As I have been working in a focused manner over the last few months at my desk at home, I’ve discovered some things that make the experience much more enjoyable. When you sit in one place for 48 minutes straight it’s nice to have music playing, a beverage, a comfortable chair, and good lighting. When working on the computer, it’s important to have a multi button mouse and a comfortable keyboard.
I’ll list out some of the tools that have worked for me.
For background music I find that smooth jazz without vocals works the best for me. Artists like David Sanborn , Joe Sample, Earl Klugh, and Boney James top my list.
For beverages I usually like coffee or tea while I’m working. It’s nice to be able to keep the beverage warm while sitting or actually have the coffee maker in the room. An insulated caraffe works well to keep up to three cups warm for at least an hour. A coffee warmer works well for a single cup. And a personal coffee maker is great for brewing one cup of coffee, tea, or other hot beverage right at your desk.
As far as my chair goes, I’ve been trying different models at work to see what works the best. We have leather chairs, fabric chairs and one with a hard plastic back. One of the more unique models is one with an adjustable backrest. I think a chair is a personal preference as many of my co-workers like different ones. I personally like a chair that is adjustable and that has armrests.
For lighting there is a world of difference between light sources. There is the warm yellow lighting that brings out skin tones, soft flourescent lighting that is easy on the eyes, or a special lighting that simulates real sunlight. What really seems to help is a desk lamp to brighten your work area. Since bulbs are cheap I would recommend trying a few different kinds and see what works for you.
A few months back I picked up a great computer mouse that was inexpensive but had some internet enabled buttons on the sides. This little unit really speeds up web searches as it has a back and forward buttons for web browsing. This reduces arm movement and makes the whole browsing experience much more enjoyable. This is especially helpful if you have a large widescreen monitor.
To finish up your computer interface you might want to try one of the new slightly ergonomic comfort curve keyboards. These have a slight curve to them for comfort but without being cumbersome.
And to finish off your focused working environment a digital countdown timer is a must. This will give you feedback when you need it and keep you on task.
Well my timer is going off… you might want to check out our other articles on Optitasking and working in a focused manner.
The Amazing Power of Optitasking
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5 Responses to 'Optitasking Tools'
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Hey,
Just so you know, I’m not going to read or link to a site that’s so encrusted with affiliate links.
How’s that working for you?
I think maybe if you keep them down to one or two per article it’ll be better. People won’t think so much that you’re just trying to hawk product. Maybe better to write long, well-thought essays that make people want to come back, build up massive traffic and make your money off the 1-2% CTR google ads.
That’s just my take though…
If Foofoo had taken a few more seconds, Foof would have seen that you don’t generally include a bunch of links in your articles. I just click on ones that appeal to me and move on.
Anyway, music and chairs are personal choices. Mostly I prefer no music when I’m working, but I have a co-worker who likes to listen to rock at work. Everyone is different.
Thanks for the reply Foofoo. I appreciate your insight. Ads and product links are an interesting dichotomy. Would my post have been better without them? Would my readers be better off without knowing about the items I listed?
Those are good questions.
Personally I like product links on sites that I visit. I’ve found many interesting items on blogs and websites that I would never have known about unless the person behind the website had linked to them.
A couple of the items I listed today, the timer and the natural daylight bulb, are products that people rave about and I found out about from other sites.
As Blogger Steve Pavlina says…
If you do decide to generate income from your blog, then don’t be shy about it. If you’re going to put up ads, then really put up ads. Don’t just stick a puny little ad square in a remote corner somewhere.
If you’re going to sell products, then really sell them. Create or acquire the best quality products you can, and give your visitors compelling reasons to buy.
Interesting advice…
John
I was searching online for ergonomic chairs and decided not to buy a new Herman Miller chair, it was so expensive. I checked the consumer reports on ergonomic desk chair which convinced me that I want it so I bought it used online and it is really a chair to prevent an aching lower back with the lumbar support adjustable seat. Kudos!
Oh no no no no. Aeron chair is just right for its price bro. It is comfy and so relaxing. In fact i got mine relax the back shop.