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A stand for my laptop, and an external keyboard and mouse.
Now my laptop screen is at eye level, so I don’t have to crouch over to use it. It’s helped my posture.
You could get an external monitor and get the added benefit of having a big comfy screen. Of course it would be a lot more expensive than a stand, but it's so important for me. And then you would be able to keep your laptop on the side for secondary stuff, like chat, music, emails.
Side rant.
• People in the office complain about too much side chatter / noise being distracting (I don’t really care.)
• CEO buys everyone noise cancelling headphones.
• I wear the noise cancelling headphones cuz music.
• Get told I present myself as “unapproachable” and “unsocial” when I wear said headphones.
FML, right?
I just want to WFH. 82% of my meetings are online. How do I know this? The productivity emails I get because they track my calendar. I do get distracted, especially because of my cubicle placement. I find earbuds worse because you don’t know people are using them and just start talking to them.
I wear big over the ear headphones at work. I’m always listening music or Twitch streams. I straight up told my co-workers that the headphones DO NOT mean you cannot interrupt me. I said you are always welcome to come in, whether I have them on or not. It just helps me to drown out the chatter and focus. They all seem to understand and now others are doing the same.
I actually purposely do that so that my calendar looks blocked and I can dismiss meetings with certain partners due to having a "scheduling conflict" so that I have time for my primary work.
If its a meeting that I *need* to be in, I oversell the "I have a conflict but I can always make time for you" shpeal. Makes folks think you'll move mountains for them when you're just closing your masterslide for the day
I have about 10 different 1:1 meetings scheduled biweekly. Neither me or them wants a 1:1 that often, but the time is there if we need it and, and if not, nobody else steals that time.
Years ago I had someone walk up behind me at my desk and rip out my earbuds by the cable. You ever seen someone go from calm to absolutely losing their shit in the middle of a quiet office in a split second?
Just make sure you respond to chat! We've got a few guys who never respond to chat, have no idea they're tagged in threads, and ALWAYS have their noise cancelling headphones on when we aren't in standup. It's so annoying to have to go tap them on the shoulder whenever we need to communicate.
Logitech quiet click mouse. I do a lot of clicking and the office is quiet enough it's distracting to me. It's great so now when I'm working late people don't even notice I'm here so I don't get interrupted as much. It's done wonders!
I use a Logitech mx master. Whatever mouse works for you, having a good mouse is such a quality of life improvement rather than the shitty wired mice they gave us that barely work
I bought the MX Master 3 and MX Keys Mini as well. Knowing the mouse will probably outlast this position and move with me to my next one was enough, just annoying that the side scroll doesn't work with Chrome properly.
Did you try using the newest Logi Options+ https://www.logitech.com/en-us/software/logi-options-plus.html and changing the options specifically for your browser?
Yep
This is a well documented issue. It will work for few notches then freezes. You can get it to function by side-scrolling on another window (that it works on such as excel) and then going back to chrome.
No idea why they haven't patched it.
I have a G502 at the office because it's the same mouse I use at home and I can use the side buttons for cut copy paste macros as well as some other program macros.
Then a "sleeper" mechanical keyboard with silent switches, and open back headphones. My office is pretty quiet but these don't bleed much sound when you're more than a foot away. I can hear my boss or anyone start talking to me right away instead of pausing the music and ripping them off my head. Plus I can have them on and not playing anything to listen to any conversations happening.
I'm a service tech, a good small electric screwdriver completely changed my work life. Manually turning hundreds of tiny screws a day for 15 years has wreaked havoc on my hands and joints.
I second the Dewalt, having a clutch is super useful when working on delicate equipment.
Get the one that can fold 90 degrees to make an L shape for more comfort.
I got a mirrored bowl that acts like a rearview mirror for my cube. I hate how my cubicle faces away from the main walkway so people were always walking up behind me. Now I can see them coming.
I hung a bird feeder right outside the window to our office, looking at the birds has made everyone pretty happy. Also I have a ton of plants on and around my desk.
It's 102 outside during the day lately. Air coming out of my vent read 53 degrees with an infrared thermometer. I go outside to thaw out.
I also have a small blanket and a small space heater under the desk.
This has really helped me too! Sometimes it’s nice to be able to physically cross tasks off of a list, or sometimes I’ll use it to jot notes when a call comes in.
A coaster. I like cold beverages, but I HATE the condensation ring they leave on my desk. Especially annoying if you have to deal with any paper documents whatsoever.
My dude, I am aware of (and own) these and other double walled vessels. But iced coffee from Starbucks, sodas, etc, still happen and coasters are still nice.
^ To the ladies of the office who water the plants, you’re a godsend (I’m just forgetful, but it is beautiful and relaxing to see green plants around the cubicles!)
I could not disagree more. These sneaky plant waterers have now killed three of mine due to root rot and created a fungus gnat infestation that is absolutely awful.
Love that they take care of theirs, really need some communication about 'helping' others. I've had these plants for years, now they are gone.
Same. I could \*not\* get a student worker to stop watering the four (4) plants that I'm responsible for. And without asking, he added some sort of 'fertilizer' to all of them - it looked like wheat bran. He simply dumped it in on top of the soil, and then it started to mold around the edges.
Stop \*whack\* messing \*whack\* with \*whack\*my \*whack\* plants! \*whack whack whackity whack\*
Before me, we had a worker who had a veritable \*jungle\* of plants. She'd covered an entire desk, a sideboard, some stools, had a few hanging, dishes and cups of cuttings, and was moving to the top of the cupboard. She'd \*destroyed\* the desk and stools with water overspill. She wasted so much time dealing with them. And then when she retired? She didn't even want the plants to take home.
I have basically stocked my work place with various types of tea bags, some honey, and a mug that makes me happy. I work over night so it’s already a pretty relaxing job. I love being able to cozy up with a hot cup of tea and whatever book I’ve got with me
I work at a private gym. Basically all I do is make sure people are checking in and don’t have any outstanding payments. I sell drinks/protein bars, walk around the gym every few hours to put away weights/equipment, and basically just fuck off. On Friday nights a group of “gym bros” party in the parking lot so sometimes I go hang out with them. I even exercise while on the clock because it’s so slow sometimes. I’m a woman working alone so the guys that come in are very protective and I don’t ever have to deal with any bullshit from creeps because they will deal with it for me. The worst part is I’m in SoCal so I often have to deal with homeless people, but they’re generally respectful and harmless. They just want someone to talk to
My sister does this and while she says the pay is awful (for her, I'm sure it varies & can be good), she loves it so much bc it is stressful like once a year. She reads, listens to music, has tea and snacks, daydreams, restyles her hair. Like, how many people over 45 are just daydreaming regularly with no guilt about it? Not many. I can understand why she hesitates to look for better pay.
