Things to Keep at Your Desk to Maximize Productivity

No matter how much you are in love with your career, you’re probably going to struggle with productivity and motivation at some point. Burnout and desk boredom can happen to even the most passionate of employees. Sometimes the cure requires a vacation or a day off, but most often your productivity issues can be solved with a few easy additions to your desk. I believe that the best way to get sh*t done and stay on top of your life is to be prepared for every eventuality. “Be prepared or die” is basically my life motto, and I can assure you that this motto has helped me survive every catastrophe (like an early visit from Aunt Flow or brand new shoes turning against my tender feet) without missing a beat at work.

When you’re feeling sluggish, a simple snack and light caffeine boost can turn the afternoon around in a jiffy. When you’re flat out BORED and uninspired, your favorite playlist and some headphones can create some fresh energy for you. Almost any kind of discomfort, like being too hot or too cold, can be fixed by keeping the appropriate tools stored at your desk. Here’s my complete list of every single thing you should keep at your desk to increase your productivity and improve your overall work day.

For Temperature Control

• Erin Condren Floral Ink Sherpa Throw
• Deny Designs Let’s Cuddle Throw Blanket
• OPOLAR Mini USB Table Desktop Personal Fan

For When You Need an Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

• Boss Lady White Travel Mug
• Wu-Long Tea
• Mio Energy Liquid Water Enhancer
• High Brew Cold Brew Coffee
• Clay Art Caffeine is the New Black Coffee Mug

For Optimizing Your Organization

• Pilot G2 Retractable Gel Ink Roller Ball Pens
• Emily Ley To Do Notepad
• Nate Berkus Pencil Holder, Gold
• Day Designer Planner
• Emily Ley Pineapple Paper Clips
• Erin Condren Snap-In Stylized Sticky Notes in Watercolor

For Making Your Desk Feel Like Home Away From Home

• 3 Foot Stainless Steel Charging Cable
• Umbra Prisma Picture Frame
• Satechi Aluminum Bluetooth Wireless Headphones, Rose Gold
• Erin Condren Stay a While Metallic Art Print

For When You Get Hangry

• KIND Bars
• TERRA Vegetable Chips
• Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws
• SkinnyPop Popcorn
• Chef’s Cut Gluten Free Jerky

For Taking Care of Any (Small) Health Emergency or Wardrobe Malfunction

• Ouch! Sweetheart Deluxe Bandages
• Shappy Safety Pins
• Hollywood Fashion Secrets Lint Removing Sheets

For When You Need a Confidence Boost

• amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
• e.l.f. Mattifying Blotting Papers
• Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
• Urban Decay Perversion Mascara