Many years ago, I was getting out of an airport hotel shuttle when I heard someone call my name. When I turned around, I did not see anyone I recognized. What I did see was a friendly face who introduced himself to me as Jim Winn. In the ensuing conversation, I asked him if we had met before. He replied that no, we had not. I then asked how he knew me. He replied that he posts the photo of the new CAS Fellows at his desk so that he would learn all their names and faces. That way, when he went to a meeting, he would recognize them.
Jim Winn was a recruiter, and being able to match the names and faces of people was vital to his business. He surrounded himself with photos of people important to him — things that would help him flourish in his chosen profession. He created an environment to enable him to succeed, and succeed he did, at least with me: Twice he placed me with different companies and earned the recruiters fee.
I have tried to follow his lead, surrounding myself with objects around my workspace that I feel will help me to further my goals. I replaced my “desk toys” with functional items: a cup for pens, a coffee warmer, just the necessities. Photos are nice but are placed behind me, not on my desk. I try to separate my “work area” (i.e., top of my desk) from my “storage area,” which are file cabinets and drawers. Only the project I am working on should be on my desk. I prefer my in/out box be outside my office, not on my desk, so people dropping things in it will not interrupt my thoughts or stop to talk. I have even been known to close my office door or turn off my phone in order to concentrate uninterrupted on a task. I highly recommend it. For instance, if you are studying for exams, make your study spot conducive to success, not a distraction. At work your desk should help, not hinder, your effectiveness and efficiency.
Take a lesson from Jim Winn and surround yourself with those things that will enable you to be successful.
Jim Winn was not a member of CAS, but he was committed to helping CAS members succeed. He passed away in November 2014. Those of us who knew him will miss him.