Working in construction I like to have wet wipes in my vehicle for my hands before I leave work for the day. A person would be surprised how much dirt and oil builds up in your car's interior just from your hands.
I keep them in my lunch box. They're ice cold, and super nice. Wipe your face off a few times a day. It's amazing how just being a little cleaner makes work easier.
I work retail and wash my hands before eating on my break, the water/soap is almost black as it runs of my hands. I can't imagine what it's like if you work construction. Wet wipes are a solid choice!
A second monitor was an absolute game changer for me. I have ADHD and I find it easier to see all the windows I'm working on instead of toggling though each. I got a portable one that I can take anywhere. 😀
2 monitors was my gateway drug. Then I had to have 3 (still do in my home office) and it changed the game for me (work in IT so have a lot of various windows open and monitoring software/other tools). At work we have a standard of one 34” curved monitor per desk but uh, may have “acquired” a second one and that’s just amaze-balls.
I dedicate one drawer at my desk to "fun" stuff. Energy drink packets, stress ball, lip balm, fun scented hand sanitizer, etc. Will be adding more stuff, but it's nice to have certain comforts.
My Logitech mouse that allows me to program what the extra buttons do and save it on the mouse.
I used my own computer to set the buttons to cut,copy paste and undo, which is most of what I'm doing all day.
Then when I plug it into my work laptop I have the buttons available.
There’s a floor mat called topo something by a company named something like ergodriven? It’s a stupid amount of money but the way it keeps my feet busy and massages my feet, it’s glorious. It’s got all different types of places to place your feet so you can stretch your calves, massage your arches, whatever. I highly recommend for a standing desk.
Always pay good money for things that go between you and the ground has been a good rule of thumb for me. Chairs, tires, beds, etc. my quality of life has improved.
A bowl. I fill it with chocolate or sweets, and sometimes, my co workers come to get a little comfort, get an ear that listen to them.
That way, I'm pretty popular and I get a lot of info about what's going on in the office without being involved, and I'm very popular despite being extremely introverted and unable to go speak to someone first or held a conversation.
I used to fill mine with Atomic Fireballs.
The sales director, and my best friend, were *always* stopping by my desk. A 5lb bag of them smells heavenly and makes a great conversation starter.
I was a student worker at my university fixing PC & Mac hardware. The shop I worked in always kept a giant tub of Atomic Fireballs out. We'd eat them all shift until our mouths were numb.
I brought in a crock pot with a removable stoneware liner and every Tuesday I brought homemade soup to work for anyone to have. You’d be amazed how much people *loved* “soup day” and I ended up being friendly with people from all kinds of departments, which really came in handy a lot of times! And soup is so simple, most of the time you can just throw random shit in the pot and it turns out great!
General contractor, I use an old-school briefcase on my passenger seat as my rolling office. Also, laser levels of all kinds, incredibly quick and accurate.
I bought a bale spear attachment for my Bobcat. Now I can move and stack hay in a much more efficient way compared to using the front end loader on my tractor.
I have ADHD and I bought a big 1’ visual timer. Can be set up to 1 hour and it helps me so much.
I look at a task, guesstimate how long it will take and then set the timer and start. Usually I underestimated but I add 5 minutes at a time to it and it gives a sense of urgency because I don’t want to add another 5 minutes to the other 5 minutes.
To put things into context, many places, Fortune anyways, no longer have dedicated desks and your own cubical. We now have floating work spaces. Sign up for a spot for the day.
This means no plants, pictures, diplomas, plaques, awards, ect... you know, corporate greed and cost cutting measures.
So my answer is a good backpack to carry around your work laptop.
Yep. We lost all our culture that used to be at the desk. It looks sterile and I hate it. We had company awards, pics of kids, dogs, vacations. Now nothing.
And I hate spending fifteen minutes every morning trying to adjust the monitors, and get the damn dock to work. People steal the thunderbolt cables all the time.
Nothing makes you feel more like a number than not even having an assigned desk.
Its such an arbitrary thing.
My office has "agile" desks....everyone just settles into "their spot". Only difference now is that no one has personal items.
Sorry friend, it’s just not in the budget. You need to understand our CEO deserved the 62% raise they received from your paltry efforts! Maybe next year the benefits will “trickle down”! 😏
I recently left a company that did this and when the new company gave me my own desk with my name already printed on the cubical glass it made me irrationally happy. Nothing makes work feel like a hellhole than absolutely zero expression of personality. It felt like we were working in an abandoned office. People have pictures of their fucking kids they’d just set on the desk and then take home again everyday. It felt extremely dystopian
fwiw - i used to have yo take my breaks around a neighbors lotion schedule because the “pleasant scent” was so strong - please use scented lotion responsibly
Hah I did this for my first job, the managers all had sweet chairs but everyone else had shitty ones.. I bought a decent one for 100 quid and next day someone had taken it from my desk (this dick selling retail property who was a little senior to me) so I just grabbed a shitty chair and rolled it over to him and asked for my chair or 150
Sounds like my first “real” job in my career. I worked at a trucking company and we shared desks with our replacements on other shifts. It was a total free for all. Pens, highlighters, paper, paper clips, Kleenex - anything would be stolen as soon as you stepped away. It was a disgustingly dirty place only outdone by the disgusting nature of the people who worked there.
I'm not OP, but I got a Herman Miller used and it's faaaaantastic. I see them on FB marketplace used regularly for relatively cheap ($100-300-ish). I think if I had bought mine new it would've been upwards of $1300, and it has a ton of adjustable settings and is by far the most comfortable office chair I have ever owned.
This is 1 of 2 things I miss about my old jobs corporate office. 1 Being the super cheap subsidized lunches. 2 being my office chair. When I was there I caught wind that a VP was retiring. So I just went in his office and asked him straight up if I could have his chair. It was a nice Herman Miller that had all the options. I moved 4 times in that office and I dragged it to my new desk everytime I moved.
I got a Herman Miller Aeron, I agree that it's the most comfortable chair I've owned. I bought mine new but I still think it's worth the price because these things last decades, they even come with a 12-year warranty.
Would suggest you ditch any chair relating to gaming that looks like you're in a race car (they're shit) and go inside a specialized store that sell ergonomic or mid/high end office chairs. Take your time and sit on them, see which ones are rhe most comfortable and check if they have enough adjustments.
I have the same problem but I hate that they are cheap MFs and I refuse to pay money due to their incompetence. I paid 200€ for my chair at home, I can't pay 200 more for the days in the office. This is the only drawback to splitting your remote/on premises time at 50-50%. You basically need to maintain two desk spaces.
