If you’re looking for ways to improve your desk situation, you need not look further than Pinterest. A quick scroll will result in hundreds of photos of picture-perfect desks in every aesthetic you can imagine. And while they’re all beautiful, you have to wonder: Will you actually be able to get any work done on such a desk?
At the end of the day, even if you have all the latest bells and whistles on your picture-perfect desk, it won’t be effective if you don’t make the most of it. Here are some ways to do so:
Keep It Clutter-Free
You can’t do anything on a desk that’s laden with stacks of magazines, papers, and knickknacks from previous projects or tasks. Clean up your desk after every task, and treat it as a sacred space that should always be kept clear if possible. If there’s something on your workspace that you don’t need for the project you’re working on, keep it or throw it away.
Use A Second Monitor
If you’ve never used a second monitor, you’ll be surprised at how much it can improve your productivity. A second monitor effectively doubles the amount of on-screen real estate you can use, making it faster and easier to run multiple programs simultaneously. You can have Microsoft Word or Excel open on one screen and have a Skype call going on the other. Plus, connecting a second monitor to your laptop or desktop is pretty easy—all you need is an HDMI or VGA connector, and you’re all set.
Function Over Form
If your desk situation can be compared to the lyrics of “Twelve Days Of Christmas” (A dozen magazines, nine succulents, seven framed motivational quotes, five paperweights, two bookends, and a globe that needs a good dusting), you probably need to do some Marie Kondo-fying, stat.
“Keep it simple and functional with items you use all the time,” advises life coach and home organizer Meghan Meredith in an article published on Medium. “My desktop must-haves include a stapler; a jar of pens, pencils, and highlighters; a candle; and, most importantly, my planners.”
Display Your Favorite Photos
There’s more to life than your job! Don’t hesitate to spruce up your workspace with memories that spark joy. A Nixplay Smart Frame can display all your favorite photos, from scanned family photos from your childhood to phone pictures from a recent Disneyland trip with your nephews and nieces. You’ll be more inspired to work when you have your favorite memories on hand all the time.
Track Your Progress
When you’re at your desk, you should be motivated to work. One surefire way to achieve this? Put up your goals and to-do lists on a prominent spot on your desk. Write down your weekly, monthly, and quarterly goals and put them somewhere eye level so you’ll be pressured motivated to tick them off.
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.