*I received products. Opinions and story, are my own.
I say it time and time again, I WILL get my work space organized this year, I just will. Then, the WHOLE year goes by and soon, it is time to think about New Year Resolutions AGAIN. And guess what? My work space NEVER got that overhaul… Yep. That is how it goes, year after year.
I refuse to allow that to happen again, this year, though. I just refuse! Time to get things organized and uncluttered! This year, I actually wrote things down, that I want/need to get done this year. That is the FIRST step for me. I also realized, there are a few things MISSING from my work area that I need to make me happy and actually feel like working.
Here are 5 Things You Need In Your Work Area:
1. Cork Board or Dry Erase Board: Do not store everything (like I do!) in your brain. From blog posts (if you are a blogger) to things you have to do, WRITE THEM DOWN and hang it in front of your work space so that way you are always looking at it.
2. Hang your kids artwork on the walls (if you don’t have children, hang a picture/s up that make you smile!). I hang my kids artwork on my walls around my work space to remind me WHY I am working so hard each day! It actually encourages me on those rough days!
3. If you live in a dark, wet and dreary state like I do (Thanks Washington!), I highly encourage you to purchase one of those ‘happy lights’! I have this on my list of things to buy for my work space. I have heard great things about those, lights! I certainly NEED one!
4. Make sure you have plenty of pens, markers, pencils and highlighters (and what ever else writing utensils you prefer) and store them in your desk. Also, keep plenty of paper so you can grab easily and write stuff down. Think conference calls and no paper, ya, that SUCKS…
5. Chewing gum. Yes, chewing gum. Why? Because when I feel like I absolutely cannot write another blog post or am nearly falling asleep on my keyboard, chewing gum keeps my jaws busy, and in turn keeps me awake. Sounds silly, but it works for me!
I enjoy shopping at OfficeMax, which is very close to us, for all of my office supplies such as printer ink, paper, pens, highlighters, dry erase boards and more! Plus, the prices are just right! Hmm, I wonder if they sell chewing gum and happy lights too??
What products do you keep in your work area, to keep you going during the day?
Lily Kwan says
Great list of suggestions! I hadn’t heard of happy lights before.
Sarah L says
I need some fun things to look at and a white board. Got most of the other things.
Bryan E. says
Chewing gum keeps blood flowing to the brain ! …I keep paper & envelopes at the ready as well. Oh, and water.
Tammy Woodall says
All of your tips on you need at your work station hits the nail on the head. I have an erase Board and it does help remind me of important appointments. I’ve never thought of using Gum before, your right, that is a good way to stay awake.
Buddy Garrett says
Another thing I keep is a dictionary because I am a bad speller.
Michelle Tucker says
Great ideas. I always seem to have my desk in a dark place, so light and some way to make it cheery is a great idea! 🙂
Melinda Stephens says
I have everything except my son’s artwork. He’s not really into drawing yet.
charlotte hess says
I love your website and the quilt I saw is gorgeous
Richard Hicks says
They are all really necessary and even the gum. I don’t know what I would do if it was not for gum!!!! OfficeMax is my goto store for supplies
Margot C says
A good list, though instead of gum I just eat Snickers.
sheila ressel says
Definitely useful tips and ones I will put to use as soon as I have my work space cleared, lol!
Joy Q says
Thank you for the ideas.
Annette says
I keep my iPad next to my laptop, so I can listen to music while I work.
Karissa Bills says
chewing gum is a great idea!
Jerry Marquardt says
Thank you for the pointers, I usually only kept the phone, pen & paper in the area. But now I think I will listen to you and use your help.
Maria C says
wonderful thanks
Jean D. says
I can’t chew gum, because I have a TMJ injury after a car wreck. But I’d love a happy light! As soon as Daylight Savings Time ends, I’m droopy until spring.
laurie murley says
great idea i always dont have what i need at the time i need it
Jill Myrick says
Other than my computer my work area consist of a notebook, pens, a good light, kleenex and a good hair clip.
jweezir43[at]gmail[dot]com
Alona Y says
I love this little space, and the privacy of the curtain! Mine is a constant mess. I have seen great pins and posts of making a decorative dry erase type board by using a glass picture frame and dry erase markers.
hannah Harris says
I too do these things
Heather Hollands says
I am a teacher and rely most on two crates for files as well as file trays. Gotta keep those papers organized!
shaunie says
Number two! I can actually agree with. This will make the day go by faster too
Toni Marie Caravello Feimer says
I love the little desk idea. I am sure I can find somewhere in this house for that so I am not always using the dining room table.
