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- Staying focused at work can help you work smarter, not harder.
- The right tools can amplify your attention or decrease distractions like clutter while you work.
- I polled my coworkers to see what tools they keep on their desks to help them stay focused and comfortable in the office, and produce better, faster work.
The catch-22 of a communal office space lit by fluorescent light bulbs is that, in order to be your most productive, you first need to feel somewhat at home there. Stiff chairs, back pain, clutter — they’re all distractions that contribute to a longer and less enjoyable workday. Staying focused can help you work smarter, not harder, and hopefully compounds into a better position at work, greater job satisfaction, and shorter days.
The Insider Picks team tests and reviews hundreds of products — many of which are geared towards comfort and productivity. Below, you’ll find the 25 products we personally trust to keep us focused, productive, and comfortable at our desks all day.
A subtle vertical phone charger
Anker PowerWave 7.5 Fast Wireless Charging Stand, available at Amazon, $49.99
I use Anker’s PowerWave wireless charger to charge my iPhone at my desk every day. It holds my phone up vertically, so I can see when notifications pop up even when it’s charging. It’s a great, subtle-looking charger and it doesn’t cost much, so it’s a great addition to any desk, provided your phone charges wirelessly (most of the new ones do). — Malarie Gokey, senior editor
A stainless steel travel mug
Hydro Flask 12 oz Double Wall Travel Coffee Mug, available at Amazon, $29.95
I often end up running around to unexpected meetings and chats in the morning, and sometimes I'm forced to leave my coffee behind — or I just don't have time to drink it immediately. This insulated mug keeps it hot for hours, so even if a meeting runs long or I get so focused on something that I forget to drink it, it always seems to stay nice and steamy. — Sally Kaplan, editor
A posture belt for back pain
BetterBack Support Posture Belt, available at Amazon, $49.99
I swear by the BetterBack for helping me to maintain good posture at my desk and relieving both upper and lower back pain throughout the day. I have a few slipped discs in my spine, so I deal with pretty chronic discomfort. This is the only tool (not counting stretching and acupuncture) that has ever helped mitigate my pain, which helps me focus on my work instead of on my back. You can read my full review of the BetterBack here if you're interested. — Sally Kaplan, editor
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