Zen College Life

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Superman had a fortress of solitude. It was a magical wonderland, apart from the rest of the world, where he could go to really get some thinking done.Now I’m sure that crumby little desk you have in the corner of your room has done you fine these last few years, but I suggest that to be great, you must surround yourself with greatness.That includes the equipment you use to get your work done, the people you choose to have around you, and the things you choose to spend your time doing.

Today I’m going to focus on the place you spend time doing your most important things, or your “Fortress of Solitude.”

Superman did not live in his fortress of solitude. He went there when things got heavy and he really needed solitude, when he needed to figure things out. Chances are you and I don’t have the luxury of having a secret place where we can get away. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t turn our place of work into a “get away.”

Why would you want to do this? How could this boost productivity? The answer is simple. You will be more productive if you love where you work. Now obviously this doesn’t mean you can be most productive on surf board off of the coast of Hawaii, but you get my point.

So let’s get down to the building of your ‘fortress.’ I’ll cover the basics here, but to get the most out of this you are going to have to think about what kind of work you do, and what would allow you to be at your peak productivity level.

Lighting: This is probably the most important aspect of your Fortress of Solitude. After experimenting a little with different bulbs and such, I would recommend getting a couple of Compact Fluorescent light bulbs, with the brightness and whiteness of your choice. Also, for those who read a lot, a good, high quality desktop lamp is a great investment. Trust me, your eyes will thank you.

Chair: For many of us college students, a chair is where we spend most of our day. Whether it’s a classroom, the library, a car, or the dinner table, one thing they all have in common is a general lack of real comfort. While this may be fine for those things, a good comfortable chair is what will attract you to your fortress the most. The luxury of sitting in your big tall throne getting ready to manage your most important affairs will make you feel like the king of England. It will also make you feel like your work is important, and thus you will be inclined to work harder.

Desk: not all desks are created equal. You need to find a size that fits, with all of the accessories you need in a desk. For some this is a large flat tabletop, and for others this includes all kinds of shelving on the desk. Do your research, find out what will work best for you.

Tech Tools: Some of these are important for all, and some are just for the real techies. If you can understand the following, you are a techie… OMG, LOL, Hi2U, n00b. For those of you who didn’t understand, it’s nerd language. (for those of you who did understand, I feel the pain of the term ‘nerd’) Anyways, let’s dive right in.

Computer: For the techies, a good desktop and laptop computer are necessary. But if you can do without having both, spend enough money to get a good quality machine. I would recommend a laptop before a desktop. With computer prices where they are, a laptop just seems more practical, and takes up less space. (Plus it makes you look cooler)

Good Quality Speakers: It’s always a good time for music. If I’m studying, its classical, if I’m writing, it’s whatever mood I’m in, if I’m upset, the loudness mirrors my anger. And if you are taking a break, a good video is always nice. Low quality speakers just won’t cut it. Choose a budget and get the best you can afford.

A second monitor: twice the screen real-estate, twice the amount of work that can be done. Don’t believe me? Ask anyone who uses multiple monitors.

Dry Erase Board: here is where you can brainstorm, make shopping or to do lists, plan out future projects, or do just about anything quickly and graphically. Plus, sometimes you just don’t want to type an idea.

A desktop gadget: This includes those Zen gardens (rocks and sand), a Zen fountain, a nano-aquarium, or any other gadget that isn’t distracting but offers extra stimulation. I have a nano-aquarium with 3 fish. It’s not large enough to distract me while I work, but it is amazingly relaxing to watch them when I take a break. One of the best 50 bucks I ever spent.

A filing system: This is where everything paper goes. A mini filing cabinet and 500 manila folders might set you back 50 bucks, but it is money well spent. You will always know where the manual for your ipod, laptop, and even washing machine is, and so much more.

Radio/MP3 player: Use this to play your music instead of your computer, that way you aren’t distracted from work changing songs, or finding a certain band. Music is meant to be stimulating and relaxing during work, not a distraction from it.

Ambiance: This is what makes your fortress yours. Express yourself here, it’s YOUR fortress, it should scream your name. Anyone who walks into your fortress should see and feel that this is an extension of you. Use posters, artwork, plants, fans, decorations, and just about anything else that won’t hinder your productivity in your fortress. Make it a place you love.

There are a million other things that could make your Fortress of Solitude really stand out. For me it’s vivid colors, fish, and my bamboo. What makes your fortress scream your name?

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