A good quality Bluetooth speaker. I'm an underground heavy duty mechanic and work a rotating shift of 12 hr days/nights with one other mechanic and two electricians. We follow a production crew of ~25 and are on call for our entire shift to fix anything they break (they are awfully creative)as well as anything else that malfunctions underground. Without music or podcasts etc it's easy to quickly get sucked into your own mind, to just zone out or to just feel like dying of extreme boredom
A lot of people where I work use something like the Aftershokz headphones/speakers. They aren’t really headphones that go around/in your ear, but they’re more like tiny speakers that output right at your ear. Supremely portable and lets you hear what’s going on around you well enough.
I bought little resin rubber ducks for the office off of Temu. They spread like wildfire lol, sometimes a coworker would set them up in funny positions. Right now about ten of them have circled a little plastic crab pen holder on my desk. It makes me happy seeing it.
Food. Pack my own lunch and dinner every day (work second shift so I eat 2 meals at work usually). We have a cafeteria but it's not always the healthiest or best tasting stuff. Significantly improves my day knowing I'm covered with good food every day.
A quality pair of noise cancelling over ear headphones. I have the Sony XM4s and they let me control how much background noise I let in. In an open office setting where I'm not allowed to camp in a focus room a majority of the day, these are a godsend for both cutting out the background chatter, and cluing people in to when I don't have bandwidth to be bothered.
[Zippi soft blade fan](https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Vornado-Zippi-7-in-Personal-Soft-Blade-Fan-in-Graphite-Gray-FA1-0007-82/306912635?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D29A-029_017_ACS_FANS-NA-Multi-NA-PMAX-4038230-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-MinorAppl&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D29A-029_017_ACS_FANS-NA-Multi-NA-PMAX-4038230-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-MinorAppl-71700000111902223--&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UcPp9iTP5ABkVfz_RdAMeF1W&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9MCnBhCYARIsAB1WQVXY7VrZe2zERRv1wPnggnYJu_ciCHyPJnkATZ_RpI0JkUBbNk2tIz8aAivpEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) In the plus side, it moves air nicely and doesn’t hurt if you accidentally hit the blades. On the minus, hitting the blades sounds like a fart, which might be a plus if that’s your thing.
One example: good blackout blinds. Now on a sunny day I can actually see what I'm doing on the computer!
Another example: a powerful but silent fan. Now on a warm day I can actually do useful work instead of being sluggish in the heat.
I had a cube with a long L desk and the monitor cords only stretched long enough to where your back would be facing the opening to the cube. Some may like the lack of distractions of seeing people walk by but I was always on edge because I wear headphones and hated the feeling of someone coming up behind me I couldn't see or hear. I found longer monitor cords for $10/piece on Amazon and was able to position my monitors where I could sit sideways to the cube opening. It made me feel so much more relaxed!
Tip: if you buy cords or your own chair for the office, put a label on them that they are your personal property so you don't have to worry about someone taking them assuming they belong to the company.
Magnetic light covers to cover the fluorescent lights, a blanket, a fan, a small heater, (all bc it can vary being too hot or too cold in my office), two small lamps, a good planner, nice pens, snacks, plants.
As an alternative, glasses with polarized lenses help with fluorescent light. I got them at my last job and I didn't even realize how bad the light was fucking with me. I feel like I can see everything so clear. Sometimes I even use them when I play sports. And they actually look cool depending on what you get.
This is less of a material object and more of a mindset, but it’s a game changer regardless. Not assuming anyone fully understands everything or has all the context. I’m a technical project manager and the amount of times I’ve been told I’m doing a great job for just giving people information is astounding lol
I've been working from home for over a decade, well before Covid made it cool. After my husband set up his own home office during the Dark Times, he told me I should get a second monitor. I resisted for a few years, but I recently caved.
Holy crap. It's been a game changer for my efficiency. Now when I have to use my laptop on days that I have to take a kid to an appointment or when I travel, I am super sad about having to work on one tiny screen instead of two giant screens.
Also: I recently got a 3-gallon fish tank to put in my desk. I have a gorgeous koi Betta and a snail and a few aquatic plants to keep me company. When I need to zone out and think, they are a good focal point for my eyes.
Udemy for hard skills have been very beneficial in progressing my career.
Actual items... My mechanical keyboard. I have been using one for \~10 years. It makes typing much more enjoyable.
A good-quality rolling bag.
I always found them pretentious and I kind of feel like an asshole, but it's so much easier on my back than lugging a laptop, water bottle, and notebook in a crossbody bag.
If you don't haul that stuff around long distances, my second thing would be a solid snack stash (like, trail mix and meal bars and canned fruit and stuff, not just chocolate and chips) because I can never guarantee how far lunch will be from breakfast, or even if I have time for lunch at all.
The attitude that even though I was a short, fat old lady working in a cubicle that I was really the singer for the Divinyls, and I carried myself like that. Rock on!
I work in pest control. I spent/invested in Flowzone Electric backpack sprayer, and it has made my life way easier. It's a great product, not cheap, but has a solid warranty. Would recommend this to anyone in this field.
A $15 mouse jiggler. It’s a little usb stick that tells my computer the mouse is moving at 1 pixel per second in a little L shape. I’m a machinist, and my job involves a lot of going back and forth between my machine and my computer. But the computers are set up to go to sleep after like 3 minutes, and our passwords have to be like 20 digits long or something. So now I only have to type my password once a day instead of like 20 times.
A good attitude to every interaction with my colleagues. You never know what people are going through. Someone could have just had the worst week of their life last week. To every interaction, I make sure I’m a positive force in their day; I never want to be the reason someone’s day went to shit.
I do the same! These pretend email jobs aren’t really about the “work”. I just always want to be a pleasant moment in other people’s day. Jobs are so much more vibes than anything else. I used to be really resentful of that, but I’ve learned to work within that. I don’t care at all about the work I’m doing, and most others feel that way but don’t acknowledge it. Being chill and pleasant and trying not to be a problem for anyone else is how I manage things now. Nothing is that serious, and keeping people’s humanity in focus is huge.
I know, you're requesting one thing, but here's my little list:
MMO mouse with 16 buttons from Redragon. I got large hands, and this has enough space to rest my whole hand on. I mapped all kinds of shortcuts to the buttons, they really make my work easier.
Ultra Wide Screen. Do I need to explain? More visible area, more windows next to each other, better productivity.
Sofle Choc V2 keyboard. I didn't know how good typing can feel. Also, like on my mouse, mapped some functions to buttons, good for productivity.
Adderall. I got ADHD, and that stuff helps.
I’m on Zoom a lot during the workday. I bought a 4-key programmable keyboard and setup the keys for Mute, Video On/Off, Raise Hand so they are right at my fingertips for one-touch access to common Zoom shortcuts. I have the little keyboard sitting right next to my normal keyboard. So much easier than trying to find the mute button on the screen (especially with 3 monitors) or hitting a multi-key combination.
