To do our best work we need three things: clear goals, time to focus, and a distraction-free workspace.
In this article, I'll share my perfect productive workspace, which I use for writing, editing, and designing.
I'll also share a few of the tools and processes I use to stay focused.
I've been working in this office for about eight years.
While it was beautiful at first, over time I accumulated tons of stuff and let it get a bit messy.
I felt like I needed a refresh.
Luckily a new office in the building opened up, so I took the opportunity to start with a clean canvas and design it from the ground up.
So I wanted a space that would allow me to do deep work, and incorporate systems to help me focus on the most important day-to-day tasks.
To start the office design process I blocked out the space in my favorite 3d program.
I know it's super nerdy.
This helped me figure out the general layout before committing to any big efforts or purchases.
Personally, I like dark minimal spaces, so I decided to paint two of the walls dark grey which I color-matched to the other areas of the building.
Once the space was cleaned out and painted, I began getting furniture and accessories to meet my essential needs.
To start off I needed the perfect desk.
I've previously used a standing desk for five years and it's helped me with my posture and relieved my back pain.
So now I was looking for an upgrade that would look handsome in my new space.
Luckily, the good people over at Ergonofis had sent me the Sway desk.
It's a motorized sit-stand desk that's made of solid walnut and has black detailed finishes.
It gives me a lot of real estate to work on and has programmable settings so I can lock it in the optimal height for both sitting and standing.
When I'm doing management tasks like reviewing work or emailing, I prefer to be standing.
This adds a little more immediacy to the task and gives me a reason to get up several times a day.
When it's time to create and do some critical thinking, I move into a seated position.
Herman Miller Aeron chair
To sit comfortably for long sprints I use the Herman Miller Aeron chair.
This allows me to forget about my surroundings and dive into some deep work.
To keep me focused I use a project management tool called Notion.
In it, I have a custom document that I use to track my big goals as well as daily tasks week to week.
For the rest of the space I wanted to keep a consistent aesthetic so I tried to match the rest of my accessories to pair with the walnut wood at my desk and the dark paint on my walls.
To maximize my desk space I have this Ergonofis office desk shelf to elevate my monitor and use this vertical dock for my MacBook Pro.
On my desk, I have an Apple Magic Keyboard, La Logitech MX2s Master mouse, and a set of accessories from Grovemade to bring it all together.
I also use this Native Union dock to charge my iPhone when it's not in use.
One of the key accessories on my desktop is this Echo Spot which I use to set timers for my critical thinking work.
I break up my day into 90-minute focus sprints of uninterrupted work.
During this time I set a sprint goal and block myself from all distractions.
I close the door, turn off notifications and emails, and set a timer for 90 minutes of deep work.
While having focus is very important, little breaks throughout the day are just as valuable.
I designed this cozy corner to help me relax and add a little warmth to the space.
This corner of my office is specially designed for decompression.
Comfy Barcelona chair
A big comfy Barcelona chair surrounded by beautiful green indoor plants.
The round rug on the floor helps to visually anchor the open area and the organic shape of the plants break up the straight lines in the room.
This corner helps me rest my brain and collect my thoughts in between sprints of work. To promote mental clarity, I wanted to keep the space visually minimal.
But with all the devices I use come many many wires.
To tame this mess I routed everything underneath and behind the desk using these adhesive cable clips, and velcro ties.
For power, I mounted a power strip underneath my desk using 3M frame adhesive and screwed in an additional power strip on the side.
For easy access to keep my desktop clutter-free, I installed a matching drawer to have quick access to my writing tools.
To connect my MacBook to my setup I've hidden the USB C hub behind my monitor and attached it using the same 3M adhesive strip.
I also mounted this catch-all by Grovemade which I used to hang my keys and empty my pockets as I get in.
To the side of my desk, I have a vintage coat rack to hang my jackets and to hold my backpack.
Across the room, I built this industrial-style storage unit from Ikea.
In it I store the books I reference often, ideas of the past, and a few boxes for things I rarely access.
To light my space I was looking for a flexible system that would adjust as the day transitions into night.
To accomplish this I invested in a set of Philips Hue lights.
I use these play lights behind my monitor and added these bulbs to the lamps I had in the room.
The cool thing about this system is that I can access a wide range of colors with the app and control it using Alexa's voice commands through the Echo Spot on my desk.
This gives me plenty of ambient lighting, which I can adjust for cool temperatures during the day for focus, and can shift into warm temperatures at night when I'm winding down.
And that's my perfect productive workspace.
In conclusion, creating a productive workspace involves careful consideration of the elements that contribute to our best work. Clear goals, time to focus, and a distraction-free environment are essential factors.
The author shares their own journey of designing their perfect workspace, highlighting the importance of a clean canvas and incorporating systems to enhance focus on important tasks.
The choice of furniture, such as the ergonomic desk and chair, along with accessories like project management tools and customized accessories, demonstrates the attention to detail in optimizing productivity.
The inclusion of a cozy corner for relaxation and mental clarity further emphasizes the importance of balance and rejuvenation during work sprints.
Additionally, the organization of cables, power outlets, and storage solutions ensures a clutter-free and efficient setup.
Lighting plays a significant role, with Philips Hue lights providing customizable ambient lighting to enhance concentration and create a suitable atmosphere throughout the day.
Ultimately, this article showcases the author's commitment to designing an ideal workspace that maximizes productivity and fosters a conducive environment for their work activities.
FAQs
Q: What are the essential elements for creating a productive workspace?
Clear goals, time to focus, and a distraction-free environment are crucial for a productive workspace.
Q: How did the author design their productive workspace?
The author started with a clean canvas and utilized a 3D program to plan the layout.
They incorporated dark minimal aesthetics, painted the walls dark grey, and carefully selected furniture and accessories to meet their needs.
Q: What kind of desk did the author choose for their workspace?
The author opted for the Ergonofis Sway desk, a motorized sit-stand desk made of solid walnut with black detailed finishes. It provides ample working space and programmable settings for optimal sitting and standing positions.
Q: Which chair did the author use for comfortable and focused work sessions?
The author used the Herman Miller Aeron chair, known for its ergonomic design and ability to enhance focus during deep work sessions.
Q: What project management tool does the author use to stay focused?
The author utilizes Notion, a project management tool, to track their big goals and daily tasks on a custom document.
Q: How does the author take breaks during their workday?
The author follows a schedule of 90-minute focus sprints of uninterrupted work.
They close the door, turn off notifications and emails, and set a timer for deep work.
They also designed a cozy corner with a comfortable Barcelona chair and green indoor plants to relax and recharge between work sprints.
Q: How did the author manage the cables and power outlets in their workspace?
The author used adhesive cable clips and velcro ties to route the cables underneath and behind the desk.
They mounted a power strip underneath the desk and added an additional power strip on the side.
They also installed a matching drawer for easy access to writing tools and used a catch-all by Grovemade for organizing keys and small items.
Q: What lighting system did the author choose for their workspace?
The author invested in Philips Hue lights, including play lights behind the monitor and bulbs for the lamps in the room. They can access a wide range of colors and control the lighting using the app or voice commands through the Echo Spot.
Q: How does the author use their workspace for writing, editing, and designing?
The author has designed their workspace to cater to their specific work activities, including writing, editing, and designing.
The furniture, accessories, and overall setup are tailored to optimize productivity and create a conducive environment for these tasks.
Q: What is the main goal of the author's article about their productive workspace?
The author aims to share their personal experience and provide insights into creating an ideal workspace that promotes productivity, focus, and a balanced work environment.