Rosanne says
I keep water, coffee, calculator, paper, pen
Amanda Martin says
Happy lights are the best to boost your mood on rainy days!
Alison says
Great tips! I definitely need to hang some family artwork on my walls.
Elicia P says
I actually keep nothing special. Although, I need pencils. I love writing in pencil. I loved it in college and still continue.
You know, if I screw up writing something I can erase it!
Dede says
My desk area is a complete disaster area. The thing I must have, though, is a notepad or calendar with a pencil.
Rebecca Parsons says
I store a lot of index cards. It is the one thing I use to write everything down like recipes or notes to myself.
Dandi D says
Well, my work area involves kids and lots of toys.
Karen N. says
great tips I keep my phone charger, my single cup coffee machine is in my office, my cell
Lula Ruger says
nice list and great tips thanks for this article
Jacquelyn Cannon says
I keep extra office supplies in my desk.
Cynthia R says
Since I don’t have an office room, I have to piece together a corner to incorporate office things.
Anita Duvall says
I love all your tips and would add: LOTS of Coffee!
nickie says
I love your list. I keep inspirational posts around my desk, to keep me motivated
Birdiebee says
Great ideas! And yes, I know what you mean about living in a dreary state. I used to live in Washington, then Idaho and now Montana. It is quite dreary here in the winter and we have lots of air inversions.
shannon says
I work from my home office every day and I have issues hiding all the cords from my phones, computer and all the things I have set up. Having multiple monitors is tough. The clutter is insane!
Rana Durham says
Thanks for article and thanks for telling me how to are a cork and ry erase board the right way!
CR Williams says
I don’t really have a work area to begin with!
Kimberly O says
Because I spend most of my waking hours in my work space, I like to keep things that make me smile close by – photos, silly calendars, toys (a one minute yo-yo stress break is great therapy). Thanks,
Sandy Cain says
A bottle of Cherry Coke, or a mega-sized espresso, along with a pack of Newport 100’s keeps me going! No doubt that’s why I’m going for a 6 hour stress test on the 20th. If you see no posts after that, you’ll know I failed the test!
Jennifer Heintz says
Good list. My substitution for chewing gum is hard candy. Now if I could just get motivated to get some of those things on my lists done!
Charlene S. says
I love your list. I keep inspirational quotes on my magnetic board to keep me motivated while working 🙂
courtney b says
I know it’s crazy but I have a little fridge by me for my drinks!
lol thanks !:) 🙂
Les Johnson says
Great suggestion about the artwork. I need to be surrounded by things that make me happy and/or inspire me. Hanging a child’s artwork is a great idea.
Nancy says
I keep a cup of water beside me.
James Robert says
Love your chewing gum comment, maybe I need to try that one myself. Orgainization is key and I need to do more of it myself
Elena says
I keep snacks and water bottle in my home office
Kelly says
Great tips. I think that having enough pens and such is vital. I find that I run out of pens all the time. Never can have too many. Plus if I have to leave the office, to go get a pen, I quickly find myself doing the dishes or vacuuming.
Karen Glatt says
These are all great things to have in my home office. I chew gum, and that is such a good idea for me to stay awake is by chewing gum. But, I am organized my office space now, and I need to get Cork Board or Dry Erase Board! That is such a good idea!
vickie Couturier says
I keep a maginfiying glass so I can read the tiny little words and numbers even with my glasses,,and I keep lots of sticky notes
Ashley Bree Perez says
I would love this!
Cheryl says
I have nearly all of these in my work area, but it’s piled up and I hate to say how old the stuff on my corkboard is.
sonja samples says
great ideas. i agree with the ph charger that others stated.
Dana Rodriguez says
We are setting up a home office for my fiance’. Thanks for the tips!
Tina Bredbury says
I keep my phone charger, snacks, water, and my kids 🙂
Sandy Klocinski says
One thing I keep in my work area is a spare phone charger
Kim Delatorre says
I love this idea! Definitely need that!