Friday's Digest - The Newsletter for Doctors & Scientists

Friday's Digest #128

How to Design Your Office to Make Research More Fun

After setting up my new office at work, I was amazed at how these 3 simple items made research more fun.

Here’s how.

February 7th, 2025

Friday's Digest - The Newsletter for Doctors & Scientists

For two decades, I've been developing tools that have improved my practice in medicine, dentistry, and scientific research.

Join me every Friday to discover a new tool you can integrate into your workflow as a doctor, a scientist, or both.

I believe in sharing knowledge, embracing automation, boosting productivity, and finding joy in the process.

Life Update
Tools and Tips
Readers’ Favorite
Stuff

Life Update

Clutter

"Clutter" is the mess that builds up in your life.

It can be PHYSICAL clutter, like piles of paperwork on your desk, messy drawers, or a closet filled with clothes you never wear.

It can also be EMOTIONAL clutter, like endless to-do lists, a disorganized schedule, or that nagging feeling of "I'm too busy and have too many things to do."

Now, let's talk about MY clutter.

When we moved into our new apartment, I still had clutter in our old place.

The smart thing would have been to get rid of it before moving.

But I didn't have time...

I really didn't.

I worked full-time during the day and spent nights moving our things to the new place.

So at 4:00 am, exhausted, I threw everything into a suitcase and moved it.

Not to our actual new apartment.

Instead, I moved the clutter into our storage room downstairs.

So now I have a storage room filled with clutter.

Physical clutter.

But here's the thing— this physical clutter affects you emotionally. It turns into psychological clutter.

It becomes that annoying thought in the back of your mind—the one that won't go away until you deal with it.

So over the weekend, I spent hours sorting through this clutter and organizing everything.

I'm about 70% through.

And my mind is 70% clearer.

Some people call it "minimalism."

I simply call it "decluttering" your life.

This simple (albeit annoying) process makes you feel lighter, more free. It's amazing.

I highly recommend you give it a try with your own clutter.

Speaking of decluttering, my office at work looks so much better now.

And you know what?

It is much easier to do tasks. Especially those boring research tasks.

What did I do exactly?

Let's dive in!

Number 128

Tools and Tips

Some aspects of research aren’t fun.

They are BORING 🥱.

Writing grant proposals, submitting abstracts, revising manuscripts— the list goes on.

And let me tell you something—if you're a clinician, boredom can kill your research momentum.

Sure, there are ways to make research more productive and efficient (I wrote about it here).

But can these research tasks be FUN?

Recently, I had the chance to design my office at work.

And I was amazed at how a few simple changes made things more enjoyable. Especially those boring research stuff.

Today, I'll share these changes with you.

Let's get to it!

🔵 🪑Two Chairs

Most offices have the standard setup: a desk, a chair, and a computer screen.

Whenever I sit at the desk, I get restless.

Soon enough, I want to change position to stay awake, but I can't.

A chair is a chair, and a desk is a desk. There’s only one way to sit there.

But everything changed when I added a sofa. Sure, I don’t have a lot of space. So I chose a one-seat sofa that can turn into a bed.

My focus time increased substantially!

There's something special about working on a laptop while lounging on a sofa— shifting positions, kicking off your shoes, and relaxing.

It's a game-changer, no less 🛋️.

🔵 👩‍🏫 Whiteboard

Drawing diagrams is ESSENTIAL to research.

It's the best way to plan a manuscript and the easiest way to design an experiment (in clinical trials, we call it a "schema").

And most importantly, it helps you focus and clear your mind.

This is why I like having a whiteboard in my office. Yes, like the ones kids have at school.

I recommend hanging it on the wall facing your sofa so you can stare at it and think.

So much better than having a TV in your office.

🔵 🥃 Something You Only Have at Home

What do you do when you need a break at the office?

Usually one of two things: browse the internet or leave the office.

Neither helps your research...

This is why I keep items in my office that make it feel more like home—creating a space where you can relax without feeling like you're at work.

In my case, it's a bottle of whiskey and a couple of glasses.

🙏 Special thanks to my mentor for donating a bottle from his private collection after reading about me losing my whiskey collection 🎁.

Nothing beats dimming the lights and settling on the couch with a glass to break your routine.

It makes your office feel more like home.

And it will boost your productivity.

Cheers! 🥂

Readers’ Favorite

There are countless productivity tips out there.

But what about tips specifically for doctors and scientists?

Look no further! 😄

Here I list the productivity tools I use every day that have NEVER failed me.

Stuff

💡Gear I use - dimmable desk lamp.

My relationship with lighting changed completely after living in Boston for two years.

Homes in Boston typically have very dim lighting.

At first, I couldn't understand why everyone lived in such darkness. But gradually, I fell in love with the concept.

Dim lights are so relaxing.

So I got this cool lamp for my office.

It's like sitting next to a candle 🕯️.

And it's awesome.

Epilogue

That’s it for this issue.

If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to join Friday's Digest, visit https://newsletter.shaysharon.com

See you next week!

Shay

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