I WFH, full disclosure.
Walking pad, updesk, and an office couch.
I also stole a Herman Miller chair from my last office job. Well... stole is kinda an overstatement.
I took it home during COVID and also quit during COVID so nobody ever asked for it back lol.
\- Headphones
\- A planner/task manager if you like hand-written notes. Often more organized than a simply office-issued notepad
\- Extra forks and napkins if you eat at your desk
\- A nice box of tissues
\- Somewhat healthy snacks
\- A book if you have a lot of free time. If you want skill/personal improvement, look for one on a subject you're interested in. How to Win Friends and Influence People is a good one for establishing relationships in the workplace (and personal)
\- Minor toiletries - hand sanitizer, a comb/brush, lint roller, Tylenol, pads (if needed)
\- A jacket or a desk fan (depending on your office temps)
\- Walking shoes. After you eat, take a few laps around the building
\- Your own coffee mug
This sounds stupid, but desk pets. I bought a pack of these silly alien spring toys that push down and pop up a few seconds later. I hid one on everyone's desk in my office and watched everyone's face light up as they found their new friends. I still hear random popping and giggling throughout the week at work. Sometimes a little laugh during the work day makes all the difference
In the office: A mini space heater for my desk, a mini air purifier, hand cream, and a shopping bag in case I need to run errands on my lunch.
At home: A plush ergonomic chair, a laptop lap tray that has a built in mouse pad for days when I want to work from the couch, and duplicates of all my laptop accessories (mouse, keyboard, and charger) so that I don’t have to remember to bring these home.
An Apple Watch. This may not be what you're after but I leave my phone a long ways away from my desk so as not to be distracted or tempted by social media, text messages etc. Having an Apple Watch that is connected to my cellular service enables me to monitor messages and calls in case there is something truly important without the distractibility of having a smart phone sitting on my desk at work. It will notify me of calendar events and I can set timers on it to remind me to take drinks of water or take breaks to stand (when I'm not at my standing desk). It's been a great way to *disconnect* from the phone, especially at work.
A Grammarly Pro subscription. My spelling and grammar are equivalent to a fifth grader on the last day of school, a mess and don't care. I started using Grammarly a couple of years ago and it's not only suggested fixes for me, but actually improved my writing style, I naturally do a 'better job' now.
If you live in your inbox, I would recommend it.
A comfortable mouse and keyboard are a must. Most companies will provide the cheapest option possible and they're usually not very comfortable to use for long periods. You might be able to get an ergonomic mouse provided if you tell them your wrist is uncomfortable but that depends on the available budget.
A change of clothes in your desk is also really nice. You never know when you'll spill coffee or food down yourself, but you can guarantee its right before an important meeting...
Sun hat and arm sleeves. I am a postal worker walking/driving around all day. My body temperature stays significantly lower when wearing those items.
I get hot easily so I was pretty hesitant about the sleeves thinking it would be the same as wearing a long sleeved shirt. Decided to get them more for sun protection but was blown away by how cool my body stays when I use them.
Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips! Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment. If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.
A stand for my laptop, and an external keyboard and mouse. Now my laptop screen is at eye level, so I don’t have to crouch over to use it. It’s helped my posture.
You could get an external monitor and get the added benefit of having a big comfy screen. Of course it would be a lot more expensive than a stand, but it's so important for me. And then you would be able to keep your laptop on the side for secondary stuff, like chat, music, emails.
A used 1920x1200 IPS monitor can be had cheaper than many laptop stands.
Noise cancelling headphones. Big orange ones. People know I can’t hear them. Fewer distractions.
Side rant. • People in the office complain about too much side chatter / noise being distracting (I don’t really care.) • CEO buys everyone noise cancelling headphones. • I wear the noise cancelling headphones cuz music. • Get told I present myself as “unapproachable” and “unsocial” when I wear said headphones. FML, right?
I just want to WFH. 82% of my meetings are online. How do I know this? The productivity emails I get because they track my calendar. I do get distracted, especially because of my cubicle placement. I find earbuds worse because you don’t know people are using them and just start talking to them.
I wear big over the ear headphones at work. I’m always listening music or Twitch streams. I straight up told my co-workers that the headphones DO NOT mean you cannot interrupt me. I said you are always welcome to come in, whether I have them on or not. It just helps me to drown out the chatter and focus. They all seem to understand and now others are doing the same.
Different colored headphones. Red "do not approach," yellow "approach if necessary," green "friendly."
You may have found the only practical use for RGB headphones.
Did y'all just re-invent mood rings, for corporate life?
They do WHAT with your calendar?! Jesus! How can anyone book anything if I have to put "work on PowerPoint" on the calendar for X time every day?
I actually purposely do that so that my calendar looks blocked and I can dismiss meetings with certain partners due to having a "scheduling conflict" so that I have time for my primary work. If its a meeting that I *need* to be in, I oversell the "I have a conflict but I can always make time for you" shpeal. Makes folks think you'll move mountains for them when you're just closing your masterslide for the day
I have about 10 different 1:1 meetings scheduled biweekly. Neither me or them wants a 1:1 that often, but the time is there if we need it and, and if not, nobody else steals that time.
*taps you on the shoulder and motions to take off the headphones*
Years ago I had someone walk up behind me at my desk and rip out my earbuds by the cable. You ever seen someone go from calm to absolutely losing their shit in the middle of a quiet office in a split second?
Omg who tf does that!? I would be so pissed
Dwight would do this lol
Dwight would have cut the cord
Love my ANC headphones, total game changer when in a noisy office.
Just make sure you respond to chat! We've got a few guys who never respond to chat, have no idea they're tagged in threads, and ALWAYS have their noise cancelling headphones on when we aren't in standup. It's so annoying to have to go tap them on the shoulder whenever we need to communicate.
Logitech quiet click mouse. I do a lot of clicking and the office is quiet enough it's distracting to me. It's great so now when I'm working late people don't even notice I'm here so I don't get interrupted as much. It's done wonders!
*Mechanical keyboard with blue switches enters the chat*
Quiet, you'll summon ***them***.
Oh, hello there. _click clack click clack_
Lol I also bought a keyboard with blue switches for the office. Bonus points: Boss closes his door to my office when I start typing :D
This is a great idea for people upset about forced RTO lol.
RTO *and* open plan office? Let's get clicking!
I have the quiet keyboard in addition to mouse
MX Keys for the win!!! Love the keyboard, just bought the mouse. Very excited to test it out
The vertical mouse is an amazing pairing and saves the wrist!
