How I set up my workspace for productivity

My focus on creating an optimal desk setup began during the Covid pandemic, when working from home became the norm.

After a few long days filled with back-to-back calls, I noticed I was experiencing back pain and realized I needed to make a change.

Having used standing desks during my time at Salesforce, I knew they could make a big difference.

After researching my options, I discovered Omnidesk and decided to invest in one. I also reached out to the company, expressing my interest in collaborating with them.

To my delight, they selected me as their first non-gaming creator to partner with.

Here is the first version of my desk setup:

Within just a few months, I became one of Omnidesk's top-performing affiliates.

It’s been about four years since that journey began.

At AlphaSense, I now work in a hybrid model, spending three days a week working from home. Over time, my desk setup has evolved significantly, becoming more advanced and tailored to my needs.

When designing my workspace, I focus on three key areas: optimizing for productivity, prioritizing health, and ensuring a great customer experience.

Here’s a look at what my current setup looks like today, and let me walk you through the details:

1. Productivity

A desk should enable your productivity. I find that often, a cluttered desk can overwhelm your senses, making it harder to focus.

With a clean and organized desk, you create a calmer, more peaceful environment that naturally lowers stress and anxiety.

One small addition which helps me is really adding a touch of nature with live plants. I realized incorporating plants into your desk setup can have a profound impact on your well-being and creativity.

The presence of greenery not only brings a sense of tranquility but can also enhance your creative thinking.

Even a small plant can make a significant difference. When choosing a plant, based on Fengshui, it’s important to pick one that thrives indoors and has rounded, soft leaves to promote gentle, nurturing energy (e.g., a jade plant, lucky bamboo, or a peace lily).

In addition to having live plants, I wanted the table to be made of a material that could connect me to nature. My desk, crafted from Suar Wood (Raintree Wood) by Omnidesk, beautifully brings the essence of nature indoors.

The natural edge of the wood, with its unique curves and contours, adds a touch of the organic world to my workspace.

Suar Wood is also a sustainable choice. As Raintrees grow quickly and abundantly, it offers an eco-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on style or quality.

2. Health

Sitting for extended periods can strain your back and neck , leading to discomfort.

A standing desk offers a simple yet effective solution to this problem, helping to alleviate back pain by encouraging better posture and reducing pressure on your spine.

To get the most out of your standing desk, it’s recommended to alternate between sitting and standing every 30 minutes to an hour.

I personally rely on my Garmin watch to remind me to move when I've been inactive for too long.

You might also wish to consider investing in an Ergonomic Chair.

I’ve found that the Embrace Pro chair, which we also donated to a boarding facility for lower-income students as part of the DREAMS campaign, offers exceptional support.

This is designed to support the natural curve of your spine, promoting healthier sitting habits.

Besides using a standing desk and ergonomic chair, one of the most effective ways to combat back pain is to decompress your spine with bar hangs.

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3. Good client experience

I do a lot of meetings and want to create a good experience for my listener.

Good audio is a non-negotiable part of this.

Research shows that viewers are more likely to abandon a video due to poor audio than poor video quality. If your microphone quality is subpar, it can be hard for your audience to clearly understand you, leading to frustration and disengagement.

For my setup, I rely on a microphone arm paired with the RODE NT-USB Mini.

I complement this with a high-quality microphone. I can position the mic closer to my mouth, enhancing sound clarity and minimising unwanted background noise.

This setup ensures that every word is crisp and clear, keeping your clients engaged and fully focused on the message you’re delivering.

As for my keyboard, I am using the Varmilo Beijing Opera Keyboard.

If you'd like to improve your desk setup, you can also use my promo link for a discount on Omnidesk.

In case you missed this:

I was in London for a work event a few days back.

We had a guest speaker, Julie Chakraverty. She was able to achieve a lot despite being a minority and at a young age. In 2013 she was recognized in The Times newspaper as the youngest female director of a FTSE-100 company, aged 41.

One of the career advice she provided, stood out to me a lot as I have been struggling to balance efficiency and people’s feelings.