I have a really, really messy desk.
I apologize to my coworkers on the regular and have the nasty habit of making false promises to tidy up one day.
With everything out of order, I often wonder about what my desk says about me. I decided to look to Terkel for answers.
What Does Your Desk Say About You?
From my family to my favorite author and dog, here are five answers to the question, "What subjects are in the pictures on your desk, and why?"
- My Wife and Children
- My Cat
- Sarah Brightman (my Muse)
- My Husband (who is My Business Partner!) and Child
- Kurt Vonnegut and My Dog
My Wife and Children
I've always had a very strict rule that when I close my laptop for the day, it stays closed and it becomes family time. I don't check email; I don't go back into the office—work time is work time and family time is family time. That said, having a reminder on my desk to hurry and be done for the day so that work time can transition to family time is very much appreciated.
Dragos Badea
CEO, Yarooms
My Cat
My desk is home to a picture of my beloved cat, Mouse. My family got Mouse shortly after I graduated college and moved away from home, so in many ways, she has become an important reminder of my connection to my family and our unconditional love for each other.
She is always there, even when the miles between us widen. Looking at her photo brings a warm feeling to my heart and gives me the motivation I need to work hard despite any obstacles that come my way. My cat reminds me that nothing can separate me from the people and things I love.
Lorien Strydom
Executive Country Manager, Financer.com
Sarah Brightman (my Muse)
Having been a huge fan of Sarah Brightman for 20+ years, I keep a picture of her on the bulletin board above my desk. Aside from the fact that her music heals, soothes, and inspires, she is also the entrepreneurial example I aim to follow. She is unapologetically herself and has been intentional about her brand and career. She inspires me to do the same and be fearless about following my dreams.
Alli Hill
Founder and Director, Fleurish Freelance
My Husband (who is My Business Partner!) and Child
This is always a funny question to me as a serial entrepreneur whose main business partner is my husband. We've been in business together for over a decade, starting various companies, selling them off, or continuing to run them in a reduced capacity as time has gone by.
This, naturally, means we get to spend a lot of time together both at home and in a work context. This, in my opinion, makes the family dynamic even more important, so keeping a picture of my husband and child on my desk is a good reminder of that on the more hectic days you run into.
Kate Kandefer
CEO, SEOwind
Kurt Vonnegut and My Dog
I have a picture of Kurt Vonnegut on my desk. He was an American author and humorist, known for his intriguingly satirical perspective. He is most notably known for writing Slaughterhouse-Five (1969) (and also my favorite novel of his), Cat's Cradle (1963) and Breakfast of Champions (1973).
The reason I keep this picture of him typing away at his typewriter is to remind myself that I have to "put in the work." I mean this both for my day-to-day digital marketing role and for my night-time creative writing sessions.
Oh, and I have a picture of my dog on my desk as well. Because I love him.
Roksana Bielecka
Community Manager, ResumeHelp
Submit Your Answer
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