies and to keep them organized. Why? Because having an organized area that looks like a workspace (symbolized by highlighters and other supplies) will make you feel more prepared when you sit down at your desk. It triggers something in your brain that flips on work mode. But it’s not a chaotic work mode. It is relaxed, prepared, and ready to highlight! (Joking, but serious.)
The best highlighters are ones that don’t run, smudge, or bleed through. After many attempts, I have found that these Sharpie pens past the test: https://amzn.to/4mx8MUs.
Post-It Notes
I know it’s simple. I know it’s self-explanatory. But they are a necessity.
Sometimes, you need the extra reminder to call someone back or schedule that meeting or even attend a meeting for that matter. A post-it note is quick and easy for you to write the little reminder and stick it on your wall or computer screen. There is no forgetting. There is no question. The post-it is there.
Also, I like to use post-it notes around my work space for little affirmations. I have had one up for years now that reads “You will pass the bar.” It’s pretty cheesy, but I like it. Like I said earlier with the personal notebook, it keeps me grounded and focused on the bigger picture. Here’s your reminder that leaving yourself little notes and motivational quotes is not weird, it is cool and normal for human beings to need a little pep in our step. I especially like the smaller pads (like these: https://amzn.to/4lzagMs) for my desk because they don’t take up too much space, but are enough for a little reminder (the cute colors are a bonus too).
A Lamp
It doesn’t have to be on your desk, but a lamp is necessary. Your eyes aren’t meant to read in the dark. If you are working into the night (or until 4:00pm in December), you can’t depend on your computer screen to give you reading light. Your eyes deserve better. Whether it’s a reading light or a big floor lamp (like this one that I currently have: https://amzn.to/3JpMs06), a little light in your workspace is crucial for not just reading, but also staying awake.
Lamps have also been my favorite home item recently to create a warm ambiance. I like not having any overhead lights on, and just having lamps and candles. It feels cozy and relaxing, even in the midst of a busy day/night. And an atmosphere with a good vibe is perfect to feeling like your most productive self.
My workspace isn’t perfect yet either, but it has become one of my happy places. I hope you can transform yours into a happy place too.
‘Til next time.
Dear Violet 
Leave a comment