You spend eight hours a day, 40 hours a week and hundreds of hours every year at your work desk. But does it make you happy and enhance your productivity? If you’re not sure, try these simple tips and tricks to effectively set up your desk to maximize productivity and output.
Make your desk your happy place
Miguel McKelvey, the cofounder and CEO of WeWork, believes that happiness, the feeling of positivity, “really is the foundation of productivity”. He should know for his firm transforms buildings into collaborative and productive workspaces. Inject positivity into your workspace by adding personal items such as favourite photos, quotes and mementoes.
Bring in freshness and focus with a plant
A pretty potted plant does more than making a sterile workspace more personal. Researchers at University of Exeter in 2013 found that plants at the workplace aid concentration, enhance productivity and boost staff wellbeing by 47%. That plant may well put you on the path to a promotion!
Declutter and organize your desk
Recent research may indicate that a messy desk is helps unleash your creativity but if you want to get work done, we suggest you purge and organize. Clutter is a productivity killer as it distracts and keeps you from focusing on the task at hand.
Place heavy items on the left side of your desk
Try the productivity trick Kayla Matthews, a Pittsburgh, PA-based productivity blogger, shares on her blog. She suggests placing larger heavier items, such as the computer and books, on the left side and smaller items, in descending order, on the right. The mind is attuned to looking from left to right and this ensures your brain registers the important things first and works better.
Ensure that your desk is well lit
The right lighting can boost your productivity; the wrong kind can buzz it down. Natural lighting is your best bet but it’s not always possible to set your desk by the window. If you feel the lighting is dim, go and get yourself a lamp.
Dedicate some time to standing
Apart from making you healthier, standing at your desk can help boost productivity. A study conducted by Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health on call center workers revealed that standing at the desk increases productivity by 46%.
Plan a monthly edit of your work desk
Make sure you clear your desk regularly every month, going from top to bottom and checking every drawer and folder. This ensures you trash unnecessary documents and junk, and keeps your desk organized and conducive to work.
It may not seem as important as the Excel sheets and presentations that demand your attention, but in the long run, an optimal desk setup will make you a happier and more productive worker.