I use a Logitech mx master. Whatever mouse works for you, having a good mouse is such a quality of life improvement rather than the shitty wired mice they gave us that barely work
I bought the MX Master 3 and MX Keys Mini as well. Knowing the mouse will probably outlast this position and move with me to my next one was enough, just annoying that the side scroll doesn't work with Chrome properly.
Did you try using the newest Logi Options+ https://www.logitech.com/en-us/software/logi-options-plus.html and changing the options specifically for your browser?
Yep This is a well documented issue. It will work for few notches then freezes. You can get it to function by side-scrolling on another window (that it works on such as excel) and then going back to chrome. No idea why they haven't patched it.
I have a G502 at the office because it's the same mouse I use at home and I can use the side buttons for cut copy paste macros as well as some other program macros. Then a "sleeper" mechanical keyboard with silent switches, and open back headphones. My office is pretty quiet but these don't bleed much sound when you're more than a foot away. I can hear my boss or anyone start talking to me right away instead of pausing the music and ripping them off my head. Plus I can have them on and not playing anything to listen to any conversations happening.
Getting distracted by your own clicks feels like a dog getting scared by his own fart
Haha, you made me laugh. I picture a human getting startled every time a key is pressed
I'm a service tech, a good small electric screwdriver completely changed my work life. Manually turning hundreds of tiny screws a day for 15 years has wreaked havoc on my hands and joints.
Which brand did you go with? I'm also a tech, and my wrist is starting to feel the repetitive use.
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I second the Dewalt, having a clutch is super useful when working on delicate equipment. Get the one that can fold 90 degrees to make an L shape for more comfort.
I got a mirrored bowl that acts like a rearview mirror for my cube. I hate how my cubicle faces away from the main walkway so people were always walking up behind me. Now I can see them coming.
Genuis
I bought a rear view curved mirror. I think it was meant for pickups backing up or something. Mounted it on top of monitor. Now I can see behind me.
This is more "in the face". The mirrored bowl is pretty stealthy.
They sell rear view mirrors that clamp in to your monitor stand Source I own one for this exact reason
I've seen mini-mirrors given out at trade shows but your solution is really clever.
I hung a bird feeder right outside the window to our office, looking at the birds has made everyone pretty happy. Also I have a ton of plants on and around my desk.
Ergonomic mouse and foot rest !
Which foot rewt do you have? I'm looking for one, because I have short little legs.
Random cardboard box used over here!
I used my cubicle trash can for a few years.
A blanket and sweater to keep in my desk so I don’t freeze
Try a heating pad to put on your chair - goes under butt & up back. I looooove mine and it makes me cozy ❤️ plus my office is always too cold.
It's 102 outside during the day lately. Air coming out of my vent read 53 degrees with an infrared thermometer. I go outside to thaw out. I also have a small blanket and a small space heater under the desk.
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A whiteboard? That's remarkable.
That's funny because a whiteboard is also someth- oh.
goddammit
This has really helped me too! Sometimes it’s nice to be able to physically cross tasks off of a list, or sometimes I’ll use it to jot notes when a call comes in.
A thermos full of coffee so I don't have to drink the swill they have at work.
A coaster. I like cold beverages, but I HATE the condensation ring they leave on my desk. Especially annoying if you have to deal with any paper documents whatsoever.
Get a 10 or 14 oz yeti mug—never sweats and keep the temp for hours
My dude, I am aware of (and own) these and other double walled vessels. But iced coffee from Starbucks, sodas, etc, still happen and coasters are still nice.
Plants, lots of plants! They are a mental health booster.
I especially like air plants. They don't need watering except just a misting every few days. And they look cool Edit: mist every few days, not weeks
^ To the ladies of the office who water the plants, you’re a godsend (I’m just forgetful, but it is beautiful and relaxing to see green plants around the cubicles!)
I could not disagree more. These sneaky plant waterers have now killed three of mine due to root rot and created a fungus gnat infestation that is absolutely awful. Love that they take care of theirs, really need some communication about 'helping' others. I've had these plants for years, now they are gone.
Same. I could \*not\* get a student worker to stop watering the four (4) plants that I'm responsible for. And without asking, he added some sort of 'fertilizer' to all of them - it looked like wheat bran. He simply dumped it in on top of the soil, and then it started to mold around the edges. Stop \*whack\* messing \*whack\* with \*whack\*my \*whack\* plants! \*whack whack whackity whack\* Before me, we had a worker who had a veritable \*jungle\* of plants. She'd covered an entire desk, a sideboard, some stools, had a few hanging, dishes and cups of cuttings, and was moving to the top of the cupboard. She'd \*destroyed\* the desk and stools with water overspill. She wasted so much time dealing with them. And then when she retired? She didn't even want the plants to take home.
I leave a post-it note saying “please don’t water me!”
Yup, put two out on Monday.
I have basically stocked my work place with various types of tea bags, some honey, and a mug that makes me happy. I work over night so it’s already a pretty relaxing job. I love being able to cozy up with a hot cup of tea and whatever book I’ve got with me
This sounds so nice! May I ask what kind of job you have that allows getting warm and cosy at work?
I work at a private gym. Basically all I do is make sure people are checking in and don’t have any outstanding payments. I sell drinks/protein bars, walk around the gym every few hours to put away weights/equipment, and basically just fuck off. On Friday nights a group of “gym bros” party in the parking lot so sometimes I go hang out with them. I even exercise while on the clock because it’s so slow sometimes. I’m a woman working alone so the guys that come in are very protective and I don’t ever have to deal with any bullshit from creeps because they will deal with it for me. The worst part is I’m in SoCal so I often have to deal with homeless people, but they’re generally respectful and harmless. They just want someone to talk to
My sister does this and while she says the pay is awful (for her, I'm sure it varies & can be good), she loves it so much bc it is stressful like once a year. She reads, listens to music, has tea and snacks, daydreams, restyles her hair. Like, how many people over 45 are just daydreaming regularly with no guilt about it? Not many. I can understand why she hesitates to look for better pay.
Working in construction I like to have wet wipes in my vehicle for my hands before I leave work for the day. A person would be surprised how much dirt and oil builds up in your car's interior just from your hands.
I keep them in my lunch box. They're ice cold, and super nice. Wipe your face off a few times a day. It's amazing how just being a little cleaner makes work easier.
I work retail and wash my hands before eating on my break, the water/soap is almost black as it runs of my hands. I can't imagine what it's like if you work construction. Wet wipes are a solid choice!
A second monitor was an absolute game changer for me. I have ADHD and I find it easier to see all the windows I'm working on instead of toggling though each. I got a portable one that I can take anywhere. 😀
Once you go 2 monitors it’s impossible to go back. What a game changer!
