Alfred Guide: 5-Part Anatomy of Optimized Workspaces
Many of us spend much of our day in the same 2x2 space at work - so why not turn that workspace into something that makes us feel good every day of the week?
Studies have found that an organized desk can lead to real increases in productivity. The famous psychologist B.F. Skinner made constructing the perfect space a subject of lifelong study. He believed that our behavior is a function of stimuli around us. His notorious “Skinner Box” presented a controlled and organized environment geared towards influencing behavior and enhancing productivity.
Skinner even had his own box, a perfectly constructed workspace in which he would wake up at 1a.m. to pen a few hours of research on his Behaviorism theories.
Your desk doesn’t have to be a Skinner Box for you to stay focused. Our members are movers and shakers in their respective fields so we asked them to snap their best desk picture, tell us their tips and send them to us.
Here are 5 tips you can put work.
Business Operations Manager of Snapchat, Em Toshack, (literally) stepped up to the challenge and showcased her crisp, clean desk.
Adding plants to your desk is a great way to liven up your workspace ambiance.
Tip #2: Give Your Desk Some Personality
Photo credit: Vanessa Cagno
Vanessa Cagno, Community Manager at The Barbarian Group, likes to keep small trinkets on her desk and bunny ears taped to her monitor.
Add some personal touches to your work area to keep you smiling while at work or that will at least make your area more recognizable among a sea of monitors.
Photo credit: Greg Byerley
CallisonRTKL Designer, Greg Byerley, is a firm believer in a solely functional and minimalistic workspace. He finds that the less clutter there is on his workspace, the more he is able to sustain a higher level of focus.
It’s fair game to have the surface of your desk completely tidy and reserve one drawer for hoarding purposes.
Tip #4: Lighten Up Your Desk
Photo credit: Alyssa Aguero
Alyssa Aguero, PR Associate for KVD NYC, makes sure her workspace has the perfect lighting throughout the day.
If your second coffee run of the day isn’t really helping you stay focused, perhaps alter your desk lighting and add a candle with bright notes to put some pep back in your step.
Tip #5: Add Some Company Swag
Photo credit: Christian Bjelland
If you’ve organized your desk, gotten rid of excess items around you and have even lit a candle, but cannot seem to stay focused, perhaps some company branding in you vicinity will do the trick.
Having your company logo in eyesight is likely to help you keep it’s mission and goals top of mind throughout the day.
At least, this is what Christian Bjelland, Growth and Founding Team Member at Hello Alfred, assures us.
Think we missed something? Send us a picture of your ultimate workspace optimization tip and we’ll include it in our blog.
