As I observe the desks of my colleagues over the years I notice that people bring a lot of their home to work, in the form of aunt Agatha's recipe book, the kid doodles and legos and latest birthday necklaces. Cute but please keep it by your bedside. Unless you also sleep at work (like Castanza then you are excused).
Perhaps because they also bring work to their homes in the form of their crackberries, iphones or laptop computers and keep fingering it even on weekends. I subscribe to neither. I do work out of my home at times and that is business hours. I do not take my home life to work either. I have no other living material growing in the office space or showcase family pictures or any other knick knacks that people seem to accumulate over time including some wine their former boss passed them three Xmases ago. I make an effort to also ditch all paper since theoretically we are living in the land of paperless offices.
I am not a fan of any organized sport or religion either so that helps to declutter my surroundings. Same with all manners of food products - which in America you can procure within minutes. So why keep them at your desk? Frankly the desk is also an outdated man made concoction since you can connect remotely any time any where. Marissa Mayer at Yahoo thinks different. But hey to each her own.
Unless you are in a classroom type setting or where you need to enjoy the complete chemistry of the larger populations you are not adding any incremental value to a conversation or deal by just being there (with or without your accouterments).
You are a farmer you have to be in the office - you cannot remotely trim your crop or check for infections - at least not yet. Same with food processing or medical advice and services. Some of the latter can be managed through a camera and a high speed data connection but it has its shortcomings.
Finally on the subject of books that people like to show off including trophies and titles and awards - that accumulate space in their offices - they are more a distraction than anything. If I came to talk to you I do not really care if you got a five year award for outstanding service. I am interested in your servicing my needs now while I am INSITTING!
I like chocolates. Godiva Dark with Almonds - not sure of the naked woman on the horse to be the icon of some choice cocoa based products but tastes good. Started in Belgium but now owned by some Turks. Cadburys - Fruit and Nut Milk Bars - awesome combination of dried fruit pieces along with a medley of nuts makes your toungue dance - started by a Brit now owen by Kraft USA. Lindt Hazelnut spheres - made by a Swiss confectioner are divine balls that melt in your mouth with a lingering nutty taste Ghirardelli Milk Crisp Squares - crunchy and light these milk squares are easy on the palate but pack some serious calories - all good I say! Originally founded by an Italian who moved around till he landed in SF Bay today also owned by the Swiss Lindt empire.
The books in your office show how intelligent you were ..the tense is past, unfortunately. Present is there for all to see, in plain view.
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