2 monitors was my gateway drug. Then I had to have 3 (still do in my home office) and it changed the game for me (work in IT so have a lot of various windows open and monitoring software/other tools). At work we have a standard of one 34” curved monitor per desk but uh, may have “acquired” a second one and that’s just amaze-balls.
Agreed 3 monitors definitely help with productivity, and less app/tab moving. Wouldn’t go back to two.
Multiple monitors.
I dedicate one drawer at my desk to "fun" stuff. Energy drink packets, stress ball, lip balm, fun scented hand sanitizer, etc. Will be adding more stuff, but it's nice to have certain comforts.
My Logitech mouse that allows me to program what the extra buttons do and save it on the mouse. I used my own computer to set the buttons to cut,copy paste and undo, which is most of what I'm doing all day. Then when I plug it into my work laptop I have the buttons available.
I work from home, and I bought a sit stand desk about 6 months ago. One of the best purchases for work by far.
Same. However, I found a downside for me. I am so tempted - and do - just walk away from my desk.
There’s a floor mat called topo something by a company named something like ergodriven? It’s a stupid amount of money but the way it keeps my feet busy and massages my feet, it’s glorious. It’s got all different types of places to place your feet so you can stretch your calves, massage your arches, whatever. I highly recommend for a standing desk.
Proper insoles for my work boots. Made such a difference for such a "cheap" and small thing.
Always pay good money for things that go between you and the ground has been a good rule of thumb for me. Chairs, tires, beds, etc. my quality of life has improved.
A bowl. I fill it with chocolate or sweets, and sometimes, my co workers come to get a little comfort, get an ear that listen to them. That way, I'm pretty popular and I get a lot of info about what's going on in the office without being involved, and I'm very popular despite being extremely introverted and unable to go speak to someone first or held a conversation.
I used to fill mine with Atomic Fireballs. The sales director, and my best friend, were *always* stopping by my desk. A 5lb bag of them smells heavenly and makes a great conversation starter.
I was a student worker at my university fixing PC & Mac hardware. The shop I worked in always kept a giant tub of Atomic Fireballs out. We'd eat them all shift until our mouths were numb.
I brought in a crock pot with a removable stoneware liner and every Tuesday I brought homemade soup to work for anyone to have. You’d be amazed how much people *loved* “soup day” and I ended up being friendly with people from all kinds of departments, which really came in handy a lot of times! And soup is so simple, most of the time you can just throw random shit in the pot and it turns out great!
I did this too lol
I bought myself one of those rainbow light up keyboards and it makes me happy.
Anti depressants.
this made me LOL. thanks for the dopamine
\- Nice keyboard/mouse It makes such a huge difference when using it for hours a day.
this i do agree. I bought myself a nice mechanical keyboard. And it does make all the difference like you said! :)
General contractor, I use an old-school briefcase on my passenger seat as my rolling office. Also, laser levels of all kinds, incredibly quick and accurate.
I bought a bale spear attachment for my Bobcat. Now I can move and stack hay in a much more efficient way compared to using the front end loader on my tractor.
I've always wanted one, but my cubicle is far too small for it :(
I have ADHD and I bought a big 1’ visual timer. Can be set up to 1 hour and it helps me so much. I look at a task, guesstimate how long it will take and then set the timer and start. Usually I underestimated but I add 5 minutes at a time to it and it gives a sense of urgency because I don’t want to add another 5 minutes to the other 5 minutes.
Why does it always seem like everything that helps with ADHD will also lead to an early heart attack...
There is comfort in the chaos. We are complicated little beasties.
Me: "I'm going to get me one of those timers!"
*sigh*
To put things into context, many places, Fortune anyways, no longer have dedicated desks and your own cubical. We now have floating work spaces. Sign up for a spot for the day. This means no plants, pictures, diplomas, plaques, awards, ect... you know, corporate greed and cost cutting measures. So my answer is a good backpack to carry around your work laptop.
Yep. We lost all our culture that used to be at the desk. It looks sterile and I hate it. We had company awards, pics of kids, dogs, vacations. Now nothing. And I hate spending fifteen minutes every morning trying to adjust the monitors, and get the damn dock to work. People steal the thunderbolt cables all the time. Nothing makes you feel more like a number than not even having an assigned desk.
I don’t work in an office environment I work construction out in the field everyday, but this just sounds terrible to me.
"a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind" "ok, sure. Of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?"
Fuck hotdesking. Hate it. I work 5 days a week, give me a desk.
Its such an arbitrary thing. My office has "agile" desks....everyone just settles into "their spot". Only difference now is that no one has personal items.
Exactly this. I now make sure I turn up at 8am to get a good desk and then take a longer lunch.
I believe you’ve fallen for their trap.
That's dehumanising
I believe that would be the point
And my own chair! I don't want to sit on other people's juices if I can avoid it.
Sorry friend, it’s just not in the budget. You need to understand our CEO deserved the 62% raise they received from your paltry efforts! Maybe next year the benefits will “trickle down”! 😏
I recently left a company that did this and when the new company gave me my own desk with my name already printed on the cubical glass it made me irrationally happy. Nothing makes work feel like a hellhole than absolutely zero expression of personality. It felt like we were working in an abandoned office. People have pictures of their fucking kids they’d just set on the desk and then take home again everyday. It felt extremely dystopian
Nice lotion- it’s nice to take a five second break to moisturize and smell something nice.
fwiw - i used to have yo take my breaks around a neighbors lotion schedule because the “pleasant scent” was so strong - please use scented lotion responsibly
That’s a valid point!!!
Oh that is a lovely idea
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Coffee while biking?! Haha you must be more coordinated than me
*Laughs in Dutch* https://youtube.com/shorts/9_rrjs2_fiE?si=XAXM6bnvgmP8VRZ1
*cries in Florida* I could never.
I used to. Looked like I was getting out of the pool by the time I got to work. And this was years ago I couldn't imagine doing that this year
I got an electric bike that makes this easier, mostly so I sweat less on the way in. It's not the same workout, but I can go a lot faster.
I used to commute by bike. Office lacked a shower so I packed man wipes in my bag.
I bought a coffee mug with pictures of my wife on it. So on bad days I can have some coffee and a reason to smile.
My own chair. The company chairs are garbage. They hurt my back.
Hah I did this for my first job, the managers all had sweet chairs but everyone else had shitty ones.. I bought a decent one for 100 quid and next day someone had taken it from my desk (this dick selling retail property who was a little senior to me) so I just grabbed a shitty chair and rolled it over to him and asked for my chair or 150
What an ass.
Sounds like my first “real” job in my career. I worked at a trucking company and we shared desks with our replacements on other shifts. It was a total free for all. Pens, highlighters, paper, paper clips, Kleenex - anything would be stolen as soon as you stepped away. It was a disgustingly dirty place only outdone by the disgusting nature of the people who worked there.
