Most people are happily back at work, getting reacquainted with peers after not working together in person for the past couple of years. While many employees are still working from home or adjusting to a hybrid schedule, it’s great to see our work family and settle into a routine. Coming back from a long break involves updating some things that may have fallen by the wayside, which means giving special attention to your desk. Most people spend an average of 5 hours and 41 minutes per day sitting at their desk, so why not make it a positive experience? Harness the energy of autumn to reinvigorate your space and your spirits. Keep reading for a handful of ways to update your desk for fall.
7 Ways to Update Your Desk for Fall
From the First Sniff
I have fallen in love with diffusers and essential oils at home, and the same feeling one gets when walking through the front door—the scent of rosemary or lemon grass—can be replicated in the workplace. The average employee spends approximately 1600 hours per year at the office, and aromatherapy can purify the air and boost your mood, all at the same time.
Before selecting a scent, check with your boss and officemates to make sure there are no allergies or particular scents people find offensive. If you want to get everyone involved, suggest an office scent where everyone gives their input, and it becomes the office “blend.” For a single office, a tiny bit goes a long way. Williams Sonoma has a wide range of porcelain reed diffusers if you prefer a low-maintenance option. Otherwise, look into the essential oil diffusers recommended by The Spruce. The aroma will freshen the air and lift your and your fellow employees’ spirits. A subtle cider scent would be a nice autumnal touch.
A Clean Surface
Take a few moments to remove absolutely everything off your desk and give it a thorough cleaning. Use soap and water, or a special cleaning product to clean and disinfect the entire desk, top to bottom. Sanitize your entire office, cleaning all high-touch areas such as tables, light switches, telephone, computer keyboard and armchairs. Once you have given your desk a complete cleaning, you can create your personal office sanctuary. By the way, cleaning once is not enough. Make a habit of washing your desk regularly to maintain its cleanliness.
Beautiful Notes
Most everyone keeps their calendar on their smartphone, but having a journal or hard copy of your agenda is a source of daily inspiration to take notes and write down favorite quotes. The value of putting pen to paper encourages higher level thinking and more focused attention. Going back and re-reading notes and noticing the date is a wonderful way to see how you have hit your goals and grown in your journey. You can also jot down what you are grateful for and hope to accomplish. A pretty notepad adds color to your desk and your life.
A Stimulating Coffee Mug
Whether you drink coffee or tea, bring in a beautiful mug that you can keep on your desk. Each time you look at it, you will be reminded of who gave it to you, where you were when you purchased it or what the story behind it means to you. I have a special coffee mug that a girlfriend gave me in July from a Christmas Tea we celebrate each year. Sipping from this mug in July reminds me of our Christmas in July tea party, and reaching for it in October or November will give me something to look forward to in a month or two. The mug should be meaningful and bring you joy.
An Inspiration Board
An inspiration board, also called a mood board, is a great way to showcase a current project or set specific goals. An inspiration board can be a beautiful way to enhance a personal or professional brand by clearly laying out expectations or desires. It can be a visual that your peers can enjoy and a form of art for the wall beside your desk.
All the Pretty Details
Fresh flowers, colorful pens, a pretty coaster and decorative office supplies all add a touch of who you are when people sit or stand at your desk. Most importantly, if you enjoy the aesthetics of your workspace, you are prone to be more creative. Fall is right around the corner, and I plan to add a few seasonal notecards to my desktop for easy access to writing a quick note of congratulations and gratitude. I will bring in some seasonal flowers and a subtle scent to put me in the mood for autumn’s bounty. But first, I plan to continue to do a weekly scrub down with a sanitizer that also has a beautiful scent – any suggestions on what I should buy?
A Drawer Full of Healthy Snacks
It feels good to know you are one drawer away from a handful of nuts or a small bag of air-popped popcorn to stave off hunger. It’s not only counterproductive to grab a candy at the snack machine, but it will make you feel worse.
For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go to” social and professional (manners) skills authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas.
You may also like The Fall Edit: Decluttering and Tidying this Autumn. See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook. Find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account and keep up with her latest tweets. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost.