When I was a kid my dad would get me to make a timetable stating how many hours I would study a day. And once I had put that down on paper it was a commitment that I needed to follow up on. If I said that I would be studying from say 4PM to 5:30PM then I needed to be at my desk studying at that time. Because my dad believed that studying happened in front of a desk- not while lolling on a bed or while watching TV!

So as a kid I had my desk, at which I sat and studied- or pretended to study, which happened very often- while thumbing through an exciting western kept underneath.

As a result of that training, I have come to view the desk as my most productive place of work. If I needed to ‘get something done’ I would sit at my desk and write, read (actually I can read anywhere- another habit developed in adversity!!!), watch movies and even eat!  I have never been one of those who are able to sit on their bed and work on the laptop. And I can’t imagine getting any work done in front of a TV!

So while watching this video on TED by Jason Fried of 37Signals, I started thinking to myself: where and when am I at my most productive?

And I guess for me it is my desk in the office- but like he says, only if I am there before anyone else comes in or after everyone has left! Because like most people, during office hours my time is sucked away with mind numbing meetings and other inane tasks! Before I became I manager I was impressed when people told me that they were busy in meetings the whole day! Now I know better! I empathise! I think we could easily cutout 75% of our meetings and become much more productive! Say it through email or just drop in, stand in the doorway and get it off your chest! But please don’t sit!

My take on meetings: If you really NEED to have one, do it standing! That way everyone will want to get it over with as soon as possible!

I also say the office because while I do have a desk in my room, it is too close to my bed to be very effective! You know what I am talking about- the ‘let-me-take-a-five-minute-break-which stretches-into-an-hour-long-snooze’ syndrome!

So what’s your favourite place to get things done?