Professors - What a Desk Is

By Meggin McIntosh

Surely I don't need to tell you what a desk is, do I? Well, given my 30+ years observing desks in the offices of professors (and essentially every other profession), apparently people could use some reminding about what a desk is. Here are some ideas to keep in mind.

A desk is....

1. A place to work (writing grants, grading papers, drafting agendas, putting together tenure papers, and so forth). You must have the space on your desk to do this kind of work.
   
2. A place to think (muse, wonder, goal-set, strategize). You need to have a desk free of a multitude of distractions so that your mind can wander and do the amazing work that it was created to do.
   
3. A place to read (mail, letters, articles, essays, journal articles, and the like). You want to have the space to do this type of reading, without distraction and without losing something you're reading in the midst of a pile of other items.
   
4. A place to create (plans, presentations, lessons, calendars, research concepts). Your brain is set up to create. Prepare space on your desk where you can create without distraction.
   
5. A place to write (articles, proposals, grant applications, thank you notes, speeches, lists, ideas). It is certainly much easier to write on a flat surface rather than having your writing pad, note, letter you're signing precariously perched atop books, folders, tools, or whatever else might be scattered around on your desk.
   
6. A place to sketch & mindmap (ideas, plans, directions, workshops). Certainly, software exists to sketch and mind-map, oftentimes, a pad, a pen or marker, and a flat surface is all you need to put your mental model onto paper.
   
7. A place to process (what you've read, what you've heard, what you have in your in-box). Thinking is what you are paid to do. Problem solving is part of why you have a brain. Sitting and thinking and processing at your desk...very nice.
   
8. A place to hold meetings (with one--or more than one--other person). It is ever so much more pleasant (and more professional) to be able to meet in your office without having to apologize for the state of your desk.
   
9. A place to listen (to someone in your office or someone on the telephone). Multi-tasking is really not an option. You don't want the 'noise' of a cluttered desk pulling you away from listening to the person right in front of you or the one on the other end of the phone line.
   
10. And just in case the previous listing didn't help, according to The American Heritage Dictionary, a desk is "1. A piece of furniture typically having a flat or sloping top for writing and often drawers or compartments. 2. A table, counter, or booth at which specified services or functions are performed."

Can you describe your desk using these definitions? If not, why not?

Let me pose this question: "Does being peacefully productivity frighten you, just a little?" Don't worry. Both your reputation and your self-esteem will benefit from improved organization. Students, colleagues, your administrators, and other members of the public will notice...and you might enjoy your job even more, too!

Keep moving forward on your goals for more peaceful productivity. Join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin's weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following websites): **Top Ten Productivity Tips (http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com) **From the Desk of Meggin McIntosh (http://FromtheDeskofMegginMcIntosh.com) (c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Productivity Professor"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!