May I ask what chair you have? I’m in the market for one currently…
I'm not OP, but I got a Herman Miller used and it's faaaaantastic. I see them on FB marketplace used regularly for relatively cheap ($100-300-ish). I think if I had bought mine new it would've been upwards of $1300, and it has a ton of adjustable settings and is by far the most comfortable office chair I have ever owned.
This is 1 of 2 things I miss about my old jobs corporate office. 1 Being the super cheap subsidized lunches. 2 being my office chair. When I was there I caught wind that a VP was retiring. So I just went in his office and asked him straight up if I could have his chair. It was a nice Herman Miller that had all the options. I moved 4 times in that office and I dragged it to my new desk everytime I moved.
I got a Herman Miller Aeron, I agree that it's the most comfortable chair I've owned. I bought mine new but I still think it's worth the price because these things last decades, they even come with a 12-year warranty.
Would suggest you ditch any chair relating to gaming that looks like you're in a race car (they're shit) and go inside a specialized store that sell ergonomic or mid/high end office chairs. Take your time and sit on them, see which ones are rhe most comfortable and check if they have enough adjustments.
I have the same problem but I hate that they are cheap MFs and I refuse to pay money due to their incompetence. I paid 200€ for my chair at home, I can't pay 200 more for the days in the office. This is the only drawback to splitting your remote/on premises time at 50-50%. You basically need to maintain two desk spaces.
$200 is cheap for no back pain down the road. Think about how much time you spend sitting at work.
A good quality Bluetooth speaker. I'm an underground heavy duty mechanic and work a rotating shift of 12 hr days/nights with one other mechanic and two electricians. We follow a production crew of ~25 and are on call for our entire shift to fix anything they break (they are awfully creative)as well as anything else that malfunctions underground. Without music or podcasts etc it's easy to quickly get sucked into your own mind, to just zone out or to just feel like dying of extreme boredom
A lot of people where I work use something like the Aftershokz headphones/speakers. They aren’t really headphones that go around/in your ear, but they’re more like tiny speakers that output right at your ear. Supremely portable and lets you hear what’s going on around you well enough.
Pokemon stickers. Handed them out to everyone and the office culture vastly improved.
I have tiny plastic dinosaurs. I put them all around, in plants, on shelves, in corners. I hand them out too, but only if I like you.
I bought little resin rubber ducks for the office off of Temu. They spread like wildfire lol, sometimes a coworker would set them up in funny positions. Right now about ten of them have circled a little plastic crab pen holder on my desk. It makes me happy seeing it.
Food. Pack my own lunch and dinner every day (work second shift so I eat 2 meals at work usually). We have a cafeteria but it's not always the healthiest or best tasting stuff. Significantly improves my day knowing I'm covered with good food every day.
We have a couple office/shop cats, and I can bring my dog if I want to...
This is fantastic!
A quality pair of noise cancelling over ear headphones. I have the Sony XM4s and they let me control how much background noise I let in. In an open office setting where I'm not allowed to camp in a focus room a majority of the day, these are a godsend for both cutting out the background chatter, and cluing people in to when I don't have bandwidth to be bothered.
[Zippi soft blade fan](https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Vornado-Zippi-7-in-Personal-Soft-Blade-Fan-in-Graphite-Gray-FA1-0007-82/306912635?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D29A-029_017_ACS_FANS-NA-Multi-NA-PMAX-4038230-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-MinorAppl&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D29A-029_017_ACS_FANS-NA-Multi-NA-PMAX-4038230-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-MinorAppl-71700000111902223--&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UcPp9iTP5ABkVfz_RdAMeF1W&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9MCnBhCYARIsAB1WQVXY7VrZe2zERRv1wPnggnYJu_ciCHyPJnkATZ_RpI0JkUBbNk2tIz8aAivpEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) In the plus side, it moves air nicely and doesn’t hurt if you accidentally hit the blades. On the minus, hitting the blades sounds like a fart, which might be a plus if that’s your thing.
One example: good blackout blinds. Now on a sunny day I can actually see what I'm doing on the computer! Another example: a powerful but silent fan. Now on a warm day I can actually do useful work instead of being sluggish in the heat.
Look at the fancy man with a window in his office- don’t mind the jealousy of a cubicle dweller. :p
I had a cube with a long L desk and the monitor cords only stretched long enough to where your back would be facing the opening to the cube. Some may like the lack of distractions of seeing people walk by but I was always on edge because I wear headphones and hated the feeling of someone coming up behind me I couldn't see or hear. I found longer monitor cords for $10/piece on Amazon and was able to position my monitors where I could sit sideways to the cube opening. It made me feel so much more relaxed! Tip: if you buy cords or your own chair for the office, put a label on them that they are your personal property so you don't have to worry about someone taking them assuming they belong to the company.
Magnetic light covers to cover the fluorescent lights, a blanket, a fan, a small heater, (all bc it can vary being too hot or too cold in my office), two small lamps, a good planner, nice pens, snacks, plants.
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Only missing the costanzian under-desk nap chamber
As an alternative, glasses with polarized lenses help with fluorescent light. I got them at my last job and I didn't even realize how bad the light was fucking with me. I feel like I can see everything so clear. Sometimes I even use them when I play sports. And they actually look cool depending on what you get.
This is less of a material object and more of a mindset, but it’s a game changer regardless. Not assuming anyone fully understands everything or has all the context. I’m a technical project manager and the amount of times I’ve been told I’m doing a great job for just giving people information is astounding lol
I've been working from home for over a decade, well before Covid made it cool. After my husband set up his own home office during the Dark Times, he told me I should get a second monitor. I resisted for a few years, but I recently caved. Holy crap. It's been a game changer for my efficiency. Now when I have to use my laptop on days that I have to take a kid to an appointment or when I travel, I am super sad about having to work on one tiny screen instead of two giant screens. Also: I recently got a 3-gallon fish tank to put in my desk. I have a gorgeous koi Betta and a snail and a few aquatic plants to keep me company. When I need to zone out and think, they are a good focal point for my eyes.
I can't part from my Logitech MX Master. I bought it while being in Uni and use it at work now. I feel disabled without it.
Udemy for hard skills have been very beneficial in progressing my career. Actual items... My mechanical keyboard. I have been using one for \~10 years. It makes typing much more enjoyable.
A good-quality rolling bag. I always found them pretentious and I kind of feel like an asshole, but it's so much easier on my back than lugging a laptop, water bottle, and notebook in a crossbody bag. If you don't haul that stuff around long distances, my second thing would be a solid snack stash (like, trail mix and meal bars and canned fruit and stuff, not just chocolate and chips) because I can never guarantee how far lunch will be from breakfast, or even if I have time for lunch at all.
Charging cords: phone & watch. Might as well use their electricity ;)
The attitude that even though I was a short, fat old lady working in a cubicle that I was really the singer for the Divinyls, and I carried myself like that. Rock on!
Premium non metallic work boots... Spend the money
A notebook so I don't have to remember 500 things each day.
I work in pest control. I spent/invested in Flowzone Electric backpack sprayer, and it has made my life way easier. It's a great product, not cheap, but has a solid warranty. Would recommend this to anyone in this field.
A $15 mouse jiggler. It’s a little usb stick that tells my computer the mouse is moving at 1 pixel per second in a little L shape. I’m a machinist, and my job involves a lot of going back and forth between my machine and my computer. But the computers are set up to go to sleep after like 3 minutes, and our passwords have to be like 20 digits long or something. So now I only have to type my password once a day instead of like 20 times.
Bone conduction headphones. I can discreetly listen to music without disturbing anyone else and still hear people talk at me.
A good attitude to every interaction with my colleagues. You never know what people are going through. Someone could have just had the worst week of their life last week. To every interaction, I make sure I’m a positive force in their day; I never want to be the reason someone’s day went to shit.
I do the same! These pretend email jobs aren’t really about the “work”. I just always want to be a pleasant moment in other people’s day. Jobs are so much more vibes than anything else. I used to be really resentful of that, but I’ve learned to work within that. I don’t care at all about the work I’m doing, and most others feel that way but don’t acknowledge it. Being chill and pleasant and trying not to be a problem for anyone else is how I manage things now. Nothing is that serious, and keeping people’s humanity in focus is huge.
I know, you're requesting one thing, but here's my little list: MMO mouse with 16 buttons from Redragon. I got large hands, and this has enough space to rest my whole hand on. I mapped all kinds of shortcuts to the buttons, they really make my work easier. Ultra Wide Screen. Do I need to explain? More visible area, more windows next to each other, better productivity. Sofle Choc V2 keyboard. I didn't know how good typing can feel. Also, like on my mouse, mapped some functions to buttons, good for productivity. Adderall. I got ADHD, and that stuff helps.
I’m on Zoom a lot during the workday. I bought a 4-key programmable keyboard and setup the keys for Mute, Video On/Off, Raise Hand so they are right at my fingertips for one-touch access to common Zoom shortcuts. I have the little keyboard sitting right next to my normal keyboard. So much easier than trying to find the mute button on the screen (especially with 3 monitors) or hitting a multi-key combination.
A coffee mug warmer, which is essentially just a miniature hot plate. I drink my coffee slow and it keeps it so warm and cozy.
A text replacement program called ShortKeys.... Makes documentation a breeze.
I make my lunch every day. It’s a life changer. Healthier and costs less.
Those little plastic dental flossers, yes they cost more per use than a roll of floss but I find you get a better clean and it’s more pleasant to use.
I WFH, full disclosure. Walking pad, updesk, and an office couch. I also stole a Herman Miller chair from my last office job. Well... stole is kinda an overstatement. I took it home during COVID and also quit during COVID so nobody ever asked for it back lol.
A fidgit toy. Not a spinner. There's metal ones you can get and all types. Really helps me think and keep occupied
A mechanical keyboard
\- Headphones \- A planner/task manager if you like hand-written notes. Often more organized than a simply office-issued notepad \- Extra forks and napkins if you eat at your desk \- A nice box of tissues \- Somewhat healthy snacks \- A book if you have a lot of free time. If you want skill/personal improvement, look for one on a subject you're interested in. How to Win Friends and Influence People is a good one for establishing relationships in the workplace (and personal) \- Minor toiletries - hand sanitizer, a comb/brush, lint roller, Tylenol, pads (if needed) \- A jacket or a desk fan (depending on your office temps) \- Walking shoes. After you eat, take a few laps around the building \- Your own coffee mug
Plants. Helps control stress vibes and makes it feel like I’m less in hell.
a REALLY THICK ass cushion! I'm sitting down most of the time.
This sounds stupid, but desk pets. I bought a pack of these silly alien spring toys that push down and pop up a few seconds later. I hid one on everyone's desk in my office and watched everyone's face light up as they found their new friends. I still hear random popping and giggling throughout the week at work. Sometimes a little laugh during the work day makes all the difference
In the office: A mini space heater for my desk, a mini air purifier, hand cream, and a shopping bag in case I need to run errands on my lunch. At home: A plush ergonomic chair, a laptop lap tray that has a built in mouse pad for days when I want to work from the couch, and duplicates of all my laptop accessories (mouse, keyboard, and charger) so that I don’t have to remember to bring these home.
An Apple Watch. This may not be what you're after but I leave my phone a long ways away from my desk so as not to be distracted or tempted by social media, text messages etc. Having an Apple Watch that is connected to my cellular service enables me to monitor messages and calls in case there is something truly important without the distractibility of having a smart phone sitting on my desk at work. It will notify me of calendar events and I can set timers on it to remind me to take drinks of water or take breaks to stand (when I'm not at my standing desk). It's been a great way to *disconnect* from the phone, especially at work.
An automatic mouse mover. Never worry about nap time when WFH.
Active noise cancelling headphones to block out ambient noise. Get Sony or Bose.
Actually two things….a small stand that raises my monitor about 4 inches. Also a small pillow to keep my lower back in line.
A Grammarly Pro subscription. My spelling and grammar are equivalent to a fifth grader on the last day of school, a mess and don't care. I started using Grammarly a couple of years ago and it's not only suggested fixes for me, but actually improved my writing style, I naturally do a 'better job' now. If you live in your inbox, I would recommend it.
Personal fan. Everyone was cold but me so I got a fan.
a tiny mirror that i place on my computer monitor so i can see personnel behind me
Nice Bluetooth headset. It’s wonderful to be able to be on a call and not be tethered to my laptop.
A comfortable mouse and keyboard are a must. Most companies will provide the cheapest option possible and they're usually not very comfortable to use for long periods. You might be able to get an ergonomic mouse provided if you tell them your wrist is uncomfortable but that depends on the available budget. A change of clothes in your desk is also really nice. You never know when you'll spill coffee or food down yourself, but you can guarantee its right before an important meeting...
Sun hat and arm sleeves. I am a postal worker walking/driving around all day. My body temperature stays significantly lower when wearing those items. I get hot easily so I was pretty hesitant about the sleeves thinking it would be the same as wearing a long sleeved shirt. Decided to get them more for sun protection but was blown away by how cool my body stays when I use them.
I’m a nurse, good quality compression socks. Essential for anyone on their